So you wanna be a Rock/Country/Rap/Pop Star huh?
Singers…performers…musicians.
We make it look easy.
American Idol and The Voice make things look soooo easy.
(No, I don’t watch those shows. That’s another blog in itself.)
Sure. It is easy. If you want to be mediocre.
If you want to be good, it’s a little harder. If you want to be great, it’s a lot of freaking work.
Some days good, some days not so good.
I’m back at the day job 4-5 days a week so that’s a juggling act.
Some things fall off the table cause there are only so many hours in a day.
Songwriting, even though I’m always percolating things (it’s something that never turns off), and I go a little crazy when I don’t write, and I haven’t picked up my guitar in weeks, my priorities right now are prepping for this upcoming show.
Most would think it’s not a big deal…just another show, but I take pretty much everything extremely seriously.
I want my shows to be the best they can be; not just my own performance, but hiring the right band, putting together the best set list I can, and the prep work that goes along with that.
Sure it would be awesome if everyone would be my fan and love me forever by the time the performance was over.
At the very least, I hope that I will leave them with some kind of impression of who Robin Brock is and what her music is all about.
So I’m going to be as prepared as I can.
These are my priorities:
Vocals: My regimen consists of 5-6 days a week: 10 minute body stretch with neck and jaw massage, 15 minute warm up, 15 minute or so isolation exercises for building technique and stamina so I won’t tire or strain. This set is longer than I’m used to – 90 minutes. Then I either get on the rebounder or treadmill and sing my set, or just sing my set and focus on technique: breathing, placement, support. Or rehearsals with the band.
Yesterday I had a sucky day. It happens. I don’t like it. But it happens. My vocal coaches are finally drumming that into my head…(man I’m so glad I got over myself to get some help and guidance).
I was halfway through my set, thinking: I suck today. My placement sucks, my throat and body are tight…and I sound like crap.
I just wanted to sit down and cry.
Instead, I took a breath, did some funky little relaxation exercises and focused on my technique.
That’s what rehearsal is about.
Set list: Sure, I could just throw shit together, but I’d rather do a killer set list. That involves placing the songs in strategic order, working on endings to songs and working on my chat between songs -I’d love to be able to just ad lib that, but you should at least have something rehearsed in case nerves take over once you get on the stage. The songs are strategically placed for interest to the audience; most of the people don’t know who I am, so I’m throwing in a few covers to mix things up.
Stage wear: Leather of course…and sparkly stuff.
When I was a young girl, I had this picture-disk (remember those?) that had an interview with Gene Simmons. Something he said in particular stuck with me.
Treat the stage like a sacred place.
Stage wear has to be different than everyday wear. You gotta look the part. Not like something that just rolled out of a ditch…I often think singers don’t do themselves justice by wearing their everyday clothes on stage. You need to stand out.
Well…I want to anyway. So I usually enlist my Mom to help me customize something that’s gonna look awesome and yet at the same time be comfortable, allow ease of movement and shine when the lights hit. Not too big of a bill, huh… and comfortable shoes. I see singers with these high heels (not just Kiss) and wonder how they don’t fall off them or break an ankle.
Sure I’d look taller, but I’d rather not fall on my ass.
Oh, and not to mention the hair, makeup and accessories.
It’s all about treating the stage like a sacred place.
So I do.
I dress the part, I act the part no matter what the stage, with reverence and humbling respect, because it’s an honor to be up there.
It’s not a right- it’s a privilege to be on a platform where you can showcase your music; your blood sweat and tears and emote it to an audience.
Rehearsals: One of the drawbacks of living where I live, is the 3 hour drive after work, for rehearsals.
The positive thing is, the guys I’m working with are seasoned performers. I don’t have to worry about whether they’re going to do their job, which is half the battle. I’ve worked with a lot of bands over the years, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to gel and mesh with most…it’s a challenge sometimes. Sometimes people aren’t exactly team players.
Even though I’m the front person, my band members are part of my team, cause that’s what it’s really about, right? It’s also the amazing chemistry that happens between like-minded people. It’s an honor and privilege to work with people who’ve also put in tons of practice and performance hours honing their craft.
I often see solo artists on stage with their band way behind them, almost as an afterthought.
If it wasn’t for the band, I’d look awfully silly up there by myself holding my microphone.
Oh, and did I mention the promotional aspect: media, social networking- keeping my 7300+ twitter followers and my 17,000+ facebook followers entertained and engaged with updates, and there’s also the word of mouth promo…
Yes, this is hard. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. This is challenging me to see what I’m made of. And don’t worry, I’m getting exercise in there and I’m also getting some massage, acupuncture and some meditation.
There has to be balance. I’m not quite there, and I need to remind myself of it. I do get adequate sleep and keep my nutrition dialed with vitamins and adaptagens to keep my immunity up. Lots of water, throat coat tea (instead of coffee) cool downs, and some homeopathics for the recovery of my voice after rehearsals and to help deal with the nerves.
It’s a little more intense because it’s been a while since I did a big show like this, and I want to do it right. But you know what, at the end of the day, I’m still damn lucky.
I’m doing this because I love it.
Yeah, it’s not always smooth sailing, and sure, it’s a lot of work, but I do it to become a better singer and performer.
I don’t want to be mediocre.
I don’t want to be just good.
I want to be better than great.
Am I there now?
No…but it won’t stop me from striving to be.
I just have to remember to enjoy it along the way.
