BEHIND THE MUSIC

*SOTONES*

At the beginning of the year, I decided It best I learned the ways of the industry. Its all well and good I want to sing, but I have to put the effort in to sustain a career out of my voice. Without knowledge I was shooting in the dark.

So I hopped onto my laptop to scour the net, in order to find a local Independent Record Label. Being London I found a few but only a couple got back to me and I chose - Sotones - http://sotones.co.uk/?page_id=2
The person I would be reporting to was Joe Parker Aka 'Lonely Joe Parker'. At his house where the magic happens. www.myspace.com/lonelyjoeparker
The initial meeting was daunting he gave me a brief run down about what the Label is about, how it works, what they do, what the artists do and so on. One thing that stuck out was the time line - How long it takes for a new artist to reach press, public and on to popularity/fan-base - All in all, 4 years! Man Ill be pushing 30 if I don't get a move on! ;)
Joe also gave me a quick lowdown on social networks that are useful for Bands, DJ's, Producers, Soloists:
Facebook.com
Pelime.com
Myspace.com
Soundcloud.com
Theres also a need for a more professional page for PR/Management, Gigs etc...But the more pages you have the more constant bio updates you'll have to amend. :-/

For the next few weeks I was assigned a few small jobs, that admittedly I weren't too good at and being easily distracted I hated being in a room alone, or staring (glazed eyed) at a screen doing administrative work. But what did I expect?? I'll bloody well tell you what I expected - I expected to be laughing and joking (which I did) sit down with a cuppa (which I did) and learn that its all a piece of piss - to put it kindly - That people where happy to take you on (anywhere & all the time), promote you (forever), listen to you (forever), touring was for free (I didn't expect that really) and everything else was wonderland, ferrets and unicorns! WRONG :)
Through my dismay I did learnt a great deal; I helped find promotional mediums for Anja Mc Closkey's US tour. I thourghly enjoyed this because it showed me it is possible to uphold information with help. I truly love Anja's voice her music is designed to make your mind wonder into a rhelm of surrealism.
But don't just take my word for it  - http://www.myspace.com/anjamccloskey

I did have to leave Sotones after my brief time there as I was bogged down with work, my Aerial Hoop classes and everything else. But it did put things into prospective for me.
Once a little birdie asked me "Why would you want to know what the industries like? What you learn may bring you down so enter it Gung-ho!" I said "Yes thats one way to do it but I'm a big thinker and I believe that to be educated in a field that you know nothing is more powerful". And lets face it - Sensible.
I know what is expected, Im still struggling to find time in my busy erratic life but I will get there. I have the Fire in my heart and the hunger in my tummy. This isn't about fame and money, for me it's about doing what I love as a career, Nothing less.

Check out the Sotones January 2011 Podcast featuring me, my first ever interview-
http://sotones.co.uk/?page_id=384 - Sorry Jeffisalive I do realise I forgot to ask you more relivant information, like whens your next gig! What a Donut!

Id like to Thank Sotones for the oppertunity they gave me, I am unsure of how beneficial i was Haha. The label is truly wonderful, rammed backed full of people who enjoy music, care for their artists and artists who care for the label and what they produce.
They are part of my journey, I will forever be a fan of Sotones.

Thanks for showing me whats behind the music. xxx

The Unthinkable Became Thinkable

OPEN MIC!!!

The thought of participating in such a thing use to make me flinch. It was always out of the question and Karaoke was a forbidden word.
But now my new found confidence was booming, exuding out of every pore. I was back, I was confident and I needed to express it to keep the momentum going.

'Troy Bar' is a Caribbean cuisine Bar SLASH! Music venue, in the heart of Hoxton. Perfect recipe really - Amazing food, live performances, brilliant hosts, and a great reputation. This is where I was to pop my open mic cherry, darling.
http://www.troybar.com/

I weaned myself in by attending one evening with my tutor Phil and a few class mates. The tiny intimate venue was rammed, our host that night was the ballsy and hilarious - Miss Vula Malinga - Basement Jaxx (love her!)
You step in, pay your entrance fee (modest amount) jot your name down to perform or carry on through the herds of people to get yourself a well earn't drink, surf the crowd for a seat and yam some good Jamaican food!! Now thats what Im talking about!!...
So thats what we did minus the participation. It had to be done this way to gear myself up. Although they were a tough faced crowd, they supported you whole heartedly. And the band WOW they are second to none! Whatever you did whether it be a poem, sing a cover or something of your own or simply there to grab and instrument and jam, these guys had your back, they'd feel the vibe, the words or recognise the song and they'll start playing and it ALWAYS works. Memorising I tells you.

I left feeling like Ive just been to some lucrative underground venue. We decided that the following week was our week to break the stage fright chain.

Tuesday 2nd Feb, Armed with a tummy half full of alcohol (to calm the nerves) and raw determination, I rocked up at Troy Bar. Unfortunately I was going at it alone that night as a few people from my class couldn't perform but some came to support me. (Thanks)
The host was different but still as good, the crowd was different but still the regulars came. Then before I knew it, I was up.
SHEESH  It was hot up there, no1 in the audience was smiling but they did clap for me on my way up - It's the Troy Bar rule - As I got going it felt like home, The band came in which through me a little and I stumbled on some words, but the audience sang along which helped and they were smiling now ;)  I probably didn't sound my best, but they clapped and cheered and that does something to you! What an exhilarating, thrilling feeling I was left with. I was grinning from ear to ear! My natural high kept me up all night that night. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRsYjl-j-o4
I cringe at this video but there you are for you're viewing pleasure (i hope) Haha

I intend to return there soon! got to keep the momentum going eh.... ;)

Toe Tapping Time Line

British Music

1920S - Young People Listened To Ragtime And Jazz.

1930S - Swing Became Popular. Benny Goodman And His Orchestra Were The 'King Of The Swing', As Were Glenn Miller And Artie Shaw. The Music Was Fast And Frantically Paced And Led To Dances Being Banned From Dance Halls, As The Young Women Being Flung Into The Air By Their Partners Showed Their Stocking Tops And Underwear. Jazz Continued To Be Popular.

1940S - The Second World War Brought Fast, Frantic (And Often American) Dance Music - Boogie-Woogie Or Jitterbug. Dances Were Held In Church Halls, Village Halls, Clubs, Air Force Bases - Everywhere! But Slower, Romantic Songs Were Also Popular As Loved Ones Went Away To Fight, Such As Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again' And The Song About Coming Home Again, 'The White Cliffs Of Dover'.

After The War 'Skiffle' Bands Became Popular. These Bands Used Household Items, Such As Washboards And Tea Chests, As Part Of Their Set Of Instruments! Tommy Steele, Who Later Became Very Famous, First Played In A Skiffle Band.

1950S - Rock And Roll Became Very Popular.

1960'S - The Beatles Began Their Career. They Leapt To Fame In 1963 With 'Please, Please Me'.

The Beatles Moved Through The Late 1960S As Favourites Of The 'Flower Power' Generation - Many Young People Enjoyed 'Hippie' Music. Other Teenagers Preferred The Music Of The 'Mods' - Ska Music And The Who.

1970S - The First Big New Sound Of The 1970S Was “Glam Rock”, The Main Figures Of This Were David Bowie, Elton John And Of Course Gary Glitter. In The Bleak Political Backdrop, These Larger That Life British Bands And Characters Brought A Welcome Relief With Their Platform Boots, Sequins, Nail Varnish And Colourful Hair.

Punk

The Punk Movement Of The Late 1970S Began In England. Great British Bands Of This Scene Were The Sex Pistols And The Clash. The Punk Style Was Mohicans, Bondage Clothes, Safety Pins, Piercings And Bovver Boots.

1980S - The 1980S Saw The Rise Of Hip Hop And Rap Music, With American Influences Powerful Once Again In The Form Of Such Groups As Run Dmc And Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five. It Also Saw The Rise And Fall Of The 'New Romantics', Typified By Groups Like Adam And The Ants, Who Dressed As Pirates And Highway Men And Wore Huge Amounts Of Makeup.

1990S - Britpop This Was The General Name Given In The 1990S To A New Wave Of Successful British Bands Who Made A Big Impact In The United States And Europe, As Well As In England. The Most Successful Have Been Radiohead, Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Massive Attack And The Spice Girls.

2000 - Boy Bands Continued To Be Successful But Girl Bands Grew In Popularity. Music Such As Dubstep, Electro, Funky House, Garage, Alternative Rock, Indie Pop And Many More Sale The Charts These Days. This Is The Era Of Alternative Music. Brace Yourselves! 

Popping To Point Blank

I Started at Point Blank Music College on the 15th January 2011.


A twelve week short course every Saturday - Why Saturday??!!!
I was drawn to the College after reading it had high success rates, great feedback and industry professional tutors. The likes of Leona Lewis had studied there, and VIP guests such as Mark Ronson, Basement Jaxx, Pete Tong and Boy George walk through the doors. From then on I knew I had to be apart of this college.
http://www.pointblanklondon.com/about-point-blank/


My class consisted of eleven pupils, mostly girls. Our teacher was Grammy Award winner - Phil Ramocon, he was really quite a character! His voice is phenomenal, you could feel his passion travelling through the air when he sang, truly compelling.


The first day was surreal, being there along with other young talented people who disclosed having exactly the same stage fright issues, and like me, some having had years away from singing and were striving to get their confidence back. We all had similar personalities; outgoing, determined, passionate, charismatic and genuinely supportive, so getting along was instant.
We discussed how being nervous can stop you from singing like you knew you could, making your heart race ten to a dozen and your voice shake. It is one of the most frustrating things to go through.

Speaking to these people was a blessing, I learnt that nervousness didn't mean I had an inability to perform, it is confirmation of my passion to perform and the adrenaline racing threw my body. I just needed to learn to accept the nerves and not let it rule me. It was as though I knew I wanted to sing so much that the fear was holding me back — fear of rejection and fear of how the nerves will effect my voice control.

We were told that everyday we would do at least an hours vocal warm up and exercises. I already knew most of the techniques from seeing Sandra Scott - see previous blog. We all sang a song in groups as we were far to timid to go at it alone, but you could see that singing together already gave us a massive confidence boost and we progressed rapidly, some more than others.

Each time we sang, Phil would record us so we could watch ourselves and see where we'd need to improve and how much we'd improved as the weeks go on. Watching myself helped to see me from an audience prospective and to see where I needed to tweak my performance as well as pitching and timing.

The endless encouragement from my class pushed me and gave me my confidence back which I so desperately desired. This was by far my greatest stepping stone leading me to do the once unthinkable...

4 Years Out, Lets Step Back Into The Game!

So...at the start of 2010 just after moving to London, I decided to take action!

I was apprehensive yet determined to get back into singing as I had zero confidence, suffering from stage fright and I wasn't entirely sure I sounded any good anymore!
I managed to find a local Teacher (Sandra Scott) who was also qualified in Holistic Therapy and Counselling. I naturally gravitated towards her and it was one of the best decisions I'd made.
Sandra was uber friendly, chatty, kooky, reassuring, a great teacher, effective vocal techniques and the rest! One of the best parts about seeing Sandra was her ability to sit you down on her extraordinarily low comfy sofa before every lesson and off load about absolutely anything that's on your mind, which in turn allowed me to have a positively calm lesson, free of angst - and an overall chipper day.
She is someone I hold dearly in my heart, she re-opened my eyes, mind and voice to singing and music.
http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/user/5490226fb8223719407a

I left every lesson feeling inspired but after the 12th (final) lesson I hit the same brick wall.
I rapidly became to scared to gig, ashamed to get back in touch with Sandra, which led to being unmotivated yet still full of my unwavering desire to perform.

Typically I had an epiphany which lead me down a completely different path - THE CIRCUS!...
No sorry, I didn't quite make it to running away with them but I 'applied' to a Circus School. Haha!!
It didn't turn out to be for me but it lead me to Aerial Hoop, which I do every now and then, which is nice!  :)

It in fact took me another year to take the biggest leap yet......

Climbing Back On The Horse - My Introduction

From 2003 - 2006 I attended Stratford -upon- Avon College. Taking a one year full time Acting course followed on by a two year course in Musical Theatre. Those where undoubtedly the better years of my life for soon after my life took a dramatic turn - after my parents abrupt move to New Zealand - I was propelled into the realms of responsibilities, couch surfing between friends houses which inevitably led to performing taking a back seat on my four year roller coster ride (which was interesting)

SO This is my Story in hindsight and present day; about my unwavering attempt to reach for success in the Performing Arts mostly revolving around music.

SYBELLA ROX MUZIK...


Please excuse bad grammar etc... you've been warned :)