I am a Female Solo Rock Artist. Although I’ve always dreamed of becoming a performer since the first time I saw Axl Rose and Guns N Roses perform, it was until recently that I started doing something about it.
Just over two years ago I made the decision to get involved in the music industry by learning as much as I could about it, before attempting to jump start my own career. I started going to open jams all around Toronto and getting to know local musicians. It also gave me an opportunity to get to know the local musicians and learn from them about the industry.
I also started attending music conferences so that I could get advice from key players in the industry as well as having an opportunity to get to know them. I can remember that even from one of the first conferences I attended, Canadian Music Week I met people like Jeffrey Remedios (President, Universal Music Canada) and Eddie Kramer (Music Producer/Engineer, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss etc.). You certainly cannot learn the things you learn at these conferences in any classroom!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW
Last year I recorded my first songs with Producer John Angus MacDonald of Canadian Rock Band The Trews. It was a fantastic first experience at working with a producer to turn my songs from melody and lyrics into a fully produced single. As I don’t play an instrument the only way I have to write songs is to record my vocals with no backing and that is what I had to work with when I started working with John Angus.
Once then music was finished I sent the remainder of the year playing shows. In fact my first show ever was in Toronto at The Rockpile opening for LA Guns. It was an amazing experience as there was a huge crowd that night and I got to meet some of the band members, who remain good friends to this day. A couple months later I would get to open once again for LA Guns at The Whisky a Go-Go in Hollywood. To have my name on The Whisky marquee alongside LA Guns was something truly magical. I think I stood and stared at the marquee for what seemed like ages, trying to soak it all in!
By the end of 2017 I decided it was time to go back into the studio and record some new material. During 2017 I spent a lot of time in LA and was introduced by my photographer Igor Vidyashev to an incredible guitarist, Brent Woods. One day while I was telling Igor that I was looking to write and record some new music he recommended I reach out to Brent, as he also worked as a producer. As I had met Brent on several occasions and knew that he was not only an amazingly talented musician but and honest, hard working individual it made complete sense.
Brent and I agreed to meet this past December to start working on “finding a sound”. We literally spent the Christmas and New Years holiday season working on writing. In fact my birthday fell during that time and I recall Brent feeling bad that I was spending my birthday in the studio writing. I had to assure him that there was no better way I could have spent my birthday!
We currently have two songs completed and I am looking to recorded a few more this coming March for a possible EP release, although I would like to perhaps wait it out and complete an album.
Photographer is
Igor Vidyeshev