Ayanda

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Interview with AYANDA

Published on 3/20/2005

By Artistopia

Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why? I realized I wanted to become a music artist when I started college. Up until then it was just a hobby. Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business? I owe my love of music to my teachers. I was very shy growing up and they kept me involved in music throughout my life. Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why? I was greatly influenced by Aretha Franklin….my father played her double CD best of album every Sunday morning followed by Sam Cook, James Brown, Carmen McCrea and Sarah Vaughn. All of these people ended up being my favorite artists…..go figure. Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition? I believe it’s the fact that I am not afraid to experiment in my music. I try to express all the things that have influenced me in my life. You will find elements of jazz, classical music….hints of the Caribbean…..Hip-Hop and Soul in everything from my choice of songs to my voice or musical arrangements. Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door? I already tried to make music on someone else’s terms and it didn’t work for me. I don’t see anything wrong with allowing other people creative control over your music as long as you are both on the same page. When you try to portray yourself to be something that you are not it may work for the short term but your fans will quickly see through the charade and run to someone whose real. Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals? I have been using the internet for promoting myself and it has been very effective. Regionally though I have found that postcards, flyers and stickers work well to get attention for my shows. It’s pretty easy to get a press release in a newspaper if you are performing in a well known venue. Most of my CD sales are done at my performances at this time but I am looking into internet sales as an option. Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache? No matter how creative a spirit you are, you cannot allow yourself to be unaware of the business aspect of this industry. Who and what you know can make or break your career. If you are knot up to handling business then align yourself with someone who is. Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists? Have a plan and stick to it. It is easy to get distracted…there are many offers that are going to come your way as a talented artist. Every choice you make has to be one that will move one step closer to your goal. It’s okay to pass on an opportunity. Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why? I am currently involved with ONE WORLD BEAT-Global Music Festival. OWB is a music festival where artists across the world perform during the 3rd week in march and donate the proceeds form the concerts to several charities. There is a lot of satisfaction in being apart of something so great….and to know that what you are doing is improving someone life is humbling. In the future I would like to create an inexpensive music and arts program that will teach everything from the performing arts to the more technical aspects of entertainment. Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.



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Music Artists

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Interview with AYANDA