Inquiry: Research into Artist's early career stages. PILOT DATA ANALYSIS

As the question of success became more and more unclear, what was become clearer and clearer was that maybe its not about becoming ‘successful’ maybe it’s about just getting your foot in the door. What I wouldn’t give for my opportunity to come up soon! After struggling to connect with certain aspects of the tasks, I realised though I’d based my question on something reoccurring in my journals, I wasn’t maybe asking the right question. I want to know how to get my foot in the door of the music industry.  Right, so if that’s what I want to know, where do I look? First I look straight to whose already managed it...

 

 

Amy winehouse has come up in conversations in the SIGs on facebook because of all the talk of what ‘success’ is. I will always argue that Amy Winehouse was, though her personal life was not a happy one, musically, massively successful. I really want to look into how she started out as, like Lily Allen, she was a ‘Londoner’ and did it all right here, half an hour away from my door step. It must be possible!

 

·         Taught herself guitar

·         Learnt to sing by listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington etc...

·         Attended Sylvia Young Theatre School

        

"After I left school I wanted to earn a living and I got lucky when a friend of a friend came to see me at a Jazz gig and helped me get a break" Amy Winehouse, pg19

 

·         Friends from Sylvia Young's: Matt Willis of ‘Busted’ and their friends ‘McFly’ are led by singer/songwriter Tom Fletcher

·         She first appeared on 'The fast show' in a sketch as a young girl, before she was famous

·         She then attended the Brit School.

·         Sang regularly with the national Youth Jazz Orchestra and was spotted by people connected with Simon Fuller

·         She was also writing as an entertainment journalist

·         She joined 'Brilliant 19' management, under Nick Godwin

·         She then signed with Universal/ Island.

·         Manager became Raye Cosbert

 

"I figured I'd get a job in an office or as a waitress. I never had a great plan or promoted myself, but in a way I've been working for this for years" Amy Winehouse

 

"Do you want to do some studio time?...If you write songs with your guitar and make a record, you'll get a record deal" Nicky Shermansky to Amy Winehouse,

 

Ref: Amy winehouse The Biography, Chas Newkey-Burden, John Blake Publishing Ltd 2008

 

Jessie J’s autobiography was massively helpful, written fairly frankly she gives details as to all the little things she did to get a step on the ladder.

· Worked in the west end from an early age as a child performer.

· Entered local competitions, bigger competitions such as 'Britain’s Brilliant prodigies' for under 16's.

· Joined The Brit School

· Joined a anti gun campaign girl group called 'Soul Deep'

· Modelled for vidal sassoon

· Started writing her own music

· Played at 'Cottons' in Camden town

· She already had a manager. But got signed by Gut Records after 'Cotton' gig with Soul Deep.

· She left Gut Records after touring with chris brown, sugar babes, girls aloud cyndie lauper and Jools holland.

· Big London scenes: iluvlive, yOyO and Proud Galleries

· Got signed as a song writer to Sony/ATV in America. Wrote for Chris brown and more.

· Did gigs at SOB's in NewYork and The Viper Room in LA.

· Signed with Universal Republic/ Universal Island UK

· Worked with Dr Luke and Claude Kelly.. wrote part in the USA , which ended up going to Miley Cyrus

· Taking risks

· Played Next Big Thing Festival in Camden's Barfly Pub

· YOUTUBE!!- when she'd done all this, she needed youtube to get herself known

Ref: Jessie J, Nice to meet you, My Story, Simon and Schuster UK Ltd, 2012

 

Lily Allen, Another Londoner who made it happen. I wanted to look at her, Amy and Jessie J because they all have similarities to the sort of music that I‘d want to get into and all seem to have made it happen somehow!

· Like Jessie J, Lily had a manager. Slightly different though, she was managed by George Lamb, who she met in Ibiza partying aged 15...

· Encouraged to record demos, aged 15/16

· “There's no money in it if you don't write your own songs” George Lamb

· Warner Brother's Imprint London Records, gave her a short contract

· dropped by record company

· Changed managers, got a new deal with EMI/Parlophone offshoot Regal Recordings ( a small development deal)

· Kept co writing outside of the record company and reocrded in small bedroom studios using 'logic' software for producing their own music

· She started getting airplay of her music

Ref: Smile, The Story of Lily Allen, Bella Wolfson, Omnibus Press 2010

 

Beyonce Knowles is a super star, and far from the ‘early stages’ i’m trying to understand. Her Hollywood lifestyle seems far too far away to ever be realised by me which is why so far I’ve looked mostly at local artists. But Beyonce did have to start somewhere... and I figured a bit of variety into my inquiry wouldn’t go a miss.

"Miss Darlette had a unique gift...she taught me self esteem, confidence, a positive attitude and, most importantly, discipline" Beyonce Knowles.

 

·         Joined a local church choir

·         She entered loads of contests and beauty pageants and won them all.

·         She won the Houston arts award, 'The Sammy'.

·         Had vocal coaching at Houston Original Music Magnet School

·         Then went on to Houston's HighSchool of Visual and Performing Arts

·         Here she got spotted by Andrette Tillman, who asked her to audition for a girl band she was putting together, 'Girl's Tyme'

·         Beyonce's parents would push them 'Girl's Tyme' to rehearse, always encouraging feedback and critiques from friends and family members, to keep them improving.

·         Kelly Rowland joined Girl's Tyme.

·         Kelly Rowland moved in with the Knowles'.

·         Beyonce's dad became a part time co manager of 'Girl's Tyme' and got them performing at every opportunity

·         Local Producer, Alonzo Jackson started working with them and they appeared in a feature in the 'Houston Chronicle'

·         Producer Arne Frager took them to The Record Plant Studios in Sausalito where they recorded demos for nationwide exposure

·         Girl's Tyme appeared on TV show 'Star Search', Orlando, Florida

·         Alonzo jackson co-wrote songs for them to sing

·         Knowles quit his job to co-manage the girls full time

·         The group cut down to four, auditioned for Columbia management

·         Knowles had set up MWE (Music world Entertainment) to produce the music his daughters were making

·         They were signed and then dropped by Elektra Records

·         They changed their name to Destiny's Child and then re-auditioned for Columbia, and were signed...

 

Ref: Crazy In Love, Beyonce, The Beyonce Knowles Biography, Daryl Easlea, Omnibus Press 2011

 

The Kings of Leon were from a really religious family and only allowed to listen to gospel music. When their parents divorced and they were experimental teenagers, they started listening to rock and roll. They met a man who got paid $2000 for writing a cheesy country song, and they decided to write their own songs to make money. Though the Kings are obviously not solo artists, they have always struck me as very earthy and I was interested to see if finding a way in as a band is the same as finding your way in on your own.

·         They started touring pubs and clubs in Nashville as a duo and writing.

·         Bluebird Cafe in Nashville- they went and met a singer/songwriter and asked for his advice on getting a gig there.

·          They’d jam with the singer/ songwriter and his girlfriend, and ended up doing gigs in Nashville with him.

·         As a duo Nathan and Caleb joined Pistol Creek Productions (a small record label/management company), and played mostly rodeos.

·         Members of the West Tennessee Mass Choir for a short period, singing falsettos and harmonies.

·         They met Kent Marcus, an entertainment lawyer for Zulmwalt Almon and Hayes who had music connections.

·         They then toured Music Row, playing to massive labels such as Sony and Dreamworks

·         Through Kent Marcus, they met Ken Levitan (manager, entertainment lawyer, producer, publisher and booking agent, president and founder of Vector Management)

·         They were introduced to other music writers/singers (with connections) who taught them all about the history of music.

·         The two brothers, Ken levitan and Angelo Petraglia flew to NewYork and played for 9 labels in two days and got 4 offers.

·         Labels wanted to team the duo up with a backing band, and they said no. They auditioned their cousin, Matthew, over the phone for guitar. They took on their baby brother Jared as a bass player (even though he had never played)

·         Label came to see them one month later and they had 4 songs ready.

·         They became the 'Kings of leon' and opened for the Skeeters at 'Smith's Olde Bar' in Atlanta

·         They joined record company RCA. They were developing as they began and made their first record in 2002...

Ref: Kings of Leon, Sex on Fire, Micheal and Drew Heatley, Reynolds and Hearn Ltd 2009

What does it take to get your foot in the door?

Ok guys, just wanted to sort of keep you up to date with what im looking at at the moment. So I realise I need to do a lot of research and I really wanted it to be not only helpful to my inquiry but also helpful to my career. Im currently sitting staring at a pile of biographies and autobiographies from the like of Jessie J, Lilly Allen and Amy Winehouse and more. I can feel my inquiry adapting as we speak...from what it takes to be succesful more into the relms of how do you get your foot in the door? What are the first steps to entering the music industry. I've basically picked out about 7 books to help me get an idea of how these fairly musically successful artists started out. I'l be looking at their early ays and picking out key points. I mean, this is obviously the tip of the iceburg but its a start. Where I can I will try and follow a couple of the points that re occur and see how they work out for me, and/or speak to those in similar situations who are just starting out. I want to use the biographies and autobiographies to get an idea of what mental state the artists were in before they began to crack open the door and see what comes of it...

a question for you!

WHAT IS SUCCESS? or rather what does it mean to you,, to BE successful.??? please answer, I'd really like your opinions!

TITLE, 4D

Hi guys, just wondering if i could get you feedback on my proposed title?:


I propose to look into the confidence, barriers and mentality issues that go into creating a successful performer. I have had three years training at the Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts and gained a National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. In addition to that, I have spent my spare time working on music, singing backup vocals for new release albums and singing with bands at live events. Due to this all round interest in performance, I propose the title of BA Honours Professional Practice, (Performing Arts).

What do you think? I think its a justified proposal, and wide enough title to allow my career to develop as I please without causing too many issues.x

Task 4D: my title....

So,  for me this had never really crossed my mind, mostly because, I didn't realise that we got to choose!
But really there arent that many options that I think id even consider...
My training has been thorough in singing, dancing and acting, and though it delved into the different areas of the industry, such as tv, ballet, and pop singing, for the most part I was working in the musical theatre genre. Italia conti is an academy of 'performing arts'. So really I think my title should be one of the following:

• BA Hons Professional Practice Musical Theatre
• BA Hons Professional Practice Performing Arts

Looking at them slightly closer, Musical theatre is fairly accurate, most of my training has revolved around it, and been with the aim of breaking into that area. However, though it isn't very specific, I still feel like I have had a lot of experience in other areas such as the acting for screen and pop music side, that perhaps 'musical theatre' is selling me a bit short.

I like the idea of 'performing arts' because for me it resembles more than just musical theatre. Yes, it suggests training in musical theatre, but the emphasis is on the 'performing' whether that be anything in the industry. I have done backing vocals for new albums, sung with various bands, peroformed solo acoustic gigs, and have always excelled in acting for camera, more so than acting for stage. I feel that in all of these activities.. I am a performer and perhaps this title suits my training and my future career prospects better than 'musical theatre'.

My previous studies were a '3 year performing arts course..leading to a National diploma in Professional Musical Theatre'.... So I am torn between the two titles...


I dont know,... I'll have to think about it.
My topic is looking at confidence in the performers... so really that could go with either.

task 4c: the beauty of unemployment...

So for task 4c, well its rather irrelevant for me because i'm currently unemployed. But I can understand that from an ethical point of view, if i were employed, it would be really important for me to gain the support of my employers before carrying out any strong investigation within the work place. One, because I would be conducting said research on the time of my employer. Two, because it would involve their staff cooperating with me, and they may feel this distracts from the work at hand. Three, because it is polite to inform them, as you are carrying out research that concerns them and possibly the way they are running the work place. And four, because they may not actually want you stirring up issues and potentially pointing floors in the every day running of their business that they may not want pointing out. 

For this task I am, therefore (for want of a superior), giving myself permission to carry out my research, ethically and considerately to those around me with no wish to disturb the peace of any one within the industry.

POSITIVE!

Survey and positive thoughts :)

hello everybody. So this week has been terribly exciting and shoddy at the same time. I was feeling like crap at the beginning of the week with tonsilitus, .. that was unpleasant... but after downing my body weight in penicilin, on sunday march 3rd, I completed my first half marathon. iit was amazing! I am not in my fittest form at the moment, and only trained for 2 weeks, but we finished the 13.2 miles in 2hrs 28mins, right within our target time, so veryyyyy happy about that. But it got me thinking, the furthest I had ever run before was 6 miles, and i managed to double that and add some more! What a confidence boost. In this module i've started asking questions about confidence and what it takes to succeed in this industry, and really think just going for it with a truly positive mental attitude is the way forward. Of course there is loads more to be considered, but 2013 is a year of proactive and productive behaviour for me and I feel much better about life in general. Infact tomorrow night I will be auditioning for the London Philharmonic Choir, not for the career benefits,,, because im not sure that there are *that* many, but because, i love singing, i love singing beautiful harmonies in choirs, and because doing things I enjoy will help keep me in this positive and proactive mood.

I have created a cheeky lil survey for you all, it should take about 3 mins of your life to fill in so id be so very appreciative if youd have a quick look.
Thanks again guys, and in the words of legally blonde.... 'Keep it positive'... in fact il add a youtube clip of that song, just coz its good fun.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RPPYTMD

4b, SIG!

Hey guys, so to get some chitter chatter going, I've started a group on facebook, search http://www.facebook.com/groups/357590597687259/?ref=ts&fref=ts  alternatively search :   'SIG, success psychology, mentality in performing auditioning and the rest'   i've left the title of the group pretty wide because from what i've read on peoples blogs theres a fair bit of overlapping space. errr,, I've also added, BOBBIE, ANASTASIA, MEL BROWN, and HANNAH STEWART. so just get involved if your interested.i've added a few people outside of BAPP who are are in similar professional situations to see if i can get some extra opinions.

Theres also the sig group set up by bobbie, which is looking pretty lively , http://www.facebook.com/groups/357590597687259/?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/groups/499154283474027/?notif_t=group_added_to_group  get involved, heres a link.

Task 4a..a bit more

just after the last (and first of the  term) campus session, Rosemary came up with the question,  WHAT IS SUCCESS?  as in who is to say if we are successful or not, and when have we done enough to deem ourselves a success?

I cant question success and confidence without perhaps deciding what success is to me.

I do thin however being a 'success' is different depending on each line of work, and I also believe that success is down to the individual achieving what they have set out to achieve. I could have allll the money in the world, but if I have 'achieved' nothing in the process of earning that, I may still not consider my self a 'success'.

A good question and thanks to Rosemary!!