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Give us some background. Where are you from originally, where are you now, how did you get there?
I am originally from Long Island, NY. I am now living in Georgetown, MA. After high school, I received a Vocal Scholarship to Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. After graduating from Rollins, I then continued my life in Mansfield, Texas. Texas and I didn't mix, so I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dream of getting discovered as an artist. I lived in L.A. for 8 years performing, writing / co-writing and teaching. I made countless connections and played a great amount of shows. I had my own funk band that made everyone dance all night when we played! The changing of times and goals moved me out of L.A. into Massachusetts this past October. I thought that being a big fish in a smaller pond would help things, and it has.
What Genre would you classify yourself as?
I would classify my music as Funky Pop.
What is it that drove you to pursue a career in music, along with what drives you individually as a musician?
I have always been in front of crowds singing and performing, and I am extremely comfortable in that setting, and love it. When I started writing music, I realized that it was what I was "supposed to be doing"!
What struggles have you faced with having your music heard and getting your name recognized by outside markets?
I think that I have gotten more positive feedback rather than bad but it seems that the higher ups, that could make my music heard WORLD WIDE, don't want to take a chance on something new and different even though it's good.
What kinds of things do you do to promote yourself?
Performing live shows as much as possible while promoting online via Myspace, Facebook, Bebo, Imeam and email Blast lists. I’ve also recently joined the New England Songwriters guild.
Is there a predominant message you hope to get across in your songs?
I preach the law of attraction, visualizing what you want and bringing it to your self through this law. I also write about LOVE a lot because I am very fortunate to have found it. Six out of the eleven tracks on my album VISUALIZE ('09) are about the love of my life.
What are your thoughts on the future of the music industry and where it’s going?
I know it will be harder for us musicians to get noticed, but I think that if you want it bad enough, and are good enough, YOU WILL SHINE THROUGH. Music is needed in this crazy world and I can't think of anything I would rather do than write music to make people feel better, or DANCE!
Are you currently unsigned, and do you plan on staying independent?
I had been signed by GoDigital Media Group, based out of Santa Monica, CA. They put my album online ONLY, on about 8 online music stores. (iTUNES, Napster, Amazon mp3, Aimey Street, Rhapsody... etc.) This group has done very little else besides putting my songs online. Virtually NO promotion. The songs are online but won't sell because I don't know how to promote! I am not really with them anymore since I moved, but my songs are still online represented by them.
What are your reasons for being an independent artist?
Mainly because there was no label interest.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson.
Do you ever feel that people will be missing out on your music because you are not signed to a major record label?
ABSOLUTELY. All I want to do is be heard, and do it for a living. I don't need "Bling"!
Your art can be very experimental. Do you ever wish there was an easier way to access the music you sample from, or wish that you had access to a huge library of undiscovered music, which is updated everyday by itself?
I don't sample music but a huge library of music would be nice.
What would you say if I told you that there’s a new force in Independent Music that will give you all of the power of the Major Labels and more, while at the same time giving you complete control over all aspects of your musical career, and you will never have to sign a thing?
Sounds too good to be true!
And you would have access to the worlds first ever audio component auction, where pieces of songs are sold off at auction prices to be repurposed in other songs. What kind of impact do you think that would have on your music?
It could be very interesting.
