Madalyn's Blog

by Madalyn Sklar



What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

I have been singing like forever. When my piano teacher, Mr. Thomas Corley, used to teach me lessons, I would sing or hum the notes and he finally just said "why don't you just sing at the recital instead of play the piano". So I did and my first song was "The Yellow Rose Of Texas" and i got a standing ovation and I just got hooked. When I was on tour and did my solo's it felt amazing. I guess I just HAVE to perform! I told my parents then I wanted to "Be a voice for those who don't have one" - seriously I came up with them.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

Like the song says by Barbara Mandrell, "I'm a little bit country, and a little bit rock n roll" and I have to add a little bit pop too, i love doing covers of paramore and katy perry and Justin bieber. I SO want to do a duet with him one day. Carrie Underwood inspires me and i get compared to her a lot. She's an amazing vocalist, but I write too, and I get compared some to Miranda and Taylor.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

Duh, HUGE crowds. Our Kidzbop tour did arena's like the Target Center in Minneapolis. But I love acoustic shows too like at Dosey Doe.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

Hmmm. I started playing guitar a year ago and I love it. It helps with my song writing for sure. I've really worked on songwriting and learning how to sing in the studio. It's way different.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Really good! I can play and sing every weekend somewhere. I do all the Opry's and Town Square's that I want to do. It's really great. It's a lot harder in LA and Nashville.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

I wanted to get my songs out there, my sister and I wrote most of them. They are stories about being a teen. So I guess, Taylor Swift kinda kicked the door open for us to do it!

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Write, write and write! Also, keep your vocal "instrument", like my dad calls it, in shape! Know your lyrics - and I really realized that singing the song fully through really gets you "into" the song. Some producers like to cut and paste vocals, but I think that's not right.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Hard work beats talent when talent won't work hard. My daddy tells me that all the time. So, hard work.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

Getting the 'no's' that I'm too young. I know my vocals are right up there, but the industry doesn't like us young girls. It get's disappointing but it just makes me want to succeed more and work harder.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

When we were on the Dr. Phil show, like 2 years ago, he told us that talent always will win out if it doesn't give up. I just keep going like an energizer bunny!

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I'm unstoppable, undeniable, uncontainable and unforgettable. Y'all are gonna wish one day you'd have signed me early! :-)

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Great connections and of course, my song being featured on the CD has been uber cool. I think it great for indie people to stick together and work to together and support one another, because nobody else will! I'm super thankful to be a member!

Check out more about Mary Sarah at:
http://www.marysarah.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Sarah/109974905078
http://twitter.com/marysarahmusic
http://www.youtube.com/hisbroker
http://www.reverbnation.com/marysarahspace

Copyright © 2011 Madalyn Sklar/GoGirlsMusic.com

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 15 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Labels: gogirls interview, Mary Sarah

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

I always did music to express my feelings. It has never been that hard for me to express myself on a day to day basis but there's a lot that is left unsaid in my days and nights. So I put that in songs. I also tend to express the feelings of others I come in contact with. Empathy really drives my music. So with that said I never felt I had to do music. It was just a part of my daily life, maybe my therapy. Taking music to a performance level was always driven by others who wanted me to sing. I have finally embraced that part of my music and really enjoy it.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

Rock'n'Roll and Blues. Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin and my husband Perry Robertson.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

Outdoor Festivals. Where people are letting their guards down and having fun.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

From playing guitar and singing folk songs to Rockin' the Blues in Europe. There have been a lot of others stages along the way and all inspired by the musicians around me.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Los Angeles is full of talented folks but not a lot of places to really let the music grow and breathe. L.A. has a lot of showcase places for those looking to do that. I enjoy seeing good bands in these situations but prefer not to play them.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

None really. We were helping a friend out who was getting used to some recording equipment. He asked us to "just play a set of songs while I work out the kinks". We set up in a circle and played 10 songs. We were shocked at the great sound he had created and asked him to mix it. It was LIVE without an audience. We had stopped for pastrami sandwiches on our way there so we named it "Pastrami and Jam"

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Play those songs a bunch before you record them. Songs grow as you play them. They simmer when you play them more.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Their willingness to work hard!

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

Not quitting. Not breaking up the band because of broken hearts and disappointment in the musicians who have become your friends. Kelly's Lot has been together over 15 years and 4 of us have been in the band for 13. We stayed together out of love and respect and a few "time-outs" along the way.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

Don't pressure yourself with expectations that don't feel natural. Work hard but have fun along the way! It is about the journey folks!

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I am just getting started!

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Meeting Madalyn Sklar and so many other women (and men) who love helping others. The GoGirlsMusic Fest is amazing and I am so proud to be a part of it every year.

Learn more about Kelly's Lot at:
http://www.kellyslot.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/kellyslot
http://www.myspace.com/kellyslot
http://twitter.com/kellyslot
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kellys-Lot/277433365117

Copyright © 2010 GoGirlsMusic.com

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Labels: gogirls interview, Kelly Zirbes, Kelly's Lot

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

Expression drives me... and I am my music. I can't really separate the two. Music is something I do, and it is an extension of who I am I tried to stop performing. I stopped all together for 8 years, but I just had to start again in 2008. I am not really sure what it was. Its like I didn't have a choice, like I had to come back. I don't know, I didn't really decide... I just did it.. .I just ended up here, playing. I was primarily acting before, but all the money I made was singing (musical theater, in other music related stuff). I have been on the stage since I was six (a LOOOOOONG time ago I was a ballet dancer, but then I wanted to tap because that made noise. Then it was the flute at 8, then modeling at 13, then acting at 15. I went with that learning the guitar along the way until I was 30. Then I was at a Tori Amos Concert in My "Oh shit I am turning 30" stage, and Tori was doing a cover of Landslide. So I became a social worker....And I specialized in Drama and Music therapy :) at 38 I started playing guitar again, started giging, and here I am!

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

Music Style: A quirky Blues. 3 Musicians: 1) Alicia Alicia was not only a great musician that left this world all too soon, but she opened the whole world for me. We were "foxhole buddies" and traveled Europe together performing on the streets in 1992. She showed me my first chords, and taught me the circle of 5ths. 2) Billie Holiday-That Voice!!!!!! 3) Bob Dylan Those lyrics and I could go on and on and on.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

Hah! One with a bathroom and toilet paper. Dream Venue? A green room to warm up in and relax in, steady water and coffee supply, plenty of time to sound check before performing, a good merch table, and one where I am not responsible for the # of people in the venue (i.e. the venue has a following)

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

It has started for one thing. I have a CD, and since 08, I have learned a WHOLE lot. Living in NYC a person is gonna learn alot in anything you try to do, I mean its not the kindest place in the world. But the most important thing, is that I know how to perform now, and I know how to engage the audience. Oh yeah, I can sing in tune and fret the chords so much better now too. :)

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Rough! There seems to be the beginning stage, where I am. One needs to have 10 people that will come to the show, and pay $10 a piece to see you play for 1/2 hour to maybe 45 min. Very hard to build a following in this way. I mean on ANY given night, in ANY given venue there is something fantastic going on, so the competition is tough, there are very few square miles, and MANY of us trying to get the same very few listeners. It really can be a rat race...But I do thrive on the adrenaline, and there are so many really fabulous people here, and I have been here so very long. So patience is a virtue, and one day, the right place, right time, and right handshake will happen, just like anywhere.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

Like I said, I don't know....I just had to do it.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Ahhhhhhhh.......Work with your producer first. Get feedback on the songs. There is NO RUSH!!!!!! Its better to pay for rehearsal time with the producer/director/engineer.....to have the songs in the best shape for recording, than to spend this money in editing or in the studio. In my experience, I was so much better at playing nd singing like 2 months after recording was over, that I wished I could do it again, which I couldn't of course. But the next time I have the fundage, I will know these things.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Emotional Health

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

Rejection. I was waiting to play a gig, and I had three people there (ok, not alot, but a start). But the venue wouldn't let me play because I didn't have 10 people there. It was embarrassing. Also, people always think they can tell you how to do this that or the other thing. But when feelings are hurt, they just hurt. And I get hurt easily, cause I am fragile. That is the toughest thing for me to deal with is when someone is like wow that was....different. And I know it was really BAD. And I know I played bad. It gets really hard to pick it up and try again the next time.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

If you have to do this thing called art, you will be back. And if you come back older, rusty, and creaky, it just feels like a whole lot of wasted time. If you stick with it, at the very least, there won't be anything wasted along the way, and you won't have to re learn stuff that got out of shape. Its easier to just stay in shape musically, than to get out of shape, and have to relearn. ( emotionally, stage fright, technical skill, and performance ability)

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I just want the music world to know I exist :) Hell, I just want my little part of the world to know I exist. I don't have to be a household name (but I have the time if the opportunity arises). OK, the real stuff is this. Music saved my life. many times I have been so depressed that I have wanted to die (hence the song Cortar De LA Venas) Janis Joplin sang to me "Little Girl Blue" while I lay in fetal position on the floor. I could get up and face another day. When the director walked out of a play that I wrote, and was staring in three days before opening night, Ani Difranco's "Not A Pretty Girl" kept me from jumping out the window. So yeah, its happy dance stuff too. and I love that, and I float on top of the notes the way a surfer takes a wave when I am at a Melissa Ferrick concert, but its as deep as my blood and bones too.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Oh shit, everything.. Trish and Rew are so great. I started doing the open mics, and I got my performing feet solid there. This was so important to me. Last year at Gay Pride we did a showcase at Stonewall, that was really good for me. The opportunities to meet other musicians is priceless, and these girls, and some of the friends I have made are priceless. Nothing can be as good as that. I just love the community, support. Shit I love everything. IT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Find out more about Inky Glass:
Have a listen!! http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2330155
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/InkyGlass1
Web http://www.inkyglass.com/
Face Book http://artist.to/inkyglass
EPK: http://www.reverbnation.com/inkyglass

Labels: gogirls interview, Inky Glass

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

Hmm...those are good questions! What drives my music? Well, I have always been inspired by music, since I could remember radio, musicals, MTV, I awe-struck by music, fascinated by music--it's not quite something that I can put my finger on, rather I find that music is a vehicle for me to explore. Music gives me permission to feel and to be in touch with my inner-being. I am first drawn to the chords, the beat, the vibe of a song and I am last drawn to the lyrics. Nine times out of ten, I'm not sure what a song may even be lyrically saying until I've made it a point to focus on the lyrical content! I know, probably many people are just the opposite and that's why that first lyric line of a song can make or break somebody's desire to hear the rest. With me, though, I am initially more in tune with using my right-brain to process a song, automatically asking myself, "How does this song make me feel?" With my classical piano background, as well, lyrics weren't really an integral part to the repertoire that I learned, rather interpretation was based more on melody phrasing of the notes. This stuck with me...until I started writing my own music a few years ago and then not only did I intuitively gravitate towards finding chord structures that allowed me to express myself, but I also "woke up" and realized that, "Wow, I have a lot I want to say and I'll be darn if lyrics aren't also important...maybe even more so!" So, to finally answer "What drives my music?" I'd have to officially say the combination of unique and compelling chord structures that allow me to explore the depths of my feelings, combined with the fact that for a long time, my voice was silent, dominated by others...until I went through some life-changing events that compelled me to find my voice and to lyrically speak "me." I have also been wildly driven by the question, "What makes people tick?" One of my favorite subjects is psychology and social psychology, so I find that I enjoy writing about people.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

My musical style is indie-pop-rock mixed with some modern-classical chord-structures. To my surprise as well, I have written with some jazzy chords, too, and those have turned out to be my favorite songs! Go figure, as I am primarily a musical lover of alternative-pop, grunge, radio hits and anything that's heavy :) I like loud, "balls to the wall" (pardon the expression!) music. I'm thinking, though, that my jazzy influence came from my love of soundtracks and Broadway musicals as a kid. Three musicians or artists that have greatly inspired me are: 1) Tori Amos for her stunning, stunning piano presentation mixed with compelling, thought-provoking lyrical content. Wow! I wanted to "be her." 2) U2 for their absolute dedication, musical prowess and gifted ability to "make an arena sing in peace." I also admire their vision to unite, their fearless approach to politics and their attempt to merge earthly "desires and destructions" with an outer-worldly approach. They have also managed to stay together and in a world where many things seem to be falling apart, I applaud that. As well, as a young child whose Irish, Air Force Pilot father was absent from my life, U2 filled this emotional space--their earliest albums some of their best. And they've always worked with tremendous producers! 3) Well, for number three, I'm going to combine a few, a) Lenny Kravitz, b) Seal and c) Soundtracks. While there is not a whole lot of correlation between the three (LOL!), I have to single-handedly say that without a doubt, I love Lenny Kravitz--I think that his music and his style rock! Amazing artist. Seal--wow, what an incredible voice, gifted and uplifting...beautiful, but with sadness. Soundtracks--what can I say--I adore soundtracks! A few of my favorites have been "Strange Days," "9 1/2 Weeks" and "A Chorus Line." I also have to mention Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr. AND Urge Overkill (love them!)--for my generation, these bands did it for me, too.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

Intimate, as it ups the ante. Although, my dream is to play an arena show! Haha! I know--but I have this love for the way the crews move in and out of these shows, they set up imagination and when the lights go down and the show comes alive---wow, fabulous!

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

Since I first started performing, my music career has expanded in the sense that what i bring to the live setting is somewhat different than my recorded work, so in essence, people who see me live see a different side of me.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Well, living in Los Angeles, the music scene is vast! As well, there are many of us here who are trying to pursue our dreams and play for the love of playing as often as we can. I find the hardest part is that for me personally, I want to be out there supporting other artists all of the time, alas much of the time I am also playing that same night, or rehearsing, or writing...and I think that many of us do the best we can to support each other, as well as try to gain our own audience and following.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

Well, hard times--emotionally and financially! I was going through life-changing events that I couldn't understand, I had so many questions, I didn't know what I was doing, what my role was---I wanted to ask and answer the "why" question of it all. I was focused on writing about my inner-dialog mixed with my external experiences and I think when I aptly titled my album, "To Be Human," when I look back, I realize that title summed it all up. "To Be Human" was the question and the answer. Through it all, I found some resolve. Writing my album was one of the most beautiful experiences--out of the pain comes light.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Your songs! By all means, if there is anything that I have learned over the past couple of years, it would be to not be afraid to "face your own music." Take a look at your song structure, your opening lyric line, are there any details you can add, or change to make the story even that much better. Write from your heart and don't be afraid to say what you feel. Go to song critiques and get feedback BEFORE you go into the studio. I would say the number one ingredient in preparing to record your CD project is pre-production! As well, I might add, that for me, at least...if I hadn't had the best producer in the world (haha, I really believe that!), I'm not sure what my CD would have sounded like. Wow, though, a good engineer / producer can make all the difference in your final product. As for saving time in the studio, I feel that comes back to pre-production on the songs themselves. ALSO...one of the best things I did as a singer-songwriter, was that when I went into the studio, I was not "stuck" on exactly how I wanted the songs to sound--it's okay to leave some of your chords open--allow other players who come in to do their own interpretation--that brings in the magic. I firmly believe that when I work with somebody who is also creative, be it a producer, my graphic designer, a business partner--I WANT them to bring their own style and ingredients to the mix. So, in essence what I'm saying is "trust." Trust them to do their job!

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

I think every musician has to learn to find a place of trust within themselves. This can be a very tough business. I know, I've been on the business side of it, worked for labels...I've seen how tough it can be. I am now on the artist side and I think, for me, the one thing that has been the toughest lesson to learn, to grow from and to build on is: Trust yourself, be true to you. Nothing else matters! "They" can go take a long walk! Haha! Love who you are because at the end of each song, each day--you have to live with you.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

The toughest moments for me in my music career quest have been balancing the left brain and right brain activities it takes today to really develop your own career! Today is so much about the 360 concept--being your own business, too!

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

Network. Network. Network. Get out there. Meet people. Attend trade-shows and music conferences. Get feedback. Help others when you have learned the ropes! Have a plan A. Have a plan B, too! Remember your passion.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

Well, I'm really excited that I just got singed with Gotham Records Music Placement! Woot! And on a completely different note, my biggest dream has always been in the International realm. I have always wanted to work for the UN, or work on peace-keeping missions, I have always wanted to help bridge communication gaps between people, nations.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

GoGirls Rock!! I have so enjoyed the community aspect of GoGirls--it is truly a fabulous gathering of female talent and artists and one of the most inspiring aspects of GoGirls from my observations and experience is that each member cares about their own community, their surroundings--they give back and work together to support each other. I remember the first time I saw Madalyn before I knew she was the founder of GoGirls--I had seen her on some instructional video talking about how to make your Facebook artist page work--LOL! I was so completely enthralled with this "cool chick" who seemed to know what she was talking about in the technical world (as that is my blind side) and she had it so together and then when I discovered GoGirls and realized that she was also the "fearless leader," I said to myself, "Wow, well, this has to be one helluva organization!" And it is!

Learn more about Kathleen at:
http://www.kathleenblackwell.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kathleenblackwell

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar/GoGirlsMusic.com

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

Madalyn's Sites:
GoGirlsMusic.com
Social Networks for Musicians

Labels: gogirls interview, Kathleen Blackwell

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

From a very young age, I've wanted to do music. I hardly watched TV; I listened to music instead, fantasizing being on stage, but I was extremely shy and had severe stage freight. I would write lyrics to future songs, sing them in my room or the shower, and just kept hoping I could be good enough and fearless enough to get on stage someday. Thanks to living in Japan and being dragged to karaoke bars, I got used to singing in front of people. I was a late bloomer. When I started my first band, there was no turning back.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

I tend to weave my genres; it's not a conscious thing, but I chalk it up to my multi-racial background, growing up on R&B and rock. I like to sing in a bluesy way, I like to write stuff I can dance to, and I love hard guitars, bass and drums that I can headbang to.

As for my songwriting style, I wrote journals for years, so that autobiographical style/viewpoint seems to be prevalent in my lyrics.

Three musicians... difficult to limit to three. But Living Colour was particularly inspirational because, for one, it was the first concert I'd ever been to. I didn't know who they were, a friend invited me, and I was blown away. Of course for their unbelievable power and musicianship, but also because I'd never known there were African-Americans like me who loved rock music. A big eye-opener, and very liberating.

I really love Pink for her songwriting, her resilience and humor, and I like the way she (and her producers) can do different genres on the same album and make the album sound totally cohesive.

I love Chaka Khan for her singing range, her attitude, you name it. She can sing any genre, she can sing any cover and make it her own. She's an R&B legend, but to me, she's a funky rock chick. I want her to do a rock album so badly.

There are so many more...

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

I'm sure everyone says this, but a great sound system with competent people to run it! I did the bar band thing for years, and from that experience I've learned that I love a venue where people come to discover something new, and actually appreciate it. I don't mean silently listening, though. I like an active crowd, dancing, headbanging, responding in some way. And if they sing the hook back to you, ahhhh.....

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

When I first started, I knew absolutely nothing about music (!) and had no idea who I was as an artist. I just basically got on stage and sang cover songs I liked. I let my band handle everything else, from the arrangement to setting up the PA for rehearsals. I certainly didn't know anything about the business/marketing/promotion end. Now, I know my voice, I know how I sing and what types of arrangements complement me. I do my homework, am prepared, keep up with the business/marketing/promotion, and let my existence known to various bookers, venues, and others in the industry. I'm my best and most enthusiastic cheerleader.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Like most cities, venue attendance is down, including in Osaka. But there is definitely a market for "niche" type artists. The Japanese like quirky stuff and are very group-oriented, so once you find a group of fans, word will spread quickly, and they'll be loyal to the end. The underground scene seems to rule right now. My music isn't particularly quirky, but I am unusual enough in that I'm a plus-size foreign woman with a huge afro doing rock in English, so I stand out, so I guess that puts me into a niche. I've been getting more attention lately, so I'm looking forward to the next several months to see where this new attention leads.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

My latest (May 08) and only release (so far), "The Blazing Heart", represented my determination. I'd spent years trying to get my music together, but it always seemed like my music would never see the light of day. It took years to find someone who understood my vision and could arrange the songs the way I wanted, or even surpass my vision. Of the four songs on the EP, two are older songs I'd written years ago; the other two were new at the time. So I combined the old me and the new me, and gave it the title "The Blazing Heart" to remind myself of how far I've come, and to remind myself to keep going.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Fortunately, I hired a very organized producer, and I learned a lot from him. He had a time schedule, he knew exactly how he wanted the song to go, the exact drum pattern, the exact tone of the guitar, and he hired experienced session musicians who could take direction. He did a lot in pre-production. So this saved a lot of time.

As for preparation for a CD project, I think the number one thing is to know your song and how you want to play it and sing it. Any song you plan to record, you should really have it down pat, by playing it live as many times as possible, not just in band rehearsals. New ideas - lyrics, phrasing, melody, chords - will always come. In a live situation, friends can give honest feedback, and you can see how the crowd responds to certain songs. The more you perform a song, the tweaks get worked out, so the smoother the studio session will be. So it's best to go into the studio with a song that you're confident in; that you'll be satisfied with. Because once it's recorded, that's it.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

The ability to handle the fact that not everyone will like your music. Or the courage to venture out of your comfort zone and perform at a venue in a different state or somewhere far, in front of total strangers who aren't into you at all. You really need to be thick-skinned. It's cliche but true: Only the strong survive.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

A great opportunity that never came to be... Thanks to a GoGirls opp, I was to be featured in a print magazine called "Figure" earlier this year. But the magazine went bankrupt, so my feature/interview was never published. That kind of exposure meant so much to me. Really broke my heart.

Lots of money wasted/lost on a promoter who I realized didn't really promote me at all, during my acoustic tour of L.A. last November. That made me feel really stupid, totally violated and taken advantage of.

Both the good and (especially) the bad are learning tools. What you do with the new knowledge is the important thing. I know I won't make the same mistake next time.

These setbacks made me tougher, and made me change my strategy. So I decided to market myself where I live and perform (Osaka), even though I wasn't sure the Japanese audiences would dig me singing originals in English. But it turned out to be a very good decision, as things are really picking up, and I feel very confident and excited for the first time in a long time.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

You really have to do your homework, not just the performing side, but the business side. It takes patience, time and consistency. Do research. Read books. Read biographies of famous artists, to see what they went through before hitting the big time. Be prepared for the setbacks and enjoy the big opportunities, but with a grain of salt. When something doesn't go your way, you have to be able to say to yourself, "That opportunity wasn't right for me," instead of thinking "I'm not good enough." You can't sit back and wait someone to "discover" you and help you. You have to make it happen for yourself. Even when things look bleak, or don't turn out as you'd hoped, you have to keep your focus, keep believing in yourself, keep selling yourself and take control, of both your career and your emotions.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I am the Rock n' Roll Soul Chick!!

I'm working on material for my next CD project, and one of those songs will be used for my first music video. Hopefully I can shoot it by next Spring. The material this time will have simpler arrangements but with a harder feel, perhaps more blues-rock/hard rock, and the lyrics...hmmmmm....I'll need a "Parental Advisory" label for this one! LOL.

Would love to visit my hometown Philadelphia (go Phils!) next summer and be able to do a few shows.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Though I live in Japan and as of yet there's no chapter here (I've been thinking of starting one, actually), and I can't really fly out to do showcases, I still think GoGirls is such a valuable resource. Members offered advice when I was planning my tour of L.A. last year, and I even met a few face-to-face while there. What a cool group of chicks! :-) There are always new opportunities to check out and new things to discover from the websites and group discussions. Even though I'm far away, I never feel alone. Sounds corny, but true. I always recommend GoGirls.

More on Davina Robinson at these sites:

WEBSITE http://www.davinarobinson.com/
FACEBK www.facebook.com/davinarobinsonmusic
YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/rocknrollsoulchick
CD BABY www.cdbaby.com/cd/davinarobinson
MYSPACE www.myspace.com/davinarobinson

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

Madalyn's Sites:
GoGirlsMusic.com
Social Networks for Musicians

Labels: Davina Robinson, gogirls interview

by Madalyn Sklar



What drives your music?

Not too sure, there is something within that keeps telling me to not stop this... seem to always end up at music somehow?

When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

Think it goes beyond music, I discovered early on I wanted to be center stage, even though I am very very shy and always screaming inside... when it comes to switching into performance mode I just know I feel it and able to own it...

I have felt that way since elementary school plays and playing cello with the UT String Project concerts.

I just have always felt very comfortable performing whether it is dance, acting or music

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

As far as my band Scorpio Rising, the music style is very Motown slash Rock style.

Me personally - I dig music period... and hate trying to label or separate into specific genres..

I can feel deep into music like some old school Pink Floyd or King Crimson to hot driven aggressive Rob Halford with Judas Priest... Rob is very inspiring he is so great. So hard to narrow down to 3 individuals when I have been inspired by maybe just one song from a band to an entire record from 1st to last song... but as far as power and success Madonna is pretty darn cool to admire and be inspired from. I have always said that Gene Simmons was a good inspiration, that dude just keeps pumping out the products in so many forms it is insane but as far Gene the bass player in the band and his character - fuckin’ rox, I love that stuff!

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

As far as a music venue and performing... good PA with monitors and a sound engineer that knows the room and really runs sound while you play.

Scorpio Rising will play to any cliental and with any other band on a bill.

Playing a venue where the staff does not act as if you are a pain in the ass and waste of time is always really nice.

I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles for a club to be cool to me.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

I started performing in a band called Retarted Elf back in 89-90 to 00-01. We took ourselves serious and made a name for our selves. We were making $1500.00 guarantees at clubs across Texas on a regular basis... now... things have changed and people don’t go out to see live music as much, so hard to say it has evolved in a growing sense ahahah seems to have definitely changed though... its all about different media these days and what I see is how it affects the music career in how it is marketed, distributed and packaged now. Personally as a singer I have evolved more in the studio and perfecting my sound, I am always learning. The music career seems to be spinning.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Austin will always be one of the coolest cities to live and perform in. Austin is going through a lot of growth changes and the music scene is affected in many ways, however there always seems to be a place to perform but just not as much local support as you would think for the “music capitol” which means no money... no pay.

There are too many places that want to do live music but don’t know what they are getting in to... expect you to perform for no money and bring a PA! These places have no business trying to do live music in my opinion for some reason a lot of places expect to get rich off booking bands... but don’t support the bands they book.with advertising.... no promotion at all... sort of a loose - loose situation.

There are plenty of artists in Austin, not running short on that, just running out of good vibe venues to play with good vibe staff and location that know how to conduct business right.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

To finish a project! Our inspiration was not having anything new and we had to get something out there with our new drummer!

The last CD was with our new drummer - having new blood is very inspiring.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

#1 Homework - know your parts. The worse thing is to half ass it and then when listening to the final product saying, "oh man wish I would have done this or that."

You will probably end up with a box of CD’s sitting there for a long time so when ordering your numbers order in bulk to keep cost down but don’t get too crazy, unless you have 1000 pre orders... do not get more than that!

Have your art ready to go - that can hold your project up for ever.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Seen more break than make to be honest... distractions and additions will always bring the musician down.

Just starting out - deal with it... you will be hungry starving... no money... struggling better have thick skin and be able to handle criticism. Be ready to have your heart broken and turn it into stone…hide the weakness!

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

It has been tough the entire time. When my band Retarted Elf stopped playing that was tough to deal with... when there was a burning desire to rock the stage it made me get Scorpio Rising up and running in more full force. Scorpio Rising dealt with having our drummer quit right after finishing our CD “Vain Bastard” for release... that sucked... having to back up and put it in a different gear... but we managed to find another drummer and have put out a CD with him on it which is very cool

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

Thick skin... and don’t show gaze, give the fans what they came for - practice.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I am Madame Scorpio here to rock with you.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Couple shows, we are playing the GoGirlsMusicFest at Momos Oct 27th

Would like everyone to know we’re playing at Cactus Café in the Texas Union on UT campus Friday Oct. 2 - Wonderbred’s bday party!!! Would love some gogirl support!!

More on Scorpio Rising at www.myspace.com/scorpiorising and www.facebook.com/scorpiorising

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

Madalyn's Sites:
GoGirlsMusic.com
Social Networks for Musicians

Labels: gogirls interview, Madame Scorpio, Scorpio Rising

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

I think two main things drive my music. First I'm driven by the song writing process and the never-ending quest to write that "perfect" song. I love the potential and endless creative possibilities of not knowing what you are going to come up with next and always feeling there is room to improve. Second, I'm driven by the pure love of performing and being part of a band. After my last band, Slushpuppy, broke-up and my husband and I were busy having a baby, I thought I'd "take a break" from music.-- at least the performing aspects -- and it just felt like a lost some core part of me. A friend of mine even said "It's like Dawn isn't Dawn anymore" -- and that was my wake up call that I needed to get back on the saddle !

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

My musical style is pure rock and roll -- classic rock, alternative rock, "pop" rock...basically anything that has distorted, chunky guitars and a great beat and strong memorable melody. Since I'm the lead singer, guitar player and main songwriter of the band, I have different musical influences for each piece -- but if I had to name top three: U2 , Foo Fighters and Pat Benatar --- all three of these have influenced me vocally, guitar-wise and in songwriting.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

My ideal venue is any place where there is an appreciative and attentive crowd that is there to really listen to what you are doing. I've played festivals/ venues with hundreds (even a couple thousand) of people and sometimes you don't have as satisfying of a gig as you do in the club where you played to only 20 people...because the audience of 20 was more attentive and there to really give you a chance and listen to your music...

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

I've gotten a lot pickier with the gigs that my band will play. This is not due to being a "diva" or anything...but really more just a function of the fact that I am juggling a lot more in my life these days (a demanding day job and raising a family) and therefore have only limited, precious time to devote to my music. Also every time the band plays, I have to pay my side players and I have to pay a babysitter since my husband is in the band too --- so we really need to be careful about how much we spend vs. what we are making with the band. Sometimes I miss those days with my former band where we would literally just jump at any and every chance to play -- sometimes playing 4 or 5 gigs a week. Then on the other hand, I think that is also a sure fire way for an unsigned band to "burn out" -- these days you need to be more strategic about where , when and how you play. I also do a lot more acoustic solo gigs -- these are great b/c they don't cost me anything and I can have a greater flexibility to just show up somewhere on short notice. I used to be uncomfortable doing things without the support of my band behind me. Playing stripped down you feel much more vulnerable when you used to having all those loud amps and drums around you... but out of necessity I've forced myself to get comfortable doing it this way and it's been really good for me and well-received.

The other way my musical career has evolved is that I no longer am chasing around that always elusive major record label deal. The biggest mistake I with my prior band is that we never officially released a product -- we made "industry demos" and would shop them and then be completely at the mercy of all the labels. We would sell or give away those demos at our shows -- and since they weren't a complete packaged product, we always sold them for like 3 dollars.... we made at least 4 demos over the years and sold a couple thousand of them, but since we never had a UPC code or any way of tracking them...all of that went unnoticed and the money went to buy drinks, etc... instead of being systematically re-invested back into the band. I've learned since then to take more responsibility for the fate of my own career.



How would you describe the music scene in your area?

The music scene in the greater New York metro area is always a difficult nut to crack -- on the one hand, there are a ton of venues to play (especially in the city itself), but on the other hand trying to keep up with which venues are the "hottest" underground places to play is a daunting task. It seems to change weekly ! Secondly, there are just soooo many bands and musicians which makes the scene very crowded and very uneven. The clubs care more about how many people you can bring than how good you are. Quite frankly, it's not a great situation for the music fan -- Think about it, they come to a club to see your band play -- they pay the usually high-priced cover, then buy an overpriced drink, then the venue is usually running behind and the music fan has to endure one or more bad bands before getting to see the band that they came to see. Then the sets are only 35 minutes or so, so usually after that they want to stick around more...but again the band that follows may not be good. This is why what we always try to do is get on a bill with bands we already know -- or better yet, get the venue to let "us" book the entire night. At least this way we can ensure that all the bands are of the same caliber.

I live about 30 minutes outside New York City in a great eclectic town called Maplewood, NJ. There are a lot of musicians and music lovers out there and a bunch of us got together about a year ago to start a musicians collective called "Rock The House" NJ. We rent out the local community center and put on a rock show compromised of all local bands. It's all ages, so folks bring their kids. It's a great alternative to having to go trek into the city to see a rock show (and endure what I was talking about before). We've done 5 installments so far and have had over 200 attendees at each. We've just started to branch out and invite out of town talent onto each bill to keep the bill's fresh and not over exposure the same

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

Many of the songs on the latest CD were the result of personal heartbreak -- but not from a romance as one might think, but actually from the breakup of my former band, Slushpuppy. That band was like my family. In fact, each of the members (all male) were like my songs... since it was before I had any children of my own, I definitely looked over and cared about those boys like I was their mother (or at least older sister :) When the lead guitarist and bass player when behind my back and started jointly plotting to leave the band -- I saw it as a real betrayal and was devastated. They had both joined the band after the group had already been out there for number of years, they came in at a time when the band already had label interest, had carte blanche playing the top venues in the airing, and was getting radio play. Looking back, I don't think they realized how lucky they were and how much effort it takes to get a project to even that level. They left for the promises of "greener pastures" --- which of course never ended up materializing. The story is actually quite tragic b/c my former bass player ended up in a sever depression that he was never able to climb out of....and in fact, he is no longer of this earth because of that sickness. Looking back on it now with clearer vision, I can see that it was all just self-sabotage behavior on his part , but at the time I took it all VERY personally. Songs like "Misunderstood", "We Are" and "See Me Fall" were all written as a direct response to their actions. At the same time this was happening, my two best-childhood friends (who married each other in 1990) decided to get divorced after 14 years of marriage..... so... let's just say there's a lot of darkness on that record, which is a little weird for me now because I'm in a much happier place. Some fans have commented on the disconnect between my upbeat, positive outlook and the dark, aggressive lyrical content on the CD, but that is where I was in my life then and an artist can only do their best to represent what is going on in their lives (and in their heads) at that moment. I'm now in the midst of writing many more upbeat and happy songs. I have a new song called "You Are My Everything" that is written for my husband (been married 15 years) and that's getting a lot of good response.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Do a lot of pre-production ! Let a non-invested third party expert (e.g. a producer) listen to your tunes and comment on them. As songwriters and musicians we get so used to hearing things a certain way sometimes you can't see accurately what the song may need --- e.g. removing a verse, adding another chorus, shortening a part... etc... I also think that we are so lucky today to have such powerful digital editing tools -- and given that a musician should really be focused on capturing the energy of their performance as opposed to hitting every note accurately. Those little errors can be fixed with the magic of the editing... but no amount of editing can capture the "magic of the moment".

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

I can think of two things that will break a musician: 1) trying to keep up with the "jones" and following trends in the industry as opposed to playing what is "authentic" for that artist and 2) thinking that you can just concentrate on the "music" part of the music business and leave all the business stuff for someone else to do.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

Well the Slushpuppy break up was definitely probably the toughest moment. We were getting played on KRock, had Jagermeister sponsoring us and talking about adding us to the next Ozzfest... we had lots of buzz and momentum behind the band, and when the guys all up and quit I was so hurt and angry I just didn't think I had any fight left in me to keep going it alone. I needed to take a break and really look in the mirror and think about what I really wanted from this thing called music. What I found was that I wasn't really being authentic in terms of the music I was writing or playing back then. I was trying to be something I wasn't just to placate the other members of the band (that wanted the music to be really heavy, angst-ridden hard rock). So I decided to retire Slushpuppy and start my current band, NEW DAY DAWN with music that was created on my own terms. Now when I get up on stage, I don't feel like a phony.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

I would say if you are pursuing music primarily for the reasons of becoming rich and famous, then you should really take another look at it. There's certainly easier and more guaranteed ways to make a living out there. The best advice I can give is to continue to take a good hard look at yourself and decide whether you are speaking your truth. If you are speaking your truth than your music will resonate with others. Also, redefine success. If you are doing what you love... even if it isn't making you rich or famous... isn't that in and of itself "success" ?

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I'm not only a musician and songwriter, but a corporate lawyer by day...and a wife and mother of a very energetic 4-year old. Specifically, I am the Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for NBC Universal Television. This means I spend my days negotiating and drafting contracts for multi-million dollar content licensing deals and I also am an adjunct professor at NYU where I teach a course called "Music and The Law". Of course my legal experience certainly helps when I'm doing the "business" side of music, but at the same time it also can be a hindrance. When people hear that I'm an accomplished lawyer, they will usually dismiss my music as just a 'fun hobby' --- that is until they hear it and then I get the surprised "oh my god, you are actually really good ?" I used to try to hide my multi-faceted personality ... but now I'm over that. I am who I am :)

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

As Madalyn always says, you get out of it what you put into it and to be honest, I have only started really getting involved in GoGirls over the past few months. That said, I'm looking forward to all the wonderful opportunities to gain exposure for my music and establish an ever better support group. Knowing that there is a group of women around the country (and beyond) that all share a similar dream (in one form or another) and all are willing to help each other is really invaluable. I can't wait to get out there and play shows with many of them and to meet many of them! It makes it especially great that we are all women -- I think that as women we have a unique way of seeing and interacting with the world, and we also need each other (especially those of us in the rock genre) since the field is so dominated by men!

Check out the following links for more on New Day Dawn:

http://www.newdaydawnband.com/
www.myspace.com/newdaydawnband
www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/New-Day-Dawn/26363442129?ref=ts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnyVj0IOSj8&feature=related

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

Madalyn's Sites:
GoGirlsMusic.com
Social Networks for Musicians

Labels: Dawn Botti, gogirls interview, New Day Dawn

by Madalyn Sklar



What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

Fortunately, (or unfortunately.... depending on the day) I got infected with the "music bug" at a rather young age. I was playing in a rock band when I was 14 years old and began writing my own material out of frustration for all the covers I was having to play and for the lack of inspiration on popular radio. There really isn't anything I've been more passionate about than writing and playing music... so it's been "bust" from the get-go.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

It's hard to put music in a genre, I think. I've been called everything from "chick rock" to Euro Americana to alternative folk. I'd like to consider myself a singer/songwriter first, but playing live with a band certainly puts an edgier spin on the lil' folk songs I compose. I'm a huge fan of Chrissy Hynde because she not only rocks, but she is an animal activist and overall kind human being. She really inspires me to strap on my guitar, be feminine, yet give the songs hell when need be. I can't help but love the Rolling Stones. Great songs.... consistency.... legends that just wont stop. Ya gotta love it! Adam Duritz (counting crows) is my favorite songwriter... he fascinates me with his use of words, phrasing, and his melancholy approach.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

My expectations have changed drastically over the years.... my ideal atmosphere now is really a good sounding venue with people who love live music and songwriting in general. In the perfect scenario they would also know my material and be able to song along to what they may have heard on the radio or previous shows. I've become a bit burnt out with the club scene ..... I've outgrown having drinks spilled on me half the night and having Lynard Skynard request yelled from the back of the room by the drunkest local.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

It's been a great journey and I've learned so much. Looking back over the past 10 years I do have so much to be grateful for .... I've been promoting my own material...working from an indie label....doing basically my own radio promo and then finally having the opportunity to have a publicist work the latest CD in Europe. I've gone from having my music reviewed in my local hometown newspaper, to having reviews in countries that I can barely translate the language. It's more than exciting and at times seemed surreal.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

I live in Maine, so the music scene is not as obvious as NYC OR LA... but there are definite opportunities to play and make your mark. We have great venues in New England.... I've lived close to Canada for several years and take the opportunity to tour Atlantic Canada at least once a year. Being in Maine has also forced me to travel a great deal, but it's been a great experience. It's actually quicker for me to fly London than LA anyway- you gotta love that!

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

I think I quit the music business every other day while I was writing this record. I was promoting my Better Days CD and was on the road pretty heavy and feeling like maybe it's not all worth it. I was going through a lot of personal stuff (who isn't right?) and just knew I needed to make some major changes.. professionally and personally. I really love this last CD. If it's my last, I'm very proud of how it ended this extreme adventure. That is why I titled it Laurie Jones... because I think it just about sums up everything. Maybe it should have been called "Meet Laurie Jones". Either way, I'm very happy with it.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Plan ahead! Practice, practice, practice..... be prepared when you go in the studio. it saves so much time and money. If your taking a full band with you make sure you're well rehearsed for sure. On another note, be true to yourself and your vision. Recording is so permanent... make sure you're happy with the outcome and stick to your guns.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Attitude is everything! Focus, Focus, Focus!

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

I did the whole Nashville scene and recorded w/ a small label several years before my CD "After the Crash". To make a very long and sad story short... it ended up sour. I was very disappointed... lost a great deal of money and ended up with cases of CDs that I'm not happy with. I was heartbroken for several years over the experience. I was so naive, but gosh was it good for me! It made me understand the music biz a bit more and realize that I was in charge of my own destiny. No one was, or ever will be, handing over anything to me on a silver platter.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

I would say that staying positive is so important. What you put out there in the universe is gonna come back to you.... see it, think it... believe it. Ultimately you ARE doing it.. perhaps on a different level than you may be satisfied with, but hell, you're living the dream girl! You're playing your music and have the courage to pursue it. That alone is success in my book.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I'm currently taking a breather to reassess the next big move and have cut way back on my gigs. I'm loving having the freedom to write new songs right now without the pressure of having to travel and keep up with a hectic tour schedule. I'm rediscovering how much I love being a songwriter... how rewarding it really is... and perhaps the songwriting really IS the best part. I'm working on a new project to touch back on my "folk tendencies" and I'm at a comfort level that I have not felt in years.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

It's been a great resource. I've been able to do showcases in other parts of the country... meet fantastic musicians.. network on so many levels. there is so much power in numbers! chicks do rock!

More about Laurie Jones at http://www.myspace.com/lauriejonesband

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

Madalyn's Sites:
GoGirlsMusic.com
Social Networks for Musicians

Labels: gogirls interview, laurie jones