Sandra Bouza
I discovered Sandra by watching a video, “Sandra Bouza Close Up - The Making of Her Album 'A Sound in the Dark'.” This is documentary of making the album, so besides being able to hear Sandra sing I was able to get to know her and the thought process that went into each song. Sandra has a Soulful voice, with a little bit of Rock in it. Sandra’s voice has such a beautiful tone to it, she has the ability to make the lyrics just flow when she sings. The first song off this album is “A Sound In The Dark” I really love the way Sandra starts the song off with just her vocals & a guitar. This really set the tone of the song, which is a soulful vibe. Sandra also does a more Rockin rendition of Gordon Lightfoot’ song “Sundown” I usually don’t care for covers, but Sandra does an excellent job on this by putting her own Soulful touch to it. Another song off of this album is “The City” this song is so beautifully written that it paints the perfect image for you of The City. Sandra is one of those singers that I cannot find anyone to compare too, Which in my book is a big plus. When I listen to Sandra sing, I can ‘t help but get chills & a warm feeling in my soul. The way that she sings is so effortless & pure. I am looking forward to seeing what Sandra puts out on her next album. I definitely recommend everyone to check out Sandra Bouza. Sandra’s music should be in everyone’s collection. I was able to ask Sandra some questions, her answers are below. I also included a couple links to her music. https://www.sandrabouza.com/the-city https://www.youtube.com/@SandraBouza 1. How long have you been playing music? I have been singing since I was very very young! I wrote my first song in grade 5 and played my first paid gig at 10 or 11 I believe. 2. How many bands have you been in? Ahhhh wow, I kind of lost track, I mean quite a few since I started playing music, and I’ve been in bands in Scotland, Vancouver, Toronto, Guelph, lots of cover and tribute gigs to pay the bills, I’d say it’s gotta be in the dozens at least, probably more! 3. Where were you born? I was born in Toronto, Ontario but split my youth between Canada and Spain 4. Are you self-taught? Yes, I am self-taught on guitar and started singing young, but I started taking voice lessons around 30 years old to start singing healthily. 5. Who are your biggest influences? My influences are pretty far and wide, but my earliest influences that probably had the biggest impact if I am to narrow down are probably Neil Young and Ella Fitzgerald. 6. What style of music do you consider yours? That’s hard to categorize! I have so many influences, but lately I have been landing on “Rootsy Soul.” 7. What was your first gig? How old were you? I was 10 or 11 and it was at a Ballroom in Toronto called “La Contessa”. The owner heard my sister, and I sang for a family friend’s event and hired us for his ballroom. 8. What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? Invest in yourself! I only started seeing results when I started investing in professionals who could take me to the next level. Also trust your instincts, only collaborate with people who value you and treat you well, people that you feel safe with emotionally and physically, this is especially true for women. 9. Do you write your own songs? Yes I do, but I also love singing covers and I love collaborating! 10. What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal record collection? Anybody that really knows me wouldn’t be surprised by anything! But if I had to pick, maybe “Elephunk” by the Black-Eyed Peas. 11. What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? Probably something with dogs! 12. Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? Anything by Etta James, or Sunny by Bobby Hebb. 13. If you were strictly a songwriter, who would you like to see sing your songs? Maybe Melody Gardot or Joss Stone.
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Alexis Mclaughlin
I discovered Alexis on YouTube, I believe the first song I heard Alexis sing was “Inner City Blues”. I was so captive of her voice. Her tone is kind of in the low range, which for me is so beautiful. Let’s talk about Alexis control, she can be singing in a soothing low key and then bring it up notch or two with such ease. Alexis hails from Texas, which means she has a thick accent. Along with her lower tone vocals make a good combination for Country Music. Kind reminds me of such greats as Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker, Plus Alexis has a talent for writing some amazing songs. One of my favorites “To This Guitar” This song is so beautifully written that you get such a vivid picture. Alexis is one of the many female Country singer that brought me back to Country music, cause she has that pure & beautiful vocals that is needed for good old Country music. Alexis is a Music Teacher in her hometown, all I can say that is those kids are lucky to be taught by Alexis. I believe that Alexis can go far in the Country Music Scene. I have some links to where you can find Alexis music. Plus, I was able to ask he some questions, her answers are below. I highly recommend you check out Alexis Mclaughlin if you are a fan older Country Music. https://www.facebook.com/Alexismclaughlinofficial https://www.alexismclaughlinmusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@alexismclaughlin6177 I have been singing since about 5 in a little church in Dayton, TX with my granny. I started playing guitar when I was 10 right after my parents had gone through a divorce. I was experiencing feelings and emotions I’d never felt before and didn’t know how to process them, so guitar truly saved my life. I started writing my own songs and expressing my heart and I’ve just never really stopped. My guitar has been a true companion to me all these years, hence the song “to this guitar”. It’s a letter to the instrument that came into my life and swooped me off of my feet. 2.How many bands have you been in? I’ve actually never been in a band. I’ve had guys play with me off and on but for the most part, I’ve been a lone traveler in the world of music. But I’m grateful to have Frankie Grocholski rocking with me on electric. He is one of the nicest, most down to earth humans I’ve ever met, and he just so happens to be KILLER at guitar. So, a double win! 3. Where were you born? I was born in Houston, TX in ‘96. But I’ve lived in so many parts of Texas due to my parents jobs when I was younger. I never truly stayed in a school for more than a year. I’ve been everywhere from Houston to Temple, Waco to College station and everywhere in between. 4. Are you self-taught? I started out taking lessons in Kingwood, TX at a local Baptist church. I took lessons from Frank DeBretti who is a profound guitar player with multiple gold and platinum record achievements. From there, I was instructed by Dan Smith at the Conroe Music Center. He brought such a gentle approach to the instrument and truly pushed me to not only play but explore singing and playing. We performed Justin Bieber’s “Baby” at my yearly recital, and it was EPIC. And yes, he did the rap part. In high school, I continued my musical studies under the instruction of Ken Labonski who is now the Music Department Chairman for Willis ISD. This man inspired me to my very core. Every day I was amazed at how much he believed in all of us, and it brought kiddos of all backgrounds and upbringings together in a magical way. He was the very definition of music. To this day I still look to him for advice, expertise and encouragement regarding my music career. 5. Who are your biggest influences? Some of my greatest influences are truly the men who have taught me. They each gifted me with a piece of their art, and I was able to puzzle them together into my own style. Vocally I am often compared to Kelly Clarkson, Adele, Patsy Cline and occasionally Stevie Knicks. These women are true inspirations to me as well. Recently I’ve grown fond of songwriters like Lori McKenna, Patty Griffin and Holly Williams. There are so many more, but these are the few closest to my heart at the moment. 6. What style of music do you consider yours? Style. This is a hard question for me. Naturally I am labeled “country” because I have a thick accent and live in Texas. But, I truly have a passion for multiple genres, and I tend to sing multiple styles. I love 80’s rock with all of my heart and if I could, I’d be a Joan Jett remake. But, I have decided that my style is poetry. I just write from my heart and sing it the way it comes out and let people label it from there. 7. What was your first gig? How old were you? My first gig was in college at an open mic night that Kinda turned into me ending up playing with a band by the end of the night. It was at The Corner Pub in Conroe, and I went to check out the local talent and maybe play a couple. It was such a fun night with such fabulous talent, and we ended up just playing probably longer than we were supposed to, but it was unexpected and fun. 8. What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? My advice would be to go to open mic nights and make some good connections. You can be great at something all day long, but without connections it’s almost useless. This goes for pretty much any business. Get out there, shake some hands, buy some drinks and get to know the people who you want to play for and the people who will end up being your supporters. Connection is what we’re all seeking. 9. Do you write your own songs? I do write my own songs. I’ve been writing since I was 10 and have experienced a great deal of life and therefore just have good stories to tell. But I’ve really grown as a lyricist in recent years and have taken it to heart to study the greats and learn from them. As cliché as it may sound, I’m truly into Taylor Swift and the “Folklore ERA” right now. Her word choices are exceptional, and I just love how a simple choice of words can send listeners questioning the existence of man. It’s a secretive type of magic that I’m studying in a detail-oriented way. 10. What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal record collection? I’m a really big fan of the rock band Hinder. Some people are surprised by that just given my personality. But growing up, my parents were young when I was born and my dad really like rock like Papa Roach, Linkin Park and Seether. So naturally, I started enjoying those bands and the stories they told. I admired that though they were different than what I would normally choose to play for myself, they’re still so artistically done and admirable. 11. What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? If I wasn’t a musician I’d likely be doing many things. I am a jack of all trades. I have never been the type of woman to be content in one pair of shoes. I love to bake, I raise chickens and pigs, I’m a teacher, I have a degree in business… the list goes on. I’ve always wanted to open a boutique with a coffee shop attached and have live music every weekend, so maybe that’s what I’d be doing. After all, I am an avid shopper and coffee drinker so I’m sure I’d be fabulous at it. 12. Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? My favorite song to perform is probably Billy Jean by Michael Jackson but the Christopher Cornell version. This song is so overlooked but the lyrics are truly seat gripping! I love telling reimagined stories and I feel this is a great example. 13. If you were strictly a songwriter, who would you like to see sing your songs? If I were only a songwriter, I’d love Chris Stapleton to sing some of my songs. Though he clearly does a better job. Kayla Von der Heide This blog is about a dear friend Kayla Von der Heide. I first saw Kayla when she did a video for The VHS Gems in the rough, not sure of the year but the song she sang was “The Highway Song”. I was blown away by her vocal style, I have to say that I have never heard anyone like this before. Kyla’s tone and the amazing vibrato in her voice and the way she can takes notes and just makes the flow together is simply breathtaking. If you have read any of my other Blogs you know that most of the time try to compare vocals of the artist I am writing about with another artist I know. This time I was unsuccessful. For me there just isn’t anyone like Kayla. One of the other unique thing about Kayla is that both in her songwriting & singing you can hear that she always puts a little bit of herself in each song. For me Kayla’s music really touches the soul more than any other artist I know. I feel that it’s because she has Old Soul and gets most of her inspiration from the desert that she frequently visits and from that fact that she is lover of the Earth. I think one of her songs that really shows this is “In My Dreams” it has such a Latin style rhythm to it and your vocals are so haunting, which gives this song such a beautiful vibe. Another song off the same album is “No Time For The Taken” this song has sort of a Bluesy/Rock feel to it. But it’s Kayla’s vocals that really gives the song the energy you feel when listening to it. I can honestly say that with both albums that I have of Kayla’s I can sit and listen to them all the way through. Listening to Kayla’s music always puts me in a relaxing mood and takes me to places I may never get to. Kayla is one of those artist you can tell your friends about, but until they hear her and get the same feeling from her music they will not understand the gift that Kayla has which makes her a very unique artist. On a side note, Kayla is also an awesome photographer, I have put some links down below for you to see/hear for yourself. Plus, I was honored to have gotten to send Kayla some questions. Here are her answers. https://www.youtube.com/@kaylavonderheide6985 https://mojaveghost.bandcamp.com/ 1.How long have you been playing music? I have been playing music (or attempting to) ever since I can remember. It started with my grandmas piano at her house. I would sit there for hours and zone out and try to make up songs and melodies. I'm sure that was very annoying at the time and age that I was, but it was what showed my grandmother that I was interested. I started playing guitar at the age of 17. 2.How many bands have you been in? The first band I tried to start with was when I got out of high school, called Kayla and The Ghostmen. Then it evolved into The Ghostmen. It was my desert rock era! 3.Where were you born? I was born in Fullerton, CA I believe? I always forget and have to ask my mom. Haha! 4.Are you self-taught? I was taught the basics of the guitar by my guitar teacher, Ms. Sandy. She was the one that actually introduced me to folk music and the first song I learned was "Tom Dooley" on the guitar. I took lessons for about a year and then everything else was self-taught from there. 5.Who are your biggest influences? To be honest, my influences are the people in my world that have shown me strength. Musically it’s so hard for me to answer that- can I say my Grandma? 6.What style of music do you consider yours? My style of music is very influenced by Americana/folk if you had to put it in a category, but I like to think it's just me and my feelings and I usually let people categorize it on their own. 7.What was your first gig? How old were you? My first gig was at a coffee shop called The Grind in Victorville, CA. I was like 17 I think, and it was packed out with local friends and family, and I was so nervous. I think there’s a clip somewhere in the archives of YouTube along with many other embarrassing but cute memories from those early times as I was discovering my style and what I wanted to play. 8.What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? The advice I’d give someone that is starting out in music would be to keep centering yourself and to keep remembering the true reason why you love to do it. There will be many people around you that will bring in all sorts of perspectives and energies and advice along the way, but the real reason to do it is because it brings you joy, and if you let the joy of it be the motivation and reason you continue to do it, you will always be successful. If the perks of a bigger audience come with it along the way, then that just makes it more fun! The point is, it should be fun, and it should be your own expression. We have too many people in the world trying to just create what sells, and I think we need more of what comes from the heart. 9.Do you write your own songs? Yes I write my own songs. To be honest I’m actually quite shy in person, so I like to joke around and think of my songs and my singing as my true voice and the way I communicate. You will always know how I’m feeling if you feel like checking out my songs. 10.What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal record collection? I do think people would be surprised about what I have in my personal collection. I had a huge hip hop phase in high school and my dad was always listening to Biggie Smalls or things like that. Madonna was one of my favorites as a kid and reminds me of my mom. Then you can find some Neil Young, Carter Family, Blaze Foley, Britney Spears. Why not love it all?! Haha. 11.What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? If I wasn't playing music, I’d probably be continuing to pursue my photography business and might even branch out into videography. 12.Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? One of my favorite covers I perform is "If I could Only Fly" by Blaze Foley. The first time I heard it I cried. At the time I heard it I wasn't in the best place and felt tied down to where I was and that wasn't making me happy. The idea of an addiction or troubles holding you down and holding you back from your happiness really hit me. The freedom of just wishing you could fly away from it all and be happy always touched me. The complex simplicity of Blaze's song writing always hit me in my core 13.If you were strictly a songwriter, who would you like to see sing your songs? If I were strictly a song writer, I'd probably strive to find people that I believed could portray my songs in an authentic way. No one specifically comes to mind, but I would be picky about who I gave my songs to. |
AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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