In this industry, when we get turned down, we don’t always get a reason. Simply a “pass” or “no thanks” is often the only comment, and we’re left to wonder why. Sometimes, if you’re polite and ask in the right way, you can find out the thought process behind your rejection. We recommend...
If singers want to sell records they must create an artist out of themselves. They need to carve out their own path and create something that is new. Artists are pressured to continuously mould their identity under the watchful eyes of the public. There are so many stories of people who have been...
One of the most powerful things you can do for your career is to create a strong brand identity, something your band stands for and believes in that seeps through in every photo taken, every post on social media, every press interview, and of course, in the music you make. But if you’re stuck on...
A little over three years ago, Sheryl Crow took her career in a radically different direction with the release of her debut country LP, Feels Like Home. Despite a relentless touring schedule and promotional campaign, the album didn’t make much of an impression with country fans and no single...
David Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. He was a figure in popular music for over five decades, regarded by critics and musicians as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. His career was marked...
His voice faltered as he said, “It’s silly really, but I’ve always wanted to sing.” It was Monday morning and We were speaking with a prospective student….well, at least We think he wanted lessons. He then gushed self consciously, “I have a terrible voice” and “I don’t want to...
New figures from UK labels association the BPI reveals that UK music consumption rose again in 2016. The music industry’s second consecutive year of growth saw a 1.5% increase in Album Equivalent Sales (AES) to 123.4 million, reports Music Week. But with CDs sales continuing to decline, along...
What amazes us the most about the human (and animal) voice is how wide our pitch range is. This is created using 2 simple short strings, which are really only 1 string as they move in symmetry with each other. We stand alongside man made musical instruments that have 4 strings, 6 strings or even...
There is a muscle that connects our cheek to our lower jaw which is called the masseter muscle. When we open our mouths wide the masseter wants to engage to help us bite down on a big piece of food. The problem is, when we open our mouths wide to sing, this muscle wants to get involved. We end up...
Mariah Carey had a very public and very embarrassing end to 2016. She had a massive technical meltdown during her performance at a New Year’s Eve party. And it wasn’t exactly an intimate gig – it was the New Year’s Eve party in Times Square in New York. Thousands of people...
The Kinks’ Ray Davies received a knighthood for his service to the arts as part of Queen Elizabeth’s annual New Year Honours list. Ray Davies: “Initially I felt a mixture of surprise, humility, joy and a bit embarrassed but after thinking about it, I accept this for my family...
Listening to the rhythm of our internal hunger and satiation cues isn’t easy for anyone especially if you are a performer with long rehearsals, late-night gigs and irregular and unexpected travel. We have embedded a pattern of eating that goes with the drum beat of the clock or the smell of food...
We are doing much more vocal gymnastics. I don’t think it’s better or worse, just make sure you are physically and vocally fit for the “vocal backflips” you are asking your voice to do. On the technological side, we are “vocal airbrushing” sometimes in the studio. What our listeners (both...
After a story about a family on the verge of eviction made national news this week, Eddie Vedder stepped forward to help. The Pearl Jam singer gave them $10,000, and many others donated money and presents to give them an unforgettable Christmas. Last week, Tyshika Britten, a hairdresser from Oxon...
You’ve finally made it. A record label recognized your talent and offered you what seems like the deal of a lifetime. But before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you actually understand what you’re signing so your dreams of fame and fortune don’t turn into a nightmare. Here...
