Since helming Creative Loafing a few years ago, Carlton Hargro has helped the alternative weekly be more reflective of the Charlotte community it covers. He’s a huge fan of comic books, good conversation, and music – great music.
What dead singer would you most like to bring to Charlotte for a concert and why?
I would bring back the late, great Donny Hathaway for sure. He’s really one of the most influential, authentic and soulful acts who’s ever lived; his music is a stark contrast to 90 percent of the crap infecting the mainstream recording industry these days.
What song brings back the most memories for you? Why?
The song that brings back the most memories for me is “Nothing From Nothing” by Billy Preston. I just remember my father playing this (and other) cuts on the 8-track player when I was a kid. It’s a universal song that kids and adults of any age and race can immediately feel, relate to and groove to after just one listen.
What’s your favorite musical era? Why?
Well, I don’t know if it’s an era, but I just love, like, every R&B song made from 1979 to around 1983. I’m talking about stuff like “Nights” by Billy Ocean, “You Know How to Love Me” by Phyllis Hyman, “Nights Over Egypt” by the Jones Girls and (my favorite) “When Love Calls” by Atlantic Starr, among many others. All the songs from this period — sort of a post-disco, pre-house era — are set to this mellow and melodic, yet thumping, soundscape. It’s incredible dancing music.
How has Charlotte’s local music scene changed in the last five years?
Well, slowly I see people seeking out non-commercial artists and forms of music. But it’s happening slowly.
What current underground artist would you most like to bring here and why?
I would love to see the singer Omar play in Charlotte. He’s been around since the early 1990s and plays to enthusiastic fans in Atlanta about once per year. A lot of people say he would bomb here — since not many folks have heard of him. But his music (which blends soul with electronic, African, Latin and West Indian sounds) is mind-blowing.
