New York, New York...

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to New York to network with other indie artists.  Its funny but the more I get more involved in the music industry, the the more I realize that there are a lot of people with gifts and talents in this world..but not enough willing to step out there to meet others to catapult their careers tot he next level.  I know  I've been there.

Its so easy to be complacent within the musical circle in your hometown or area. Confining yourself to the same people who love your music. The challenge is getting it outside of your area to different people and networking, etc. At the end of the day, you can be talented, but if you don't do anything different to challenge yourself, you'll be in the same place.

I've decided that I'm going to make it happen. I sing in front  of numerous people, but I'm a shy person when it comes to striking up conversations and networking I tend to draw back...lol..  I've been getting better though.  I'm going to get even better at this to as I plan to go to New York at least once a month. It's game time. I have no excuse...tickets are cheap ...and I can build  up my New York fan base. A wise man told me you gotta to permeate New York...if you can make it there you can make it anyhere. So lets get it goin...what indie artist is going to take this challenge with me. Commit to 1x a month to travel to New York network and perform?

Image is just as important as your talent/gift?

Since I started out pursuing music... I've gone through so many phases unsure of how I wanted to look, etc.  Starting with retro jeans and vintage sneaks...natural hair...that was my beginning. I didn't give much thought to my appearance or how I dressed. I just wanted to sing.

Well, a piece of that still exists... I still want to sing, but I give a bit more thought to my appearance and my particular style. My experience in the music industry has taught me that branding is essential to your gifts and talents. I will admit, I'm still getting a handle on it, but with great examples like Michael Jackson, the Supremes, Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Music Soulchild, and  Maxwell, etc, and a stylist (someone outside of yourself), and other branding consultants, I'm getting a bit better.

With certain artists, their music and clothing/style is associated with them. Close your eyes, think about Prince...what do you think? Think of Stevie Wonder, what do you think when you think of him.  Branding can create a lasting image and also helps people to  create a space for you in their brain. Helps them to use something to relate, etc.

I've decided that I will create a brand:0), but I still want the versatility to play with the different sides of me. I'm goofy, I'm beautiful, sexy, and I'm a nerd....lol. My music is positive and homegrown, but at the same time edgy. I love to talk about life issues, but at the same time I'm beginning to love to talk about love and communicating with the opposite sex (so much more than sex/physical). So that's me.

So I think more about my clothes and image and how they can either add or subtract from talent and gifts as a singer. Rather I like or not, I understand that I am judged by my appearance. A wise man once told me  that you are addressed by the way you are dressed.....and so I keep that in mind.

Alive Again...

A week or or two ago, I decided that I wouldn't wait for work to come to me, but I'd make work for myself. So I started writing again with the thought that I'd record every week....getting my catalog up (songs for sale), while also being the medicine for my soul.

You see, I've found that I'm the happiest when I'm singing and it often frustrates me when I don't have gigs lined up like I want.  Unfortunately, I can't just take any gig. I have to strategically plan my shows as I don't want to be over saturated in my area or decrease my worth. You know like when you do a lot of open mics etc., some people think that if they can see you for $5 why pay more for you. So I think about stuff like that often. Anyways, I digress.

Back to what I was saying....so I made some work for myself and went to the studio this past weekend. It was such an invigorating experience. Though I love performing actually more than studio singing...overall the opportunity to create was therapeutic. I recorded 3 songs and am anxious to get back in there and go at it again.  

I'm so grateful that God equipped me with a gift that brings healing to my soul and to my others. So its game time, I will not sit idly while all the shows are coming together. I will write and record and prepare myself for whats about to take place...going to a new dimension! Lets faith it and work it at the same time! Naw mean! lol

Glitter Ain't Always Gold!!

Today, I made a decision to resign from one of my part time jobs. It was paying me good money,  and I had signed on with the intent to save more money.  You see, I'm the type  of person who tries to think ahead and I thought I had a master plan. I didn't have any set hours, just to get the job done....minimum 20 hours a week. Did I mention the pay was good. So I planned that I would save the extra money from this job and really invest in my music. But what I realized that in taking this extra part time, was that it squeezed more time that I didn't have. Most importantly, I was becoming grumpy, angry, and tired that I was squeezing out the time to focus on my music.

MUSIC!!! Epiphany: I realized  that it ain't all about the money! Realizing my mental health and the decrease in my happiness, I resigned from the part time.  I had realized this pattern that I was about to get trapped in the game of money. Now, because of money, I was taking jobs that would, in essence, put me in the same position I was in before...no time or energy for my dream and passion. When I became aware of this, I decided I have to leave. I definitely didn't want the money to start getting good and then get trapped in the game. LOL, I sound like a drug dealer or like I'm in a drug game...but sometimes things can get addictive like that.

I told one of my friends that I'm to the point where I will not sacrifice my happiness or my dreams. It is very important that I'm happy and I know that God wants me happy. I know some people may not understand, but oh well. Since when can you please everyone.

I'm learning and growing throughout this experience. I'm determined to reach my goals and I continue to  make the choice daily...even when I don't feel like it,  I choose to be HAPPY!

Transitions...

It just came to me about the things that I've been going through...rather it just dawned on me.  There was a time in my life where I'd just graduated grad school and was having a difficult time adjusting to  the transition from 6 years of college life (stayed to get my Masters) to  working a full time job. I was tired ALL THE TIME!!

Like, my God parents would be like,what is wrong with you. I would come home from work, completely zonked out. I mean completely drained from the world. At the time, I wasn't savy enough to convey my feelings and my parents just thought I was being lazy. I couldn't really tell them how draining it was being a social worker. How you are pretty much a human garbage can for kid's and parents feelings and limitations. I didn't know how to express my feeling too well to them at that time.

Well now, I'm experiencing much of the same except that I am self aware and more savy. I've done my time in therapy to effectively communicate my feelings and be aware of what I'm going through and so now, I'm able to identify this stage as a growing pain...a transition.

A transition from depending on a full-time job  to depending upon God and my abilities to sustain myself....all unfamiliar turf. But like i got the hang of balancing in social work, so I will get the hang of this.

 I'm  gonna track this transition and these feelings by recording. I have decided to record every week or at least write 3 songs every week....my next full length album will document this journey for sure. I'm gonna use the positive and negative feelings/experiences for my muse to create heartfelt music...there-by helping myself thru this process as well as others.

I'd like to hear about how you've handled some sort of transition in your life..

Music Tuesdays...Beautiful Weirdo: The OutKast

Today was absolutely a fantabulous day:)!! Tuesday is the one day a week that I have off from my job to focus all of my creative energy on music.  Just because I'm off from one job doesn't mean that it's a lax day. Not at all. I left the house at 7:30 am just to fight the traffic to get to b-more at 9:30 am. From  9:30 am to 3:30 pm we got it in non-stop (ok...one bathroom break..i ate fruit in between recording ..i come with snacks in tow).We recorded 3 songs for my mixtape, Beautiful Weirdo: The Outkast. It was a very productive session. With this mixtape, I'm venturing out in different directions and exploring different sides of me as well as experimenting with my favorite instrument, my voice. My voice coach would be proud lol.

So what's a recording session like for me: It means having a thermos of tea with me lol  or some type of liquid (some people are a fan of Gatorade). It means being comfortable with my recording environment. I laugh alot and will test the limits of my voice and don't mind failing in my efforts. So in essence, I'm a clown as I'm getting it done. So glad they don't record my foolery...or do they? Its' also important to be comfortable so you can get loose (term for opening up vocally) so you can do the best takes.  Thats just a little bit...i'll tell you more as we move along:)..there are more songs to record for this mixtape, Beautiful Weirdo: The OutKast....any takers on the meaning of the title of the mixtape?