My new song "Feel This Way" was featured on Hollywood Heights

I'm super excited because my newest song "Feel This Way" was just featured on episode 166 of Hollywood Heights. It closed the show! What an amazing feeling to have my music played on one of my new favorite shows. I have posted a video on youtube where you can hear my song. It goes live on iTunes tomorrow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObU9OWlfNOQ&feature=youtu.be

TV Placement! My song "Everything Fades" featured in Hollywood Heights episode 102

Finally! Proof that TV doesn't rot your brain, it helps your music! I just got my first television placement in episode 102 of the new Nickelodeon show Hollywood Heights. The episode airs at 9/8 pm central on Nickelodeon on Tuesday, June 19th. My song, "Everthing Fades," is featured towards the end of the episode. Check your local listings to see when Hollywood Heights is playing on your TV.

I am so excited about this placement and I am crossing my fingers hoping there are more where that came from. It's such an incredible feeling to know that such a large audience of new people that have never heard my music are going to hear it tomorrow on national television. My music is going to help tell a story that touches people. WOW. I'm so excited to see how the song has been placed. So, mark your calendars or set your DVRs and let me know what you think of the show, of my song, and how it fit in the scene.  The song will be available on itunes when the episode airs. But, if you join my mailing list, I just might share it for free :)  www.phoebesharp.com

Thank you for all your support. Spread the world like wildfire!

~PS

Moving from Open Mics to Full Shows

I opened my email today and found an article from CD Baby discussing exactly what I was pondering: How to transition from open mics/writers rounds to my own shows? I found this article very helpful. It definitely reminded me that it is important to start an email list early, always promote myself wherever I play, grow a community of musicians, and really utilize writers rounds. In Nashville, there are a plethora of writers rounds. I play a lot of them, but I want to start branching out to more venues. My ultimate goal is to do my own shows and I think the next logical step would be to open for some bands who already have a good relationship with venues and a larger fan base.

Anyway, I really loved this article and just wanted to share it with you all (or y'all as they say it in the south). http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2012/05/7-tips-on-how-to-transition-from-open-mics-to-longer-gigs/?utm_source=DIYNews&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=060712

Does any one know of any bands I could open for? Are you going through the same transition right now?

~Phoebe

OH CANADA, Day 4

As hoped for, my Montreal recording session is feeling out of this world. I can't wait to share my new music with everyone. It feels really good to be proud of a project. Today we finished writing, produced, and recorded final vocals on a BRAND SPANKING NEW song that we wrote in our co-write on Friday (June 1st). This track will have a lot of unexpected and exciting sounds, so get ready! My producer, John Nathaniel, even created sound effects with his ipad and iphone, and I did some vocal drumming.

So far, we have four songs fully recorded. I plan on writing a few more new songs as well as record some tunes that I have been trying out at writers rounds back in Nashville.

A new week = new things. I've tried three new things today:
1. Running on the treadmill barefoot (ouch, probably won't do that again)
2. Iced Coffee (feeling a little hyper!!! I should never drink caffeine)
3. An ice mask (brrrrrr)

John is also making me try some new techniques while recording vocals. My "favorite" and the most humiliating one being the pen trick. This involves placing a pen in your mouth and speaking your lyrics while focusing hard on annunciating. The worst part is that I had to do this in front of my investor and her daughter. LOVELY! lol

Right now, I'm listening to my newest song while John is working on it. It has some creepy parts! LOVE IT! After creating a really weird sound effect, John said, "That's what you get for playing with vampires, Phoebe." SMILING


Aurevoir,
Phoebe
(did I mention they speak french in Quebec?)

OH CANADA, Day 1

I LOVE CANADA. If I wasn't living in Nashville, TN, I would probably want to live in Montreal, Quebec.  This city has such an amazing energy and a European flare. It's full of art, old buildings, music, unique people, and interesting graffiti everywhere. It's an amateur photographer's worst nightmare because I just want to take pictures of EVERYTHING! I've been working in the studio with my amazing producer, John Nathaniel. We had a very important co-write today with another person who I will keep a secret for now ;) All I need to say is that I have a really good feeling about this record. I am so ecstatic about the songs we are writing and recording. It feels so wonderful to be creating a FULL body of work, instead of a small sampler.

This evening, we took a break earlier and went out to a Thai restaurant called Zing (did I mention Montreal has incredible food?). At this restaurant, I discovered my soulmate in dessert! It's as if this pie was made specifically for me.  Any peanut butter lover will agree that this dessert was sent directly from heaven:

Well, it's back to work now. We are going to record final vocals on the the first song going on my album :) 

~PS

Pictures from Kimbro's Cafe show

The Harp Guitar...yes, it does exist!

I realized yesterday, at Taps in Nashville (5/13/12) that I have been going about this all wrong. What I need to be doing is learning to play the HARP GUITAR...yes, it does exist!

Which mirror should I look in? (my struggle to find my "image")

In each artist's development, a five letter word always comes up: IMAGE. Despite our protests, preaching that what you look like shouldn't matter and screaming "LET THE MUSIC SPEAK FOR ITSELF," appearance does actually MATTER. Even though at first thought, one might say the whole world is superficial, the first sense we employ when meeting a new person for the first time is sight. Statistics say that people make a judgement on someone within the first 7 seconds. You then have 90 seconds to reinforce that judgement. So, unless you've got a killer 90 second pitch on who you are as a person down pat, then looks might have to speak for you. A picture really does say a thousand words.

I am dealing with the image battle right now.

First, at work I am helping an artist to define their image. We are meeting with stylists and going through clothing options. The big question for a while was whether this artist should wear a hat or not. Believe it or not, each piece of clothing says a lot about your personality and style. What type of clothes portray good southern values with a high energy and fun loving personality? It's a tough question.

Second, I am dealing with image in my own career. For any of you who have followed my music over the years, it's safe to say that I have some image confusion :) As a gemini, I most definitely have two strong and different personality traits. I love light, happy, cheery things (like CUPCAKES) and at the same time I am drawn to supernatural stories (yes, this includes VAMPIRES), fantasy, birds, and minor chords.  It can be pretty difficult to blend the two together, which explains the inconsistency in my photos throughout the years. However, I feel like I am finally starting to come into my own. It takes time to know who you are. It then takes creativity to express it in the art form of FASHION.

Here are some things to think about when choosing your image and wardrobe:

1. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in.  If your artist outfits make you uncomfortable, or you are always messing with your shirt or skirt trying to keep it in place, it ruins the effect of the outfit. The audience can tell if you aren't confident on stage.

2. Listen to your music. Let your music dictate your clothing. Look at other artists that have similar music styles to yours and study what they are wearing. Don't wear all black, when your music says "acoustic beach."

3. Look at your hair. Decide if you want to change it up. Does it need a boost? Color and hair style can dress up anyone and make them stand out. You have to look like an artist.

4. Make a list of your favorite colors.  Step into your closet and look at the clothes you wear the most. Try to incorporate some of those styles and colors into your more fashionable music clothes.  If you are a big jean wearer, finding a nicer pair of stylish jeans can make a great outfit for performances. Having somewhat of a color scheme with your outfits can help to establish your style.

5. Girls, don't wear shoes you can't walk in. It looks ridiculous when girls wear too high of heels and then they are tripping and awkwardly walking across the stage or the red carpet.

6. Wear clothes you can move in. Enough said...

7. Accessorize.  Any outfit can be spruced up with accessories. This applies to both men and women. Make sure you incorporate jewelry, vests, belts, wristbands, hats, scarfs. Whatever you like to wear. Layers are a great way of sprucing up clothes that are already hanging in your closet. Remember, accessories don't have to be expensive. Styles change too fast to spend a lot of money on them. Places like Claire's, Icing, and Forever 21 have affordable accessories.

8. Don't shop at generic stores.  Boutiques, vintage stores, and thrift stores are great places to find unique clothes. As an artist, your clothing has to make a statement. It is a canvas to express yourself.

9.  Check out this website.  This site is a great place to check out cool clothing options and mix and match them.  Go create! http://www.polyvore.com/

10. Once you've found your style, get some photos.  There are plenty of great photographers that can help you to develop your style even further. One of my favorite local photographers is Mark Boughton http://www.markboughtonphotography.com/

~P.S.

Just a little friendly reminder...

Everything Is Negotiable

I know your mother probably taught you to not argue, and when you did you got put in your room without dessert.  But in the real world arguing is good. In fact, if you don’t argue in some cases, you might end up kicking yourself. My Dad used to tell me that Everything Is Negotiable. I’d watch him bargain all the time. We’d go into a clothing store, he’d make a significant purchase and then ask the cashier, “Now, what are you going to throw in to sweeten the deal?” Sometimes, asking for something and pushing back can feel awkward. We’ve all been in that nerve racking room at the car dealership trying to negotiate a better price for a sweet ride we’ve had our eye on. You wait in that room by yourself for what feels like an eternity while the salesman “meets with his boss and tries to work him down and get you a deal.” However, if you can hang in there and push for what you want, you just might get it.

How does this apply to the music industry? We have to negotiate deals everyday, for sync licenses, mechanical licenses, advances, publishing deals, record deals, concert fees, and so much more.  I recently negotiated an investment deal to make an album which I am currently working on in Canada. By working with the other party, we were able to get a great deal for everyone involved.

There are some easy strategies to remember when going in to negotiate:

1. Never be the first one to speak. The asians have mastered this best. There are instances where they will sit in a room to negotiate and remain in silence for the entire session. Silence is nerve racking. If you are quiet long enough and don’t reveal your wants and terms, your opponent will usually crack under pressure and show their hand first.

2. Define your terms before hand. You must know your absolute bottom limit (the bare essentials you need to make the deal beneficial for you). Then, you ask above that and when you come to a compromise, you are most likely to end up somewhere in the middle or at least make your essential requests.

3. Walk away. Don’t sell yourself short. If the offer is not beneficial to you or is drastically less than you know your services are worth, it’s okay to walk away from a deal. A bad deal doesn’t benefit anyone. Sometimes walking away can make your opponent nervous and start offering you things to make you stay. I’ve used that before when buying a car and when negotiating a music contract. When you act like you could live without it, you’ll see that the other party may not want to live without you.

4. Sleep on it. You must be patient. Don’t rush the deal. Record contracts can take up to 6 months to negotiate. Sometimes a few days to think about things can change a party’s mindset and soften them up.

5. Walk in their shoes. While you are dead set on your desires, you have to understand the other side. The more you know the opposing party, the more able you will be to get what you want by offering something that they really want. 

6. Compromise. Don’t loose sight of the bigger picture. This deal should be beneficial for both parties. Everyone must sacrifice a little to make the deal work.

Good luck in your negotiating endeavors. And remember, arguing can be good.