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Four albums deep and on the promo run for his latest LP, W.ants W.orld W.omen, this week SoulCulture caught up with a certain Mr Andwele "Dwele" Gardner. He needs little introduction; something of a figurehead for today's Soul music - "neo" or otherwise - the Detroit-based singer, songwriter and producer became a staple voice in the next soul wave ever since his first single "Find A Way" dropped in 2003 from his debut release on Virgin Records, Subject. Today's subjects are the pros and cons of being accessible online - namely, how the singer reacts to blunt fan feedback on Twitter and how social networking sites present useful opportunities for him to connect with those who'd like to work with him, with no other means of contacting him. He also talks about his feelings on watching the current sagas among his friends and several time collaborators Slum Village unfold publicly online. But first, we start with the new album....

London-born, Bournemouth-raised, singer-songwriter Louise Golbey works hard, very hard. Without a record company or even management behind her she has over the years steadily built a solid reputation on the live scene as one to watch. All this has been achieved whilst holding down a part-time job. Still, the hectic schedule hasn’t taken its toll on Louise’s disposition. The ever-genial songstress exudes even more warmth off-stage than she does on. Golbey’s musical journey seemed to have been written in the stars. She comes from a long line of entertainers; a grandfather who played violin for silent movies, a pianist uncle, a mother who’s an amateur vocalist and a multi-instrumentalist father. Louise herself first treaded the boards at six years old having been exposed to musical theatre by her mum. Meanwhile her Hip Hop loving brother was introducing little Louise to pioneers such as De La Soul and her interest in soul music was piqued by her parents’ Motown collection.