One of the major perks of becoming an established artist has got to be travelling the world! Not only do you get to meet new people and see new places, but the people there already know about you and want to make sure you are happy and well-looked after!I have only travelled to a couple of countries due to my music but I knew from day one that music was going to be my ticket around the world.
Rumour has it Europe is the best place for music. Places like Germany, Denmark and France are on the ball when it comes to live music. They have great festivals – they embrace new genres and for the unsigned artist, Europe is definitely a place you need to go to. I haven’t quite sorted out a connection there, but it is most definitely on my to-do list! Once I know a little more about it, I will let you know.
This month alone brings a variety of festivals including:o 1 May - 30 June: AUSTRIA Vienna Festival - offers a wide range of arts, especially music
o 12 May - 3 June: CZECH REPUBLIC Prague Spring International Music Festival - one of Europe's best musical events
o 26 -26 June: FRANCE, Festival de Musique de Strasbourg - contemporary music festival
Another place that is really into its music, particularly RnB, is Australia! Can you believe it? Down-under likes to get down to the likes of Bobby V, and Keisha Cole! I’m guessing it may not be that much of a surprise to you guys, but I was impressed. This music lark has shown me that I am a little naïve when it comes to who appreciates what and I have been surprised on a number of occasions.
So as music is a medium that is appreciated the world over it makes sense to be clued up about what type of music is appreciated where. I was totally taken by surprise to find that my music is being enjoyed in The States. I had a few messages through MySpace and thought nothing of it, but once I got over there and heard the feedback, it really was an eye-opener.
‘Happy’ is my most popular track over there and over here to be honest. If you haven’t heard it yet, check out my website: www.yelitza.co.uk and click on music. It has been likened to Jasmine Sullivan ‘Lions, Tigers and Bears’ which is a huge compliment on my part. I haven’t decided which track to officially launch my career with but from that response, I am leaning towards ‘Happy’.
Of course, with any perk there must be a downside though! Of course there is? And what would my blog be without a little anecdote to shine a little personal perspective onto the situation?
After my experience in L.A., I have to say the downside to my escapades abroad, has got to be the long-haul flight!
Now I have to admit, I get extremely nervous when it comes to flying! I never used to. No, this is definitely a trait I have picked up as I got older! As a younger version of myself, I loved the idea of jumping on a plane. The thrill of the take-offs; the bump as we landed on the runway in pastures new.
Nowadays…lol!
Nowadays, I grit my teeth, hold onto the seat with my eyes screwed shut and pray we have a safe take-off and landing. I have ‘foolishly’ watched too many news reports of planes crashing here, there and everywhere. During take-off; while landing; in mid-air! It’s messed me up! It’s freaked me out! And the worst thing is, if plans work out for me in L.A. (which I hope they do!) I shall be travelling back and forth on planes very frequently! Oh joy!
Of course, with any perk there must be a downside though! Of course there is? And what would my blog be without a little anecdote to shine a little personal perspective onto the situation?
After my experience in L.A., I have to say the downside to my escapades abroad, has got to be the long-haul flight!
Now I have to admit, I get extremely nervous when it comes to flying! I never used to. No, this is definitely a trait I have picked up as I got older! As a younger version of myself, I loved the idea of jumping on a plane. The thrill of the take-offs; the bump as we landed on the runway in pastures new.
Nowadays…lol!
Nowadays, I grit my teeth, hold onto the seat with my eyes screwed shut and pray we have a safe take-off and landing. I have ‘foolishly’ watched too many news reports of planes crashing here, there and everywhere. During take-off; while landing; in mid-air! It’s messed me up! It’s freaked me out! And the worst thing is, if plans work out for me in L.A. (which I hope they do!) I shall be travelling back and forth on planes very frequently! Oh joy!
To add to this, having survived take-off there is then the added bonus of 10 hours in a confined space, with the world’s worst travellers! I am an Economy flyer and as I travel on my own a lot, I often end up sat next to Mr. ‘I’m going to take up MY seat AND YOURS!’ Or Ms. ‘I need to get something out of my bag in the overhead compartment for the tenth time – please excuse me!’ Good-grief just put it under the seat! And why do people bring on so much hand luggage anyway? The “bags” are larger than my suitcase for the week! There are weight restrictions for a reason! Plus it baffles me how if you pay an extra fee you can bring on MORE luggage! Isn’t the plane still going to be overweight whether I pay an extra £15 or not? Aren’t we still weighing the thing down? Phew – rant over!
Okay, maybe not just yet. I spend the journey fidgeting and wriggling, cramped up in my seat, desperately trying to sleep. Now normally I can sleep ANYWHERE. In a car, on the bus, standing up! Anywhere! Maybe it was the nerves of meeting new people in America but trust me, on the way out, I could not sleep – not for love nor money! And the on-flight entertainment was whack! I have to say though I don’t mind the plane food and thankfully now I am old enough to enjoy the complimentary alcohol, so I can have a little tipple too.
Okay, maybe not just yet. I spend the journey fidgeting and wriggling, cramped up in my seat, desperately trying to sleep. Now normally I can sleep ANYWHERE. In a car, on the bus, standing up! Anywhere! Maybe it was the nerves of meeting new people in America but trust me, on the way out, I could not sleep – not for love nor money! And the on-flight entertainment was whack! I have to say though I don’t mind the plane food and thankfully now I am old enough to enjoy the complimentary alcohol, so I can have a little tipple too.
Now for the advice part of the blog! If you are going to be plane hopping and travelling to all of these weird and wonderful places, you need to be sure your stage performance is on point. Here then comes tip number 2
Tip 2.
Practice: at home in front of a mirror! Sounds mad cheesy but who’s going to know?Many a time I have watched performers on programmes like X-factor or the like and their voice is fabulous, but they look like they are in pain. I have no advice as to what to do if this is the case with you, other than to try another face. But it is a good idea to think about how you look in front of your audience. This doesn’t mean you have to work out a routine or do certain hand gestures but if there is something strange that you do and don’t realise, it is best to work on it at an early stage! I had an annoying habit of holding one hand up by my side for no apparent reason. Someone pointed it out to me and I got mad paranoid. I’ve worked on it since and while it happens occasionally, it is not as bad. Certainly never was as bad as ‘The Claw’ that appeared on the last season of X-factor.
Hope this was useful. Feel free to drop me a comment (be nice) and don’t forget to check out my web sites: www.myspace.com/yelitzauk & www.yelitza.co.uk
Stay tuned for more little tips and don’t forget you can see me performing every month in Brum.
Speak soon
Flutter xx
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Tip 2.
Practice: at home in front of a mirror! Sounds mad cheesy but who’s going to know?Many a time I have watched performers on programmes like X-factor or the like and their voice is fabulous, but they look like they are in pain. I have no advice as to what to do if this is the case with you, other than to try another face. But it is a good idea to think about how you look in front of your audience. This doesn’t mean you have to work out a routine or do certain hand gestures but if there is something strange that you do and don’t realise, it is best to work on it at an early stage! I had an annoying habit of holding one hand up by my side for no apparent reason. Someone pointed it out to me and I got mad paranoid. I’ve worked on it since and while it happens occasionally, it is not as bad. Certainly never was as bad as ‘The Claw’ that appeared on the last season of X-factor.
Hope this was useful. Feel free to drop me a comment (be nice) and don’t forget to check out my web sites: www.myspace.com/yelitzauk & www.yelitza.co.uk
Stay tuned for more little tips and don’t forget you can see me performing every month in Brum.
Speak soon
Flutter xx
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