Alexis Spight Cover
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
INSIDE
Contents
2
Summer Series 2015 II
11 NEW MUSIC
6 VOCAL TIPS How to Transform Your Voice from Average to Outstanding
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
MUSIC MARKETING
5
COVER STORY Recording Artist Alexis Spight AIRPLAY 360 Summer Series 2015 II - Vol. 6 No. 4 PUBLISHER Ace Alexander
EDITOR Louise Moore
ASST. TO PUBLISHER Michelle Slater
Copyright Š 2008-2015 Airplay 360 Digital Magazine, an Ace Alexander Company publication. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Readers are free to forward this web magazine to friends and colleagues. DISCLAIMER: The articles and resources in AIRPLAY360 are not intended to be a substitute for professional consultations. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this web magazine, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.
airplay360.com
AIRPLAY 360
FEATURES
8
Summer Series 2015 II
3
4
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
MUSIC MARKETING Essentials for Marketing Your Independent Music BY MATT SCHOENHERR
I
f you look at the way marketing was done as far back as fifteen years ago when CDs were all the rage, a lot has changed. In these times, if independent musicians want to market their music, the following steps are suggested:
Use your contacts; there may be a record deal in there somewhere.
Send your CDs and press kits to radio stations and reviewers (call them first; they may prefer a link to your website or soundbites).
Play live gigs as much as possible.
Develop an email list.
Create a marketing strategy that uses the Internet.
Don't be afraid to ask people to buy your product. If you don't ask, at least in the beginning, you probably won't sell very much. You will need courage and true belief in your music and yourself.
Create a website on which to sell your music and be sure to keep track of your sales.
airplay360.com
Work on your brand, advertise your band, market your songs, and always try to book additional or repeat gigs.
Be repetitious. If you want to create a fan base or win a record deal, you have to stay on track and keep your name out there.
Matt Schoenherr is a marketing consultant, published author, speaker, consumer advocate, coach, Christian, business activist, risk-taker, mistakemaker, adventure race runner, business developer and entrepreneur. He helps churches and community organizations develop successful leadership programs.
AIRPLAY 360
Summer Series 2015 II
5
VOCAL TIPS Transform Your Voice From Average to OUTSTANDING BY KEN TAMPLIN
Y
ou need to be realistic about how you really sound. Unless you have a professionally trained musical ear, it will be actually quite a challenge for you to benchmark your singing and how you sound. An advantage of taking music lessons which is rarely stated is that you develop a keener ear for music. Whether you imagine that you sound like a rock star or an opera tenor, you must find out how your listeners perceive your voice. It requires great effort and expert training to sound like a maestro.
TRACK YOUR GROWTH AS A SINGER 6
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
To gain a clear idea of how much you have improved or whether you've stayed where you were, you should record your voice even your smart phone or computer will do. Whether you have been taking online music lessons or have opted for vocal lessons, you should have made a progress that is audible. Record your singing again after a period of training three to six months later - and judge for yourself how much, if at all, you have improved. Make a note of the
specific area or areas where the improvement is noticeable. Also make a note of which areas need additional effort. A basic requirement for transforming your voice from being average to outstanding is to start practicing every day. Exercising the vocal chords frequently is important in maintaining and bettering your voice. Once you are able to develop a clear, strong voice, it sets the stage for greater vocal range, increased voice projection, strong breath support and improved vocal pitch and tone. Unfortunately, people do develop many bad habits related to singing which could be issues with breathing or pitch. Your teacher should be able to recognize them (if you have any such issues) the first time he or she hears you sing.
DETERMINE YOUR AIMS You need to decide in advance whether you want to be a niche singer specializing in a specific genre or you want to make versatility your strength. Your vocal lessons should be designed accordingly. Your vocal coach will monitor your singing posture as well as breathing technique, not just your tone and pitch. What is going to aid your progress from good to great will be the kind of positivism your teacher infuses into your classes as well as the positively with which you respond to challenges that crop up during and after training. Once you've determined what you want to achieve, no one should be able to stop you. Ken Tamplin is an American Christian rock performer and vocal coach. He is owner of Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy. Known for his vocal range, Tamplin has traveled the world studying from the best vocal coaches. He has also composed music for television and movies.
airplay360.com
“How can you sing of amazing grace and all God’s wonders without using your hands?” Mahalia Jackson first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall
AIRPLAY 360
Summer Series 2015 II
7
Faithful, Fierce & in Charge BY LOUISE MOORE
A
lexis Spight is on the right path to greatness. The young urban contemporary gospel star is beautiful, radiant and confident. It’s been four years since she was runner-up on BET’s talent 8
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
competition show “Sunday Best” but in that time, Alexis has blossomed into a seasoned artist. She has a keen sense of the “artistry of music”, a faithfulness to God and her fans and enough wisdom at her young age to have taken charge of her larger than life music career with all the right
Alexis Spight on CBS WWL-TV during NBA All-Star weekend; performing on Sunday Best; interviewed on BET’s 106 & Park.
people surrounding her. With one #1 album, “L.O.L.” to her credit, Alexis is set to release her sophomore project “Dear Diary” August 28 on Uncle G Records. Recently, AiRPLAY 360 caught up with Alexis while she was in Hawaii promoting her upcoming album. .
So you’re in Hawaii right now. Tell us what brings you to Hawaii. ALEXIS: I’m actually in Hawaii to kick off my promotional tour for my new album “Dear Diary” that comes out August 28. And it’s been absolutely amazing from beginning to end. I actually brought my great-grandmother, my grandmother and my mother here. So there’s four generations of us here and I’m loving just celebrating with them, just kicking off the tour for ‘Dear Diary” and singing new music. Everything has just been amazing and I’m enjoying it. It’s just been a great way to start out a new tour.
Your first single “All the Glory” from your new album is near the top of the Billboard Gospel charts and is your highest charting single to date. ALEXIS: God has really given me so much favor. I know it’s not my vocal ability or my talent or just that people love Alexis Spight but it’s God’s favor over my life. For my song to be near the top of the charts, I’m just humbled, I’m overwhelmed and I’m thankful to God for his favor over my life.
How do you feel you’ve grown since Sunday Best? ALEXIS: I’ve grown in every aspect of my life, not just musically but spiritually. When I was on Sunday Best and even shortly thereafter, I wasn’t an artist. I didn’t know what it meant to be an artist. I didn’t know the artistry of music. I was just a singer. And airplay360.com
that’s something that Pastor Donnie McClurkin told me on the show. He told me I needed to learn the art of singing. And I’ve definitely learned that now. I’ve learned different breathing techniques, tenacity, and what it means to have endurance while on the road, vocal care and stage presence. I’ve grown in my writing abilities—just overall.
With your fashion sense and red hair, I’ve got to ask: where did you get your style? ALEXIS: I think it kind of just evolved over time. I’ve always been different, kind of an outcast. I was always so out-of-the-box and I was just so free spirited and I was comfortable in that. Before the show, I was just playing with color. I wasn’t trying anything in particular to stand out. I told my hairstylist, I wanted to try something different so she said, “Let’s try red.” So we tried red and after the show it just kind of stuck. I want every time somebody sees me with this red hair— this eclectic style—to know they can love God as different as they want to be. They don’t have to fit into a box of traditionalist mentality that says they have to look a certain way to be saved. I’m just grateful that God created me strategically and purposely to reach those souls that are as different as me and let them know that they even have a place in the body of Christ.
Tell us what you have coming up. ALEXIS: Pretty soon I’ll be at Megafest with Bishop T.D Jakes where I’m spearheading the youth department. I’m touring in Brazil in September and I’m going to learn pieces of “All the Glory” in Portuguese. God is amazing and he never ceases to blow my mind. Connect with Alexis on Twitter @lyrically_lexi. AIRPLAY 360
Summer Series 2015 II
9
new
MUSIC RELEASES Myra Graham Quince You Made Me New August 4 Drew Allen Label
Geoffrey Golden Kingdom...LIVE! August 7 Fo Yo Soul/RCA
Bridgett Kern No One Greater August 7 Dream Records
Shawanda Smith You August 11 Tate Music Group
Gerald & Tammi Haddon #US August 28 Pembroke Records
William Richardson Love Light Shine August 4 RLW Productions
Aaron Ray Identity August 25 Live Out Loud Records
Alexis Spight Dear Diary August 28 eOne Music/Uncle G Records
airplay360.com
AIRPLAY 360
Summer Series 2015 II
11
ADVERTISE 12
advertising@airplay360.com
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
INTERNATIONAL Integrity Europe Signs First African-Caribbean Music Artist
New Music Friday Release Day Goes Global
It's the first time a British-born person of African-Caribbean descent has been offered an artist deal by Integrity Music: "This feels like a door-opener to a new generation," says Noel. "Integrity's a good place to be for someone like me who feels called to cross cultures." Singles and albums will be released on Fridays from now on, harmonizing when fans around the world can purchase new music. In a borderless business that has grown increasingly digital as artists promote their music on social media platforms, singers, record labels and retailers are aligning distribution, with July 10 marking "New Music Fridays." Music release days have varied across countries Mondays in Britain and France, Tuesdays in North America, Wednesdays in Japan and Fridays in Australia, Germany and Ireland, according to music trade body British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Now singles and albums will come out on Fridays in more than 45 countries. With over 25 years of working in the worship fraternity and 4 solo albums to his credit, Noel is an already established presence in the UK Church and beyond. An international worship leader, Noel has traveled the world working with the likes of Graham Kendrick, Ron Kenoly, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Hillsong London, The London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) and Israel Houghton, to name a few. Source: UK Gospel airplay360.com
"Fans don't understand why they have to wait to legally access music that has already been released in other countries," BPI and BRIT Awards Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said in a statement. "It makes sense to consider the time of the week when interest in entertainment, digital activity and physical footfall is building towards its peak." The move is also aimed at fighting music piracy. Charts will also likely change to take in a full week's sales and streaming with Britain moving to Friday from Sunday. Source: Reuters
AIRPLAY 360
Summer Series 2015 II
13
on iTunes
15
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360
16
Summer Series 2015 II AIRPLAY 360