oh what a week...

Wednesday 29^th July 2009

Artists, Mariamour, Sykes and I went to promote my monthly show L.I.M.E. – Ladies in music and entertainment at Newstyle Radio (huge supporters of our music). We are often invited (or invite ourselves) to go live on air and plug the show. We sing and laugh and joke. It’s so cool.

So... we were on the Wednesday show and the girls arrived before me, because I was busy in the studio trying to get some jingles done for the DJs.

When I arrived they were about to start a competition to give away some tickets. Now I had ‘3’ or ‘4’ in mind as the number of tickets to give away. So when it was suggested we give away 10, I gasped, looked at the guys and smiled an unconvincing smile. The others made a joke of it and I thought, you know what, alright then. Let’s do this! I consoled myself by thinking that if we give the tickets out one at a time, we will potentially have 20 people coming through, 10 of which will buy a ticket...live! Problem was as I was so late and the show was drawing to a close, the 10 singles became 5 pairs to save time and these tickets became entry with food! Oh my gosh! What was I thinking? To top it off, getting caught in the moment, with phones blowing off and excited callers requesting tickets for them, their partners and best friends, let’s just say by the end of the competition, I had given away 6 pairs of tickets and 1 single. My heart was beating at rather an alarming rate and I had to get some air! All I could think was how am I going to cover the cost of the night with so many freebies? The feeling of nausea eventually passed and I figured I would work it out somehow. I composed myself and gave my jingles to the prospective DJs.

The first DJ took his jingles and went about his DJ-ing business. The second DJ listened to my jingle and went a little quiet.

See with his jingle, I had gone a little crazy and at the end, told him to ‘flex his musical pecks’. I thought it was hilarious. He however, did not seem to share my humour! In fact I get the feeling the DJ thought it was anything but funny! He may have thought it was going to make him seem a little vain maybe. A little self absorbed? He actually said that it made him sound like some huge geezer with bulging pecks. Lol, clearly the musical pecks thing was being taken literally. I never meant it this way. I meant it in terms of his tunes are so banging, so heavyweight that they are like pecks! Musical pecks.... Get it? I guess not everyone can take my musical humour huh! Thankfully, by Friday he had come around and I think that with a little tweaking here and there, he will eventually play the jingle. Whether or not he will keep the ‘pecks’ part, we will have to see.

Thursday 30^th July 2009

Last Thursday of every month, L.I.M.E. currently has residency at The O Bar, Broad Street, Birmingham.

I have to say a huge thank you to all who continually help to make the show a success. I am becoming more and more certain of the fact that, no matter how much you want something, or how hard you work, there is nothing more effective and productive then working as a team; working with a group of like-minded people. I have a very clear view of what I want the show to be and to become, and sometimes I cannot see other avenues, other possibilities. That’s when the working family comes in. They can give objective views. Suggest ideas that you may not have thought of or may not have seen the benefit of.

The show was fabulous! Hosted by myself and Sykes as our resident host is off sunning himself in Mozambique. We had songs from:

Coco Brown, Candice Fontaine, Justice, Mendi, NaomiMighty, Mariamour, Sykes and Me.

All of the competition winners showed up and I could see that they were going to be a tough crowd! They came early and looked a little out of place as they sat and waited for the show to begin. By the end of the first track, the audience were chilled, relaxed and comfortable! The atmosphere in the place is one you have to experience yourself! Having enjoyed good food prepared by our in-house cooking genius, the newcomers settled to watch the local talent that Birmingham has hidden ampongst its residents.

They clapped in the right places, cheered us on and made us feel very much appreciated (thank you guys).

At the end of the evening, we networked, danced and hung out for a while before heading off to our separate corners of the city.

If you haven’t been yet you have to come through. It’s a wonderful vibe inside and plus, L.I.M.E. needs your support!

I set up the show to provide a place for us ladies to strut our stuff and if you are in any doubt that Birmingham has talent, I challenge you to come to a show and then say the same thing, thereafter!

The next show is: August 27^th, 7.30 ‘til 11pm.

I have so many things on my plate at the moment. Lots of things are falling in to place but it means there is so much to do. So much to do and so little time. I am very frustrated that I am missing deadlines and so I am going to take a week out next week to gather my thoughts and tie up lose ends. Did I mention this week will be spent in Malta? Yeah, I feel I need some time in the sun away from it all to gain a little perspective. Plus I am shattered! I have to wear so many hats! The daughter, the friend, the girlfriend, the teacher, the promoter, the singer! I need a time out to relax before I fall over!

It is with that thought I leave you in the early hours of Sunday morning.

As much as you want something, as much as you a bursting to get to the finish line! Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself. Especially if you are starting to lag behind, to miss deadlines and hence opportunities. Don’t just up and leave, but tie up what you need to and then... just back away! Just for a moment... regroup and come again.

I shall speak to you once I return next week. Refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go.

Until then people have a good one.

Flutter

Yelitza's diaries: Waiting...

I have to say it has been quite refreshing being able to share my experiences with you guys. While my musical quest continues this month it sees the end of my L.A. stories - for now anyway. And a return to normality, so to speak!

My ‘day job’ for want of a better phrase, is Secondary School teacher – a teacher of English. I love my job! Love working with kids and love helping them to achieve their best in terms of education and becoming young members of society! It’s not a job for the faint-hearted but it is so rewarding! I try to view each day as a new challenge and another chance to get my pupils to understand Shakespeare, Literacy and the like! It’s good stuff!

I have been torn between singing and teaching for a LONG time! Last year I took the plunge, went part-time and put my teaching career on the back burner! I decided to really push my singing and for the past 10 months, I have been doing just that! Problem is things do not move as quickly as you would like – not if you don’t have the right links. And while I know I would be totally out of line to complain about the progress I have made so far, I can’t help but wish I was a little closer to my dreams. Strangely, the reason for this is that if I were a little closer, I would then be able to decide whether or not to continue teaching part-time or to jump back in with both feet and go for promotions!

Decisions, decisions! Trust me my head is constantly umm-ing and aah-ing! To-ing and fro-ing! I am torn between two of the best careers out there and I don’t know what to do!

So I find myself waiting!

All unsigned artists will know how this feels! Waiting for that moment when you are in the right place, at the right time and the magic happens! Waiting for your song to get played on National radio! Waiting for someone to ask for your autograph! Waiting for someone to call you from a huge record company and say ‘We want you’.

Thing is, I’ve experienced these things already – trust me the thrill of hearing your voice on air is indescribable. The tingle when a kid asks for your autograph makes all the waiting well worthwhile! I’ve even had a few nods from record labels. Problem is, nowadays, they don’t want to do any work for you! They want the finished article to walk through their doors and so I find myself waiting on no-one but myself!

I have to make it happen!

This brings me to my tip for this edition of my blog! Attitude! You have to have the right attitude if you are going to make it!

a. Attitude: you never know who is in the audience. You never now who that person is that hitting you up on MySpace. If my trip to the States has taught me anything, it’s that you need to be in the right mode anytime you are out and about. People have started to recognise me while I’m out clubbing or performing at other venues. I endeavour to be polite, humble and grateful. Remember nobody really knows you yet. Those who recognise you can just as easily forget, or worse yet, give you bad press. Likewise when you show up at a gig everything you do is being clocked. The way you respond to requests to do a mic check. The time you turn up to perform. Everything. Having been on both sides of the fence, the performer and the promoter, I can understand why you may not get a call back if you act like a ‘Diva’ before your time! It’s a stressful deal putting on a show. From the week before you are stressing about something or another. Have you checked all artists are coming? Have you done enough promotion? Have you worn this outfit to a previous gig?! The last thing you want when you get there is to have artists complaining that they can’t get their three friends in for free. Or that they can’t find a place to get changed when they showed up an hour late anyway. You don’t want an artist to turn up simply to perform and then leave. Where is the support for everyone else?

Your attitude is like your business card. If you were the artist that showed up in plenty of time. Got themselves sorted and settled. Supported others and did a damn good performance, you will get booked again. If you complained and were awkward, don’t be surprised if other promoters hear about it as well. People do talk to each other about you. They will pull faces at the mention of your name and shake their head like a disapproving mother. Be warned!

A positive attitude will get you a long way! As for this waiting lark! I’m still waiting on little things here and there, but my attitude towards it has changed! If I am the one responsible for my achieving my dreams, than I am only waiting on myself! So for those of you in pursuit of your own dreams and aspirations, I’ll will leave you with this one simple question?

What are you waiting for?

Until next time,

Flutter

P.S. Don’t forget to drop me a comment to check out my web sites:

www.myspace.com/yelitzauk

www.yelitza.co.uk

Stay tuned to for more tips and don’t forget you can see me performing every month @ L.I.M.E in Brum.

Yelitza's Diaries: The long haul home

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!

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.

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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