The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections.
1. Publications that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations/Shows that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Sites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists
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2. SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED
Indie Ezine
5548 E. Gable Ave. Mesa, AZ 85206
PH: 480-981-5340
Jonathan Whitmer mail@indieezine.com
www.indieezine.com
An online news magazine featuring independent artists.
Liner Notes Magazine
1810 Wedgefield Rd. Charleston, SC 29407
PH: 214-417-1225
Becca Finley finley@bayoulogic.com
www.bayoulogic.com/lnm.php
Send in your CD and we will review it- good or bad. We can also help with your bios, press kits & one-sheets.
RisingFist.com
1328 W. Laird St., Tempe, AZ 85281-5315
PH: 480-430-7602
Steve Longoria steve@risingfist.com
http://risingfist.com
We are similar to a record label but also publish a music magazine and promotes our bands on the backend. Only we're online, and we expose you to the whole world. We don't promote every band, only bands we feel passionate about!
Nashville Country Music Blog
info@nashville95.com
www.nashville95.com
All about Country music including news and commentary. Country music CD reviews can be done here as well — just email us at to find out how we can review your CD.
Alternative Addiction
PO Box 210369, Auburn Hills, MI 48321
Chad Durkee chad@alternativeaddiction.com
www.alternativeaddiction.com
Helps unsigned bands by offering promotional features and the possibility to have your song listed in our Top 10 Chart.
3. RADIO SHOWS THAT WILL PLAY YOUR MUSIC
Jack Kitty Radio
1-981 Coxwell Ave. Toronto, ON M4C 3G4
Tyler Flear JackKittyRadio@gmail.com
www.jackkittyrecords.com/radio.htm
Features the best independent music from around the world.
Harley Radio
PH: 704-212-2405
DJ CLONE clone880@hotmail.com
www.harleyradio.com
Internet radio featuring a variety of styles.
The Voodoo Quota Show
19 Ridgewalk Way, Worsbrough, Barnsley, S. Yorkshire, S70 6th, England UK
PH: 44-1226-230895
Izzie Kirk
izie@voodooquotashow.co.uk
www.voodooquotashow.co.uk
Genre-free radio/podshow designed to promote top quality independent and unsigned music from across the world.
Opportunity Radio
16815 Woodridge Rd. Clermont, FL 34714
PH: 407 860-8160
Jhonny Mercedes jhonnymercedes@yahoo.com
www.opportunityradio.net
A new talents internet radio station for Spanish speaking unsigned artists.
Smokestack Lightnin' Blues Radio WUCF
PO Box 162199, Orlando, FL 32816-2199
PH: 407-823-0899
Norman Thompson
nthompsonjr@cfl.rr.com
www.smokestacklightnin.com
Features the very best New Blues and newly reissued Classic Blues, Adult R&B, Adult Soul, Blues Rock, Zydeco Blues and Gospel.
Fevered Brain Radio
PO Box 2631, Austin, TX 78768-2631
PH: 407-823-0899
Mike Perazzetti
galahad@thefeveredbrainofradiomike.com
www.thefeveredbrainofradiomike.com
Our mission is to make the world safe for good music.
Moozikoo Radio
PO Box 50322, Nashville, TN 37205-0322
Anthony Bates anthony@moozikoo.com
www.moozikooradio.com
Our goal is to bring you the best music from today's independent artists. We focus on music in the Americana, Alt. Rock, Bluegrass, Blues, and Alt. Country genres.
eoRadio
PH: 303-808-8140
Ryan Smith webmaster@eoradio.com
http://www.eoradio.com
The best free music from unsigned artists from around the globe. We require all artists to register online and sign a release form before submitting. Visit online for details.
4. SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC
https://indiespotifybible.com
Jack Kitty Records
1-981 Coxwell Ave. Toronto, ON M4C 3G4
Tyler Flear JackKittyRecords@gmail.com
www.jackkittyrecords.com
An independent label seeking artists to distribute to Canada and the world. Music, videos, forum, store, radio and more!
Bender Music Group
PMB 455, 835 W. Warner Rd. #101, Gilbert, AZ 85233
PH: 877-290-7536
Jon info@bendermusicgroup.com
www.bendermusicgroup.com
A full service music promotion company. Our services include online/MySpace marketing, website & MySpace design, traditional/online distribution and band management. Years of label experience.
Spinner PR
1745 No. Wilcox #437, Los Angeles, CA 90028
PH: 323-467-7633
Deborah Brosseau brosseaupr@aol.com
myspace.com/spinnerpr
16 years of audience development - PR, media relations, promotions, tour support, branding, corporate bonding, music supervision outreach and event booking. Our clients have enjoyed placement with MTV, VH1, USA Today, The Tonight Show and hundreds of local and regional outlets in between!
Show Me Entertainment
PO Box 4743, Clearwater, FL 33758
PH: 727-810-1708
Geoff Carter theowner@showmeent.com
www.showmeent.com
We offer everything from music promotions to management to booking.
Urban Angel Music
1st Fl. 126 Bloomfield Ave. Belfast, N. Ireland
PH: +44-870-4600-290 FX: +44-289-046-5591
Mark McAllister uaminfo@mac.com
www.urbanangelmusic.co.uk
We are accepting submissions from artists and songwriters for our record label and publishing divisions.
Millennium Music
via le mazzini 119, 00195 Rome, Italy
PH: 039-06-37-51-51-14 FX: 039-06-37-51-70-70
Toni Armetta toniarmetta@millennium-music.org
www.millennium-music.org
An independent label producing artists without any limitation of musical style.
Terrestrial Records
2438 SE Taylor St., Portland, OR 97214
PH: 503-232-3980 FX: 503-231-2475
Leslie Naramore les@terrestrialrecords.com
www.terrestrialrecords.com
Boutique label & production company with an in-house recording facility. We specialize in Jazz and cross-genre Rock including Jam, Shoegaze, Space-Pop and unclassifiable Pop.
Volare Star Entertainment
PO Box 46451, Plymouth, MN 55441
PH: 612-462-9004
LeeAnn Mnichowski info@volarestar.com
http://www.volarestar.com
Committed to creating and maintaining band awareness among the entertainment community. We provide booking, promotion, management and design services.
Ariana Records
1312 S. Avenida Polar #A-8, Tucson, AZ 85710
PH: 520-790-7324
Mr. Jimmi jtiom@aol.com
www.arianarecords.net
Releases and promotes music from the US Southwest. Send me your finished project!
Unified Product Distribution
101 Marietta St. #1030, Centennial Tower, Atlanta, GA 30303
PH: 404-751-3400
Kevin Blackman Kevin_blackman@updonline.com
www.updonline.com
The new face in distribution is here! We can fulfill all of your Urban music needs. Suitable for any budget small or large, major or independent.
Rockstar's Girlfriend Promotions
224 SW 153rd St. #264, Seattle, WA 98166
PH: 360-464-3042
Marcella de Lancret Rockstars_Girlfriend@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/princessbadkitty
Promote and represent artists/bands in an intense way, including sending out demos to labels, radio, print media and online publications.
Flowing Records
Giesshueblerstrasse 6, 2371 Hinterbruehl, Austria
PH: 0043-6767048651
Florian Spitz office@flowingrecords.com
http://www.flowingrecords.com
A place for all kinds of audio productions. We support our artists from the recording procedure until the finished CD.
Deepermotions Music
37 Leslie Rd. Essendon, VIC 3040 Australia
PH: +61411205395
Mike Gurrieri deepermotions@hotmail.com
www.deepermotions.com
We are a Deep House/Downtempo digital record label. We sell our music currently on Traxsource & Stompy & cater to the DJ market.
Mile High Records
1 Clover Grove, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 2AA UK
PH: 44-1952-275569
Lorenzo Cosco lorenzo@milehighrecords.com
www.milehighrecords.com
We are an independent online record label seeking new artists and new music to release on iTunes. Gigging bands preferred.
5. SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s
OR VIDEOS
BONXO
150 Delmar Rd. Rochester, NY 14616
PH: 585-314-2826 FX: 585-458-9611
Dan Regna
dan@bonxo.com
www.bonxo.com
An alternative avenue for artists to get their music heard. Our goal is to create a sub-culture of music that is not tainted by the giant corporate spinning wheel.
MusicIP
766 E. Mariposa St. Ste. C, Pasadena, CA 91001
PH: 626-739-2143 FX: 626-359-9827
Frank Elliott frankii@musicip.com
www.musicip.com
All that matters is your music - specifically, your unique sound and getting it in front of the people that want to hear it. MusicIP will get your songs heard by listeners looking for your music, without relying on genres, editorial review, or other traditional search systems - all for free!
SessionSound
PO Box 182, Singapore 912307
PH: 65-91781920 FX: 65-64757237
Fadi Zeitoune
contact@sessionsound.com
www.sessionsound.com
Commission-free MP3 sales, CD on demand, streaming audio, gig guides... all free!
OnClassical
Via Ca'Petofi 13 - (36022) Cassola, Vicenza, Italy
PH: +39-0424-533137 FX: +39-0424-533137
www.OnClassical.com
Distributing high quality Classical music in MP3 or CD quality files (WAV format). We are associated with kunstderfuge.com, the greatest resource of free MIDI files on the net. There are now entire tracks - streaming files - licensed under CC. Anyone may republish them on his site with no limits!
Amie Street
Joshua Boltuch
josh@amiestreet.com
www.amiestreet.com
Artists upload their music at no charge, which immediately goes up for sale in the marketplace. All songs start free on Amie Street and rise in price the more popular they become. This community based pricing model is designed to encourage members to discover new music and act as a promotional and marketing tool for artists. Artists take 70% of song sales and Amie Street does not ask for any copyright or publishing rights. On Amie Street you have the opportunity to reach a large community of music fans and to generate buzz about your music while at the same time earning money for your hard work and art.
IndieKazoo.com
PO Box 201927, Austin, TX 78720-1927
PH: 917-553-5582
Kenneth Feldman support@indiekazoo.com
www.indiekazoo.com
Build your wwn MP3 music store - sell your music yourself! Any independent musician or band - with no web skills at all - can create their own full-service music download store just by following some easy instructions; and most importantly, receive 100% of their sales revenue, and receive it the same day. Oh, and it's totally FREE for the entire first month.
Play It For The Labels
5451 Independence Pkwy. #2603, Plano, TX 75023
PH: 972-841-6017
Tony Boswell Tony@playitforthelabels.com
www.PlayItForTheLabels.com
A conduit through which artists and songwriters are able to contact reps from music, TV/film and video game industries.
Myitracks.com
1809-A Linden Ave. Nashville, TN 37212
PH: 615-279-0322
www.myitracks.com
We only offer the best in Blues, Southern Rock, Jazz, R&B and some other small specialty genres.
Music.com
6725 Sunset Blvd. #420, Los Angeles, CA 90028
PH: 323-769-9300 FX: 323-769-8303
Ithyle Griffiths ithyle@music.com
www.music.com
Our mission is to expose the world's music and make it universally accessible to passionate music fans.
World Music Service
Adrian Jones sellmusic@worldmusicservice.com
www.worldmusicservice.com
An online music marketplace where artists can sell their music for free and keep every cent with no copyright infringements.
Indieloo.com
38782 Mt. Gilead Rd. Leesburg, VA 20175
PH: 703-777-6840 FX: 703-777-2544
Bill Hornbeck bhornbeck@indieloo.com
www.indieloo.com
Hosts complete "replay" performances and offers a revenue sharing program. This is a free service.
JukeBoxAlive
311 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
PH: 828-232-0016
Will Cumberland cumberland@jukeboxalive.com
www.jukeboxalive.com
Our Advanced Jukebox Player protects your music from being digitally downloaded, yet allows fans to hear your music online. This creates exciting possibilities for you to present yourself to new audiences without being ripped off.
6. HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND
SongMastering.com
PO Box 217, Loveland, OH 45140-0217
PH: 513-833-9025
Jim Mason
jimmason@songmastering.com
www.songmastering.com
I see songmastering.com as the final step in the recording process, it is a way to give yourself that extra bit of confidence before you post your tune on the net. I see my service as an audio Jiffy Lube, where you can get your song fine tuned for public consumption. I am an independent artist like you and know how important it can be to have the best sounding recordings possible.
The Music Marketer Blog
A16 Mentari Court, 46150 Selangor, Malaysia
PH: 0(3)5630-1124 FX: 0(3)5630-1124
Jo Minor classicguitars@gmail.com
www.themusicmarketer.com
Blog and newsletter that helps independent bands and artists keep track of the world of indie music publishing.
Artspromo
PO Box 685, Shutesbury, MA 01072
PH: 413-259-1111
Jaime Campbell Morton artspromo@artspromo.org
www.artspromo.org
Support for nationally touring artists. $25 to send out your press release, MySpace support and other touring support. National references.
LOCKS - A Guide to Music on the Rideau
PO Box 71, Merrickville, ON, K0G 1N0
PH: 613-797-7823
Maren marenscommunications@yahoo.ca
www.rideauguide.blogspot.com
I try to review and point out local bands and concerts with original music to an international tourist/visitor audience.
Muzik Info
Haji Allauddin Building, Flat # 6, 32/18, Pakki Sarai, Agra - 282001. India
PH: 919897325878
Kirti Priyadarshani muzik_info@graffiti.net
www.ec21.com/muzikinfo
A non profit organisation dedicated to the popularisation of Indian music around the globe. We not only patronize the talented music artists of India by providing them talent thru the net, it also plans to reature the music of India on global stage.
United Label Coalition / 7 Key Code
PH: 413-323-6178 FX: 978-867-9283
Jonah Fialkoff
jonahf@charter.net
www.myspace.com/unitedindiecoalition
If you are serious about going after success, freedom and a fulfilling lifestyle by building a successful music career, get the details of this unprecedented program in a special report: "How to Crack the Music Industry Code, 7 Keys Never Before Reveled to Unlock the Code!"
Somebody Cares Tampa Bay
2140 Range Rd. Clearwater, FL 33765
PH: 727-536-2273 FX: 727-461-3985
Daniel Bernard daniel@sctb.org
www.sctb.org
A Christian minstry that networks the Tampa Bay area to impact the community with a demonstration of the Gospel. We do several big concerts each year as well as many smaller church events.
RockStar Machine
Patrick Silvestri
rockstarmachine@gmail.com
www.rockstarmachine.com
A music promotion blog for musicians that want to learn to promote themselves.
Affordable Sound and CD Duplication
1029 Reinli St. #3, Austin, TX 78723
PH: 512-459-5253 FX: 512-451-9584
projectmanagement@affordablesound.com
www.affordablesound.com
Fast turns, high quality and on time delivery is simply how we do business!
White Dove Recording Studios
18675 Toehee St., Perris, CA 92570
PH: 909-437-6928
Bob Logan
bobtheguitarman@yahoo.com
www.whitedoverecords.com
We offer professional recording at reasonable rates in a comfortable atmosphere. We offer mixing on a full size 32 channel console or computer based digital mixing and editing using the award winning Sonar Software. We also offer CD production and duplication. CD packages available.
The BandMates Network
Danny
danny99@sympatico.ca
www.bandmatesnetwork.com
Get exposure! Get advice! Get discovered! Sell your CDs! Protect your work! Find bandmates!
Cravedog
1522 N. Ainsworth St., Portland, OR 97217
PH: 503-233-7284 FX: 503-234-5305
info@cravedog.com
www.cravedog.com
Over the years, Cravedog has developed an international reputation for excellent service, manufacturing millions of discs for our clients. Whether you are a long standing corporation, a small company, an independent artist or record label or a filmmaker, we know how to meet your needs.
RockSites
1543 Park Meadows Dr. #2, Fort Myers, FL 33907
PH: 239-313-6821
Summer Summer@rocksites.com
www.rocksites.com
Promotional resource for independent musicians. Free customizable full-featured "RockSite" to get your music heard now!
7.FINDING TRUTH THROUGH STAGE PERSONAS
by Gilli Moon, Warrior Girl Music
© 2007 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission
Some of the best bands on record (meaning album) are not great live. Some bands get signed because of a great demo, but haven't had enough experience nor begun to explore the dynamics between the musicians. Developing an "act" is more than just putting a good CD together. It's about the way the musicians play (live), the clothes they wear on stage, the way they relate to the audience, how they stand on stage, the patter in between songs,.. the whole "live stage persona".
For most of my performing life I have felt that if you can be a little "over the top" with your performance, then you can grab people's attention quickly. I learned that early, playing in smoky pubs in Australia with people who really didn't care at all about the performer. They just wanted to drink beer and if there was a song they liked, they sung along. But to get any attention, you had to be an over the top entertainer. The stage persona became the most important thing for me.
It took me along time to not take myself so seriously as an artist. I remember the early days in Sydney when I would go into a deep sweat preparing for a show. I had to get the right clothes, have the right makeup, have the right hair do or color. I have had every hair color imaginable! Brown, blonde, red, white, mahogany, purple, even blue, and so many styles, from short punky to long and frizzy. In the early nineties I thought I needed to be a little bohemian, a little hippy, a little punk and a lot of attitude. I always wanted to show off my midriff, wear big loop earrings and fancy shoes. Black was in.
I was still learning the art of performance though. When I first started out performing my original songs live, I was very shy. It's funny because I was also, at the same time, performing in cover bands and I was very dynamic, on the contrary. In cover bands I could play a part, and imagine what the original artist, like Donna Summer, did on stage. I could imitate the original artist.
But with my original material I was shy and very uncomfortable playing the piano and singing at the same time. I found it a really difficult thing, to think about my lyrics, play the chords, sing in tune, and remember there was an audience in front of me that needed attention. I closed my eyes a lot.
When I got to the States, I learned to let go. For starters, I was able to be whoever I wanted to be, from scratch; reinvent myself, so to speak. So I decided to be brave, and be a little "out there". It worked. I wore spandex dresses, four inch wedge heels, silver and glitter somewhere on my body (and especially as glitter cream on my cheeks and shoulders), and even wore wings throughout the temperamental angel album tour (2000-2001). Being "in persona" I was able to take flight as an artist. Always a diamond in the rough, my music, songwriting and voice got stronger, but at least I got attention.
When I was signed to tribe Records I even dressed up as a man for a year on stage. That was fun. We had developed a band called Jessica Christ, which pushed the envelope with gender issues: actually we wanted the audience to remove the gender association with songs, and promote the lyrics, the words, to be the most important elements, so I changed my stage gender for kicks, a direct idea from the Label in order for us to get some media attention (which came). I'd start off in plaid trousers and a jacket buttoned up, short cropped blue hair and a Salvador Dali curly mustache on my face, singing sweet love songs, and full on rock and roll too. Half way through the second song I'd literally strip and reveal a short body hugging dress, always keeping my black high boots on.
Jessica Christ was a real breakthrough for my stage persona, and for releasing my inhibitions. There is something to be said about going "over the top" on stage. You really confront all your fears and learn to let go. As soon as you let go of any fears or nerves, which can be disguised behind costumes as we become a different persona, the more your inner natural self can exude. I remember doing a gig at The Gig on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood and it was packed: girls and guys upfront, with lighters swaying in the air. Girls looked on with awe and felt the power of a woman doing what I was doing on stage. It gave them strength. Guys were curious about my sexuality, but they felt the sensuousness. They were all in love, and it didn't matter. The crowd started hooting and hollering when I'd change attire, never missing a beat on the song. It was an electrifying feeling. I really let loose and didn't care what people thought. My sexuality is tied into my expressing myself through music. When I perform, sexuality naturally exudes. For me, it was all about entertainment, and through my image development over the years, my musicianship and vocals got tighter.
Blog entry: June 2000
"We've (the Jessica Christ band) been playing the traps around L.A to great crowds and not so great crowds (you have to take the good with the band), sometimes rude club managers and sometimes great promoters. Playing live in L.A is somewhat challenging because you never really know who's going to come and see you on any given night. We had all of 15 people at The Mint on Pico, but a couple of weeks earlier the club was packed with 150 at the Gig. I've been battling with the ideas flowing in my head about my music. I have had so many deep and emotional events that have taken place over the past year... the new songs are all very autobiographical.. like you will hear the beginning, middle and end of the relationship in one sitting. The edge is interesting. No more miss nice girl. I'm coming alive!"
Following the Jessica Christ era was my "temperamental" phase, promoting my first U.S release on my own label Warrior Girl Music. The album "temperamental angel" conjured up a lot of imagery and ideas as to how to present myself on stage. For me it was about being a rebel and and an angel, in the way I sung, performed and how I sounded. I wanted to bring out different personalities, as we all are complex individuals with many personalities and masks. I had a song called "Naked" which was very sensuous, and the title track really spoke about my multi-personalities, being the angel and the devil (or at least dealing with those different parts of us).
Blog entry: March 2001
"I spent last Sunday trotting down old train tracks downtown l.a in a sticky black plastic dress with dark sunglasses, my 'don't mess with me' boots, and white wings, while a train came by. We were filming the rest of the footage of the "Temperamental Angel" music video. They then had me wrapped in saran wrap, naked, in the living room. I love getting naked! Just got home from The Gig, Hollywood where Jeff, Gordie, Ric and I played at Mike Galaxy's Industry Showcase. I felt it went really well and we sold quite a few CDs plus accumulated new fans. Both Jeff and I wore our wings and Ric adorned my pink feather bower by the 6th song. I love "doing Hollywood" because you can wear whatever you want on stage and in fact so do the people in the audience. Tonight for me it was simply freaky colored hair and my angel wings. The blue warriors, the honest, hunky and adorable band who funk and groove with or without gilli moon, are knocking the socks off everyone and that makes gilli a proud mother goose. The Whisky a Go Go never saw anything like it last Thursday even though they've had, well, just about everybody there. But we have paint flying - and Gordie our guitarist enjoyed that on is body, dress swaying (that's mine), heads nodding, boots kicking, a voice warbling, and music well, will take you away to the MOON. It's quite funny that where once gilli moon was so sweet and a "piano ballad" gal, she has turned almost heavy metal in her black boots but still so calm and sultry when "Naked" comes on. The Press seem to enjoy the controversy."
When I came out with the "Woman" album, I was all about the "warrior girl" - wearing combat attire (before it was popular), with green army camouflage pants, boots, and a cool, spunky tank top. It gave me room to run around on stage. I also was painting a lot on stage, what I call "SensuArt". I'd erect a large clear piece of Perspex (plastic) on stage and get my brushes and paint out. I'd stand behind the clear canvas painting lots of female nudes and faces, while the band would solo and jam. I have painted my band members many times too. It was a lot of fun.
I've run the gamut of stage personas. It helps develop the artist's story and removes the fear. Every gig should be special. They have all been for me.
My "live image' changed when I started touring. I began seriously touring across the United States in '02, promoting the "temperamental angel" album. To keep it affordable, I went solo, without the band. This meant that that I was responsible for everything: getting to the venue, organizing my music, playing the keyboards (my fingers certainly got a lot stronger), entertaining a strange crowd, selling CDs (although have always had help on this from fans and friends), and packing up. At a certain point it got too tiring to "put on the big show" with the costumes and any theatrics. I started out on my first tour with a small color wheel light that revolved and changed lights as I performed. But I sold it for $50 in Phoenix Arizona into the second week.
I ended up just taking my shoes off, and just singing my songs on the keyboard. This was the beginning of finding my true self on stage.
I no longer wore the outfits, frizzed my hair up, or even put on any over the top makeup. Over a few years of being on the road consistently, traveling every state in the country, I became less and less concerned about my costuming or stage persona. I didn't have time and I was too tired. I became more concerned about my songs, my vocal and music performance, and being authentic.
Authenticity is the ultimate goal as a live performer. If the audience doesn't feel your truth, then they can't relate to you. Being on the road was a huge awakening. I don't have a problem with any band going for the "glam rock" or over the top image. I feel every band has to go through that process, and it has many positives, especially when developing and you want to learn to "let go" on stage. If you are all about "image" and that's what people relate to, then all the power to you. But I have grown accustomed with the notion that it doesn't matter how you look: it's how you act. It's who you are inside.
I've seen the worst bands all dressed up, with the full stage presence - lights, costumes, props,... the works, and then be left unimpressed with their talent and their songs. Then I've seen the most humble of artists get up in jeans and a t-shirt, no makeup or frills, and truly grab my attention with a powerful stage presence, talent and story.
The more grass roots I've become, more laid back and real, the more positive feedback I've received on my show and my music. Of course, this is a ten year overnight success story here. I'm no spring chicken. I've learned a lot. One has to get their chops up on stage for a long time to make it look natural!
These days, especially after the fourth album, "extraOrdinary life", I've really tuned in to my songs and writing, and I remember the story around them whenever I sing them. I go back in time, every time and live that emotion, and the audience feels that. Being able to touch souls is so magnificent, and it doesn't matter what you wear. But it does matter how you exude your passion. It does matter how you deliver. Eye contact is important. Contact in general, with your audience, is important. Humility is important. Not taking yourself so seriously is VERY IMPORTANT.
I remember seeing Celine Dion in concert in Sydney. Whether you like her music or not, I encourage anyone to see her perform live or check out her live videos. She is amazing as a stage entertainer. There must have been 20,000 people at this concert, and she had every one of us eating out of the palm of her hand. We were silent and riveted. She spoke to me like I was the only person in the room, and sung my life stories in her songs. She has a fabulous sense of humor (she knows what to say between songs), and never ends a song until she's ready. If you notice, she'll finish the song on a note, maybe an arm outstretched, maybe her eyes closed; and the band will stop, so will she - and everything is silent. We hang in the suspense. When she finally drops her arm (it could be even 5 or 10 seconds after that final note), we then applaud, as if we've been given the silent nod. She decides when the song is over. Until then, we are her audience slaves. It's superb.
I have loved my stage persona journey. I'm sure there is more to come with how I will express myself live. I have always admired Madonna's finesse in reinventing her image every album she makes. I like that idea because I love making concept albums. Each album tells a story. It has a theme, a plot, a journey to take the audience on. So too should the live performance, matching the essence of the album. Madonna is great at that, and never afraid to push the envelope.
Stage costumes can be a great ice breaker, to bring across your artist story and concept. Developing an image is crucial, of course. But with or without costumes, if you can touch people's hearts, then you're on the right path. There is much controversy about developing an artist's image in the music business. The media love to grab on to a story of some kind, and the business doesn't like to have to guess who you are. They like to see it in your music and how you look. They want to be able to market something. It's the same for independent artists too. Image around your album concept, your website, your live performance persona, even your character in the general public, all tie in to who you are as an artist. I believe that your persona as an artist is crucial to telling your story and creating a buzz.
But in all of that... always remain authentic to your true self. Keep changing, evolving, and tap in to your passionate self. TRUTH and PASSION is everything. This, my friends, will make the difference between you being a quick, fly-by-night fashion trend, versus being an eternal, lifelong, rock star.
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