Artist Blooming

I was at The Matrix last night again for another listening session and - wow- what amazing songs we listened to! This whole process of picking songs for my cd has been fun and really enlightening to the different genres of music out there.

Now I just need to spend some time with the songs and really narrow down my top selections. This session went really well. Not only was I able to listen and take in some amazing tunes, but I was able to spend that time with some amazingly talented guys that I can call my mentors and friends.

I am blessed that God gave me a talent to share and am excited that I get to walk through this journey with some incredibly gifted artists and musicians. Hope you all continue to walk alongside me.

I find it so much easier to experiment vocally when I am alone. With no one listening, I have no inhibitions and am free to do things I normally would not dare to try. It is an experience I am embracing, allowing myself to get out of my comfort zone. In the end it will give me the confidence I need to branch out and take some risks.

Last night I had a music session with Nichole and I feel it went well.

We looked at some of her original songs to consider a few good options for my cd. I had forgotten about one song and then revisited it and Nic came up with some cool parts to add. I think it is a winner and definitely on my list of potential songs. Every time I get together to do music with her I an reminded at how amazingly talented she is. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, drummer and best of all - someone I call friend. I am just blessed to have her in my life.

So after talking to my producer and friend Teo, he challenged me to find my inner self by getting in touch with my emotions and being able to express that through my singing and emote through song what message I am trying to convey to my audience.

I started doing sessions with Amanda, a fellow artist/singer, and she has been nothing less than patient, encouraging, helpful, and supportive of my journey. Our first session, which was a month ago, we met and took a well known worship tune and picked it apart. First, we sang it just like we would normally. Then she challenged me to dig deeper and feel the music sing what I heard inside. At first it was weird and I couldn’t really understand what she was asking for - she was giving me examples of ways to change the melody or a note here or there and make it more of my own.

Coming from a trained vocal background and many years of voice lessons, I have to get away from the performance mindset and allow myself to experiment and not be inhibited by not being perfect. I need to be willing to take risks vocally and try something new and if it doesn’t work - I need to be OK with that.

Our second session was much better. I felt more comfortable with stretching myself and getting out of my comfort zone. It helped that we worked on a song I was not really familiar with yet. I had only listened to it a few times and didn’t allow myself to learn it fully for fear of falling into the pattern of having to sing it exactly like the artist did and was able to make it more of my own and put my own spin on it.

I learned that just because I add a note here, or change phrasing or parts of the song, it is bringing a piece of me into it and not just doing a copycat performance of the same song. I am learning to be more comfortable with myself and my abilty to allow my emotion to come out through a song. It is a work in progress but I am thankful for Amanda and her willingess to step into my journey with me and help me grow and emerge as an artist and not just a singer.

So many of you are wondering why I decided to start blogging. Those of you who know me, know that I am, let’s say, “technically challenged” when it comes to most things. :) 

I really felt lead to start a blog to invite my friends and family along on a journey with me. What is this journey you may ask? I have embarked on a CD project and wanted to invite you to come along side me in the process to provide support and encouragement and let you walk with me every step of the way.

I have been feeling God calling me to this for a long time. I always knew that He was calling me to do more with my talents then just sing at church (not that there is anything wrong with that). I just knew He had more in store for me. I was never really feeling like doing a CD was for me…. I always had an excuse why I couldn’t pursue a musical career, i.e.: I don’t play an instrument, or I don’t write my own music, or I would compare myself to other artists out there and say to myself, “I don’t sound like them.” I just couldn’t hear myself on mainstream radio.

I always kind of dabbled in the pursuit of music. I studied voice in college, entered Christian singing contests, and even pursued a record label. But once it came time to get serious and put money behind it or talk of touring, I always shied away, all the while still singing at church and other various functions.

It was only about a year ago when I finally felt ready or open to doing a CD project. I wanted to do it for myself, and not because someone else told me I should. I finally took the leap and am glad to say I have started the process.

When it came down to logistics and actually getting the ball rolling with this whole thing, God was totally behind it (not that I didn’t think he wouldn’t be) but just some cool things happened and it could have only been God.

God brought persons into my life that really influenced me and my music and helped me grow not only as a person in Christ, but encouraged me in my pursuit of my dreams to do something bigger with my voice and talent God gifted me with.

I am thankful for God placing these folks in my life and am excited about this whole process. I hope you will walk along side me as I embark on this exciting journey!

Monday night we got together at “The Matrix” to listen to songs that could be on the potential CD. A lot of great ideas and songs were suggested. Who knew there were so many amazing songs to choose from? :) Kind of overwhelming when you think about it.

This whole song selection process is going to help me to figure out what type of artist I will become and mold me into that person. I know that throughout this whole journey, God has been and will continue to be, the center of my life and in control of this project.

I am excited to continue on this journey and see where it leads….

This blog, this journey, is about my being able to see myself not only as a singer, but as an artist.

Thanks for coming along with me for the ride, and please check out my guestbook!

Kristen