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Rejected by TV but Still Singing‬

20 Singers turned down by X Factor, Pop Idol and The Voice find a new way ahead.

VoiceCouncil Magazine speaks with Paul Stuart Davies about his new vocal “supergroup” who are trying to turn heads with their new release.
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What’s your experience been with Reality TV?‬
I auditioned for The Voice UK in November 2011 in Manchester. In the past I have auditioned for X Factor and Pop Idol too and have always made it through the initial “can you sing” stage.‬

Have you figured out why you were bounced off these shows?
When it comes to later rounds, your image and background seem to be more important; I have always been sent the “well done for getting

> read more

Your YouTube Vids -Top Tips

Get your on-line audience coming back for more –says Simone Niles

It’s been a privilege to be your vocal coach these past two months!

Over the past 9 weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos and offering feedback.

Before I depart and hand the reigns over to Daniel Borch, here are my top 5 tips for all singers with posting on YouTube.

Get your choice right. Choose a song that you really love or can relate to and spend time preparing it. You’ll be more soulful if > read more

Singing Reality Show Launches –NEWS RELEASE

“The Voice – UK” hits our screens on Saturday 24th March 2012.

25,000 singers have now auditioned from all over the United Kingdom for the latest singing reality show.

Jessie J, will.i.am, Tom Jones and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue take on the role of coaches rather than judges.

Vocal coach Juliet Russell has been working behind the scenes at “The Voice” and reveals aspects of the show that apply to all singers.

Tell us what we’re going to find different in this new ‘take’ on the reality genre.
What attracted me to the show in the first place is that the focus is on the voice. The celebrity coaches can’t actually see who is singing. They have their backs turned and if they like what they hear, then they hit a button and their chair turns around.

Will this be a more constructive process for singers than some other shows?
Personally I think the show has a great heart. The singers who make it as far as the blind auditions get a lot of support in terms of vocal coaching, performance and preparation and that’s fantastic. The celebrity coaches are all highly individual and each one has created a personal and unique place in the music industry. The singers can and do learn a lot from them.

We know about the celebrities, but tell us about the role of vocal coaches in the show.
My role is as a vocal coach on the national auditions tour and I coached singers to prepare them for the televised blind auditions, which is the stage where the celebrity coaches choose their teams and have their backs turned to the performer. It’s very exciting!

It sounds like you’ve heard a lot of singing.
25,000 singers applied to audition for the show, which is amazing for a first season and the national audition tour involves a huge team. We toured for most of November and travelled throughout England and visited Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in search of amazing voices and we definitely found them.

Have you set a new record for vocal coaching?
It could have been arduous, but everyone who I have met through being involved with The Voice has been great – really easy to work with and I think the show’s format is refreshing. The whole team wants artists to do well and for true talent to shine through. The show seemed to have a strong spirit and ethos from the start. I really hope this comes across on screen and I’m sure it will.

As a vocal coach, what qualities are you looking for from hopefuls?
Of course you want the singers to be in tune and to be technically secure. I like character in a voice; singers who have a unique and individual tone.

You hear a lot of singers – can you give us more inight about what makes a ‘voice’ soar above the rest?
Above all, it’s the emotional connection that wins me over every time. I want someone to mean what they are singing, to connect with the lyrics and make me hear them as if I’ve never heard the song before. I want to believe them and for them to move me. For me, that’s the difference between a good singer and a great singer.

Useful Links

Secure Your Singing Future

Juliet Russell is a founder and Artistic Director of Sense of Sound, a company that creates and produces amazing ways to celebrate singing. She has performed with some of the UK’s most illustrious artists including Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Paloma Faith, Seal, Imogen Heap and Ringo Starr. She has coached vocalists from Grammy award winners to X-Factor finalists and is passionate about developing artists and helping people to achieve their creative and vocal potential. www.senseofsound.org

Bio Photo credit Geraint Davies
Original Photo for feature image, CocteauBoy on Flickr

Your Voice, Your Goals

Three steps will unlock your career potential –says Simone Niles

As a singer, what do you really want to achieve?

Very often we have some idea about what we want, but in order to achieve a specific goal we need to > read more

No such thing as “TALENT”

Success at your vocal art means dedicating yourself to more than just one thing –says Mister Tim

When speaking of singers, actors, athletes, and artists, the world at large says “They have TALENT.”

That word is very misleading, because instead of a single TALENT, there are a group of TALENTS.

No one has a TALENT for basketball. What good basketball players have is a collection of TALENTS that allow them to play the game well: tall, strong, fast, coordinated, good special reasoning, good memory for and recall of specific plays, understanding of their teammate’s skills, ability and willingness to work hard in practice— a myriad TALENTS that combine to make a great player.

200 years ago there were people who were tall, strong, fast, coordinated, had good special reasoning, etc.

200 years ago the game of basketball did not even exist.

It would be silly to say that they had a TALENT for basketball. They had skills that could be beneficial for the game of basketball that could also be beneficial for other activities, but in that specific combination would allow them to play basketball well.

They had TALENTS, not TALENT.

Look at football players (American football or ‘futball’ –I love ‘em both).

At the professional level, EVERYONE HAS “TALENT.” You don’t get to that level without natural ability, athleticism, etc.

Success in Singing and in Life

What makes some players rise to elite status above others?

It might be that they have a few special skills the others don’t, but more often than not it is their competitive fire, their compulsion to improve, their relentless work ethic, their intellect, or sometimes just their willingness to start a little earlier and stay a little longer than other players that eventually pushes them to the top.

Apply this to singing: if you have aspirations to ‘make it big,’ realize that everyone you are competing with has just as much if not more “TALENT” than you.

In the modern world everyone has access to virtually the same resources as everyone else. Your chance to succeed will come as you take advantage of those resources and decide to spend the time needed to develop all your TALENTS to make your dreams come true.

When you are complimented as having TALENT, keep in mind the multitude of TALENTS that are being identified: stage presence, vocal control, a sultry low range or a clear high range, emotional presentation… all of these are different facets of what is identified as a single TALENT.

Add to my list of Talents

My Reactions To This Week’s Peer Review Vid

Sarah Dooley – Katy Perry Cover

I’m so lucky to have so many great young singers sending in their videos this past few weeks! I recommend you read my comments to the other young singers and think about how it applies to you. Specific recommendations for you, Sarah: film yourself singing this song at a live performance, when you are away from the safe studio and headphones. Does your performance come across as warm and dynamic to match your vocals? Can you maintain your level of vocal presence through a whole set, or are you straining or working your voice too hard? In a live performance you may have to pace yourself and learn to sound good while not singing at 100% for the whole performance.

-Mister Tim

Mister Tim is a modern voice artist who respects the history of the vocal arts while not being afraid to push into new, uncharted territory. He artistic directs an eclectic array of vocal ensembles that range from traditional choral to cutting-edge, technology-based, ultra-modern vocal rock bands. A published composer, award-winning recording artist, and in-demand performer and teacher, Mister Tim is also a viral video star, sponsored kazoo player, and dedicated husband and father. He created and sings with 2010 Harmony Sweepstakes champions Plumbers of Rome, internet sensations moosebutter, beatbox online teachers and performers Mouth Beats, and all-original vocal band THROAT. He also tours with his solo vocal live-looping/beatbox shows.
www.mistertimdotcom.com and www.vocalitysingers.com

Singing: No Secret Formula

The key to your success is more mundane and more possible than you might have guessed –says Mister Tim

Say this ten times fast:

Those that do, do. Those that don’t, don’t. Those that do sometimes don’t, but those that don’t never do.

It means this: often the difference between one who succeeds and one who fails is > read more

Get Competitive With Your Original Songs

YouTube star Sarah Bella’s tips for success in spreading the word about your music.

How do you get your foot in the door at singer-songwriter competitons?

Sarah Bella knows how – she’s one of ten finalists (out of 17,000!) at Guitar Center’s massive competition.

She’s on her way to LA now to meet Grammy award winning producer John Shanks and perform her music.

We asked Sarah to tell us how other singer-songwriters can get more exposure.

How did you hear about this competition?
In this case, I heard about the contest through family members who saw the advertisement. There are Tons of songwriting contests – google will bring up plenty. I don’t know of many Singer / songwriter contests, this was a rare opportunity, but an internet search is the best way to find out.

What did you have to submit – was it all on-line?
Yes, I just needed to link a video of myself performing an original song. I also linked my other social networking sites.

Do you get to practice in their venue first – or do you have to go on cold?
All the finalists will be able to do a sound check before the show starts. I just listen to the balance of guitar and vocals. I want to make sure you can hear both clearly, and I always hope for a great mic that really showcases the vocals.

Do you get to bring your own mic – or control any technical parameters for your live?
Everything is provided for us, except the instrument we play. I will bring my Taylor guitar to perform with.

What will you choose to perform – and what do you base that decision upon?
I have three songs I am debating between; I probably won’t make my final decision until that day. I’ve never liked set lists, I’d rather go off the crowd and the emotion that is in the atmosphere and base my decision off that.

After this contest do you think you will try to enter more?
I’m always open to songwriting contests and will continue to pursue any contest or event that may open more doors.

What will you do to get into the right frame of mind to do your best with your music on that day?
I’ll run through the song or songs earlier in the day so I feel prepared, and I like to drink something warm, like a cup of coffee. This weekend, I’m sure I’ll say a quick prayer before the show as well!

What do you recommend for other singer-songwriters to get their music into the limelight?
I recommend that each songwriter take full advantage of the resources around them, especially the internet. Build a fan base and continue to keep your listeners engaged and coming back for more. You never know who’s listening!

Useful Links

Songwriter’s Block?

Sarah Bella’s Songwriting Blog

Guitar Center’s Ten Finalists

Sarah Bella is a singer-songwriter from Michigan with a rapidly growing YouTube fan base. Her recently featured original song, Time Hasn’t Moved, has had over 300,000 views. Sarah’s songwriting recently caught the attention of the film industry and she’s now written the theme song for the independent film Rancho D Amour. Sarah is also a recent winner of “Detroit’s Got Talent” and, as a result, will be performing two of her original songs at the Detroit Pistons’ Game! Check out Sarah’s many original songs on YouTube.

Top Tips for Audition Success

These time honored truths will improve your audition success –says Mister Tim

I’ve been on both sides of the auditioning table for bands, plays, musicals, films, and vocal groups.  

Knowing what it is like for the “auditioners” can help you make a more effective impression.

Have some empathy. Running auditions is not > read more

The Joy of Auditions!

The “A” word doesn’t need to send you into hysterics –says Mister Tim

Believe it or not, I’m here to tell you how wonderful auditions are!

Auditions, you say? JOY???

As a singer, auditions are part of your life, whether you are trying out for a band, seeking a spot in a singing competition, shooting for a role in a musical, or trying to get the attention of a music executive.

Instead of something to be feared, I want you to think of Auditions as a doorway into some powerful opportunities.

Auditions Strengthen Performance

Think through the qualities you need to > read more

Laura Vane’s Shameless Self-Promotion

Feeling uncomfortable with marketing yourself means you’re on-track –says Petra Tool

I rarely use a real person’s name in titles of my work, but this one could only be named after my muse: “Miss Laura Vane”. (see full sized image below)

Offstage, she turned out to be way more down to earth than I expected. She was easy to approach – not only by me, but also by her fans.

I decided to pursue Laura on a subject we normally don’t associate with art: self-promotion.

Different Ways of Getting Noticed

One of the most unconventional ways Laura used to promoted herself was throwing around cards with her band’s name on it at the London Underground:

“Somebody actually did pick up the card and contacted me about doing a vocal session. It led me to the guy that I started writing with, 6 years ago.”

Laura was quick to add that she wouldn’t think of doing that now since she’s a bit older and wiser…and realizes that it was littering.

Over time, she’s become deeply immersed in social media, to make sure people who are interested, always know where to listen, buy the music or contact her:

“I’m at LinkedIn, Myspace, Youtube, Facebook, Soundcloud, have a mailing list, send out newsletters, and have a website.”

Laura and her bassist Ton have printed up business cards with info about their on-line forums.

They leave these everywhere they can.

“We’re constantly thinking of ways of getting the music we make, to the people.”

Shameless Self-Promotion

Will you feel uncomfortable or even feel some shame when you start to market yourself relentlessly?

At the beginning, you probably will. It’s actually a good sign; it means you are not playing it too safe.

You will get used to it, and from your experiences you will learn which strategies work for you.

You’re a Business

Laura stressed with me the futility of pouring so much energy into music without also telling people about that music.

Think of your singing as a small business – it’s part of your job to promote yourself, or your music will be unheard by so many people.

Read about networking, branding, sales marketing, search for inspiration at successful artists in all disciplines.

One of the most funny stories I heard was about a web designer who lived under a flight path of an airport, and painted his website address on his roof!

It makes your own crazy promotion ideas seem a lot more conventional, doesn’t it?

Petra Tool is a Dutch artist and artist’s coach. A gifted portrait artist, she explores the personalities of gifted performers, interviewing them about their talent, passions, the problems they face,
their insecurities and secrets of their success. You can find more information on her website.

Useful Links:

Laura Vane and the Vipertones
Music video
Laura Vane Live

More articles by Petra Tool:

The Road to Your Vocalist Dreams
Living With Critics
Moving Beyond Covers
Create Audience Magic

Painting: Miss Laura Vane – 70×100 cm – watercolour – Petra Tool

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