Indie Music

niecierocks

Everyone has dreams...but not everyone lives their dreams...it's not easy, it takes belief, will, focus, discipline, talent and hard work...but I'm here to tell you, that it is possible!!! I'm the type of person that if I want to do something, then I do it...and for that, I am happy & have no regrets...

Last night I received a GREAT article from Jen Yeko ("True Talent Management")...Her article was about TOURING...In her article about touring, Jen included responses from two artists...one had a very positive outlook & the other was negative...it really made me think about what kind of artist/person I am...I usually just read Jen's articles, but something struck a chord within, I had to respond, It was really late, and I was really tired, but I wrote her...she plans on using my response in her next email...here's what I wrote:

"Great Article Jen!!! Once again, Thank YOU!

Reading this article has reminded me what kind of artist I am...the positive artist who works her butt off... all the while remaining positive...

Why??? I am happy...I'm living my dreams every day.

I believe & define my success by how much of myself, my energy, my heart, my soul, I put into my dream of being a singer/songwriter....I LIVE MY DREAM...I DON'T DREAM MY LIFE!!! I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth...on the contrary...we were really poor...I watched my mom work her butt off, always remaining positive, and turn all of our lives around for the better! I carry a piece of my mom with me in everything I do....

I feel I've established a pretty good name for myself by playing out live as much as I can for over 7 years now...I had a pretty good life in the Virgin Islands, but I knew I had to sacrifice that life and move in order to be able to make my dreams a reality.

Do i have regrets? No! If I didn't move here to pursue being a singer/songwriter, then I would have been miserable thinking "What if...should of, could of, would of"...Not me...

For over 7 years I've been touring (UK, Ireland, Scotland, NY, Virgin Islands... Playing bookstores, Irish Pubs, Coffee Houses, House parties, Lounges, Cafes, Rock Clubs...building relationships, making new fans & friends, building an email list & following, selling merch, networking, learning the business, writing writing rewriting rewriting...

...I usually tour solo/duo as it makes it easier on me financially...but from time to time I'm able to put together great bands...like you said...it's not easy...if it were, everyone would be doing it!

Sheryl Crow is a GREAT example of not being so hung up on the age thing...it matters to some, but that should never get in ones way! Especially now...the industry is changing soooo much on a daily basis!!!

I love playing for all kinds of crowds in every kind of setting...it's the best preparation
money can't buy!!! Playing live has prepared me how to improvise, how to handle technical difficulties, how to connect with an audience, what songs get the best response, and more...

I want to share a true story about one of the FIRST live shows I did. I love sharing this story....I was asked to perform at "The Crooked Bar" (No longer exists, was below The Coconut Teaser)...I booked the show & some of my fellow peers asked me why I would perform at a dump like that...I didn't have the same perception they did...I LOVED "The Crooked Bar"...they had the best sound guy in Los Angeles (Henrique), who recorded your live performances and gave you a cd for $5...The sound quality was amazing & I even used a live performance I had there for my first cd "Fighting Darkness"...performing there was a wonderful education...I met the most wonderful people there...who are still my closest friends to date! Anyway, the night of my show, there was a small audience...maybe 7 people in the crowd...honestly, I didn't count how many...I wasn't concerned with the size of the crowd...I was there to perform & Boy, I sang my heart out!!! Talk about being at the right place at the right time...there was a scout in the audience looking for one more act to fly to Cozumel for a week with a number of other bands from all over the states for a big charity event... I got to hang & perform with some of the best in the business...another great education...not to mention everything was paid for!!!!

I put myself out there as much as I can...I learn as much as I can about my instruments, my craft, the business, marketing, promoting, writing songs, booking, touring...I work work work...and I LOVE what I do!!! I don't want to do anything else...That's the secret...LOVE what you do and committ to it...otherwise, why bother! I've found that I receive as much as I give...."-Denise Vasquez

There was soooo much more I wanted to write her, but I needed to sleep...basically, for those that are complaining that they don't want to play out...that's cool...more gigs for us that do want to play out...some people just make excuses, but how much of yourself are you really putting into making your dreams a reality??? When I'm not playing out, I'm rehearsing, writing, recording, doing homework, promoting, getting my music out there on the internet...there are soooo many other ways to get your music out, especially with the internet...it's hard for me to keep ahead...but for me, playing out is key, it's vital not only as a performer, but as a songwriter! I've learned soooo much from playing live, and I LOVE connecting with my audience! Speaking of which, I need to get back to recording...

;0)

PeAcE, LOvE, rOcK & Soul
Denise Vasquez
http://www.musicforte.com/member/niecierocks
http://www.denisevasquez.com
http://www.myspace.com/denisevasquez
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/niecierocks
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