Wellington Bullings

Photo by Ali Vagnini @alisonvagnini

Interview by David R. Navarro

DN: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

WB: My name is Wellington Bullings and I’m a soul/jazz singer, songstress, and model based in Boulder Colorado.

DN: How long have you been in the music industry?

WB: I’ve been in the music industry for about ten years now.

DN: What made you decide to be serious about the music industry?

WB: I’ve always been passionate about music, but I started taking my craft seriously in high school. When my friends and family found out that I could sing, they would ask me to perform at special events and birthday parties. It was then that I realized that the very thing I loved to do made other people happy too. That’s when I decided I wanted to do that for the rest of my life.

Photo by Meg MacDonald @missmeg_mac

DN: Can you give us some examples of things you are doing or have done to expand your fanbase?

WB: I try to stay engaged with my current fans as much as possible—by putting out more material and keeping them updated on my social media platforms. It’s easy to get caught up in the “numbers game” when it comes to building a fanbase. By engaging with my current fans, I’m able to reach more people in an authentic way. I don’t underestimate the value of having one fan. One fan can turn into a hundred—because people like to share their interests with other people—and that is how a fanbase grows over time.

DN: Tell us about the release of your new album, “Because I Want To”.

WB: “Because I Want To” is a collection of songs that I wrote over the course of about three years. The underlying theme of the album is about living unapologetically and claiming your power. There are songs about heartache, soul searching, love, and self empowerment. This project was released in July, 2020.

DN: Which people or books have had the most influence on your musical growth and why?

WB: My music is inspired by many different forms of art. I discovered my love for music through writing poetry. One of my favorite poets of all time is Maya Angelou. The book “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is one of my all time favorite books, because of the level of vulnerability in it. Her poems inspire me to express myself with the same amount of unapologetic self-assuredness that she embodied in her writing.

Photo by Ali Vagnini @alisonvagnini

DN: What would you say is the #1 key to success in the music industry?

WB: The key to success is to love what you do, and to pour yourself into it everyday. Maya Angelou once said “success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and how you do it.” I think it’s as simple as that.

DN: Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?

WB: I used to be so afraid of putting myself out there. I’ve always been very critical of my work and such a perfectionist. I don’t have any regrets, but sometimes I wish I would’ve just taken a leap sooner and trusted my ideas a little more. Because of those years of doubt, I now completely own my sound and my vision. I’m not afraid of putting myself out there anymore.

DN: What advice can you give other young women who want to follow in your footsteps?

WB: I would say, don’t follow in anyone’s footsteps. Pave your own path and trust yourself all the way. Give yourself permission to fail and make mistakes, and don’t lose sight of the full picture of what it is that you truly want.

Photo by Meg MacDonald @missmeg_mac

DN: What does a typical day in your week look like?

WB: My weekly routine consists of me waking up around 8:30am (I’m not a morning person), meditating, writing music and practicing, drinking one cup of coffee with coconut milk during the day, and teaching around noon into the evening— then taking a long bubble bath.

DN: What keeps you going when things get tough in the business?

WB: The one thing that keeps me going during tough times is creating art. I think most of us underestimate how vital art is to our mental and emotional health. When I’m creating something beautiful, I’m fully present and all of my worries are silenced.

DN: Do you have a website or social media?

WB: Yes, my website is: wellingtonbullings.com

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellingtonbullings/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wellington-Bullings-169654233098842