Monday, 25 February 2013

I've decided I want to be a musician.... NOW WHAT?



It is common knowledge that the music industry in Australia is a hard one to crack! With a small population, literally thousands of super talented musicians and limited opportunities to showcase your talent.  Once you have decided you want to be an original artist, what do you need to do to get started?

Who better to ask than out local expert and good friend of Bloom Entertainment, Paul Sciulli, C.E.O of Rockwell Music Records. Here is what he had to say...



There's a few ways you can do this, but doing as many of these as possible is the best idea. For now, strengthen your voice. It's going to develop and change for the next 6 or so years, and even then the change will only slow down. Work with a vocal teacher to make sure that you're taking care of your voice and progressing it.

Practice karaokes in front of strangers to build up your experience. It's necessary that you're okay in front of normal people for when you go to sing to drunks.

Find a band that's looking for a lead singer, and give the audition all you're worth. Practice with them and don't be the diva; it's a lot easier for a band to get a gig than it is for a single singer. Hopefully you can gain street cred by doing lots of performances; the better the cred, the more likely you'll get scouts. Go to school for music. It's important that you have a degree, and you may decide that you want to go into a different aspect of the industry. As you perform with your school or band, scouts will be more likely to be there and see your talent. This is not a course for the faint-hearted. It's not enough to be good, or your best. You must be the absolute best, and you have to really want this. These 3 words will help you to pursue you music career: Persistence, Determination and have no limits.

It takes a lot but it will be worth it in the end. Be smart and plan your every step now. For this career, it is necessary to prepare yourself above and beyond the average career.

Please don't be the one that wants to get into the music industry and make it big just for the money ... you're not that person.Who would want to do something like but you never know; yet while you're young, it's usually about the music and not the profit. I've seen a lot of people who kind of throw this out there, how they want to be a star and all that, but people like that are hardly going to go far. It has to be about the music, the creativity, and the lifestyle ... NEVER about the material profit.

Just do what you love; don't worry about the fame. If you enjoy singing, find people who enjoy the same thing. Record yourself singing, and maybe put it on YouTube and ask for feedback on how to improve.
  
Explore your creativity and explore new areas of music, maybe pick up an instrument (if you don't play already). It's always best to find new bands and new areas to explore other than mainstream. I no longer listen to the radio because of its commercialism. You'd be surprised at the wide variety of talented musicians out there that have not been discovered.

When you get older, it might be possible to move to a city where entertainment is big. That way you can get into it and have a better chance. Get with the right people, and write some great, ORIGINAL music (that is key here.) You don't want to be doing the same thing that others have done for years.

In today's world, you need to stand out. Try and contact people that can get you some gigs in places, maybe as opening acts and the like.

Everyone has to start out small, and if you have passion for your work, you will succeed.The most important thing in music is the emotional response from the people you are performing for. THAT'S what music is about. Music is art, not entertainment.

Let me end by quoting one of the all time greatest producers:


Mr. Quincy Jones

If there are common denominators, they are spirit and musicality. I go for music that gives me goose bumps, music that touches my heart and soul
&
Ive always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying - Aint That The Truth


Sunday, 3 February 2013

Special Songs for your Wedding Reception





There are a few important songs you need to consider when planning your wedding reception.  
Whether or not you are having a band or a DJ, these songs mark important stages of your night.

Entrance Song
The first song of the night is an exciting time as it is the first time you and your partner will be presented as the married couple at your reception.  It is also a time to recognise the important members of your bridal party.   You can choose a song that is fun and upbeat for the bridal party entrance or a love song that is special to you and your partner - the choice is yours!

Bridal Waltz
The Bridal Waltz is individual to every couple!  It may be a popular song or a song that no one has heard of before!  Whatever you choose, it should be a song that is important to you and your partner.  It may be a song that reminds you of when you met, or when you got engaged or a song that describes your relationship. In most cases, your band will be happy to try and learn this song for you to make it extra special.  If you have a DJ or you are performing a choreographed dance you can also provide the original song to the band or DJ to play.
The completion of the Bridal Waltz often signifies the start of the party at the reception.  It is common for the bridal party and parents of the bride and groom to join the couple in a dance at the completion of the Bridal Waltz and for the dance floor to then be 'open' for the rest of the wedding guests.

Father-Daughter Dance
Having a Father-Daughter dance is a touching way to honour your Dad, it is a tribute to the bond shared between the bride and her Father. There are many popular songs for the Father-Daughter dance and it is often a slow song that is fairly easy to move to. It is important to chat with your Dad when making a decision as he may have something special in mind too. 

Last Song
The last song of the night is usually an upbeat goodbye song.  This song can be used during the contemporary circle or for the couple to do one last dance before they wave and run off into the sunset.

Other formalities that you may want a special song for:
  • ·         Bridal Party Dance
  • ·         Cutting of The Cake
  • ·         Mother-Son Dance
  • ·         Throwing of the Garter
  • ·         Throwing of the Bouquet