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Jessica Meuse Talks about Life after American Idol: Artist Spotlight

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Photo Courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Jessica Meuse

It can be difficult to build up clout as an independent artist, but it sure does help when you’ve got your own hashtag and a squad of fans dropping it on the daily. Ever since Jessica Meuse made it to the Top4 Spot on American Idol’s 13th season, her faithful fan base, #MuseMafia, have been tirelessly repping for the country-singer. If you’re like me, that’s probably where you first heard this soulful singer with that infectious southern twang.

I’ll either be a broke musician or a successful one.

I just want to make my music.

Since her time on Idol, Miss Meuse has signed with Warrior Records, released a music video for “Love Her Better,” and taken up a tour across the country. Despite her hectic performance schedule, the Idol finalist spared some time to talk with youbloom about her roots as a country singer and what new stuff she has been cooking up.

Jessica Meuse on Touring

Talking Points: Living on the road, Playing the Maltese Islands, and getting pampered on American Idol.

On her Roots

Talking Points: Stage-side meltdowns…they happen, and Bringing your real self into your music despite the haters.

The Writing Process

Talking Points: Finding inspiration for music in daily life

Jessica Meuse – “Love Her Better” Official Music Video Recorded on The Maltese.

Best Show Ever Played & Youbloom

Talking Points: Playing the Viper Room in LA, Shout out to the Muse Mafia, youbloom, and the Unfortunate lack of Irish pubs in Texas.

Going Forward and Giving Advice

Talking Points: 2018 Album release, Recording at Capitol Records, and what a Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks’ baby would sound like (Spoiler, it’s Jess).

 

You can keep track of what Jessica Meuse is up to by following her on twitter @JessMeuse, instagram, or her official website. There’s a possibility she will be back playing with youbloomDublin or youbloomLA Music Festival & Summit and same for you. For any bands or artists interested in expanding their musical family, meeting and learning from industry leaders, and playing some of the hottest venues in Dublin, make sure to Apply to Play for youbloomDublin. Hurry, the application deadline is February 19th, 2018! And keep an eye out for Jessica’s debut album that is to be released in 2018 or join the #MuseMafia. You know you want to.

 

Robert Loustaunau is a content writer for youbloom and is a member of the social media team there. He is an avid music maker and listener. He enjoys the simple things in life: coffee, a good book, and quality time with his lovely girlfriend.

Why Live Music Changes Lives

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Picture this..

It’s a beautiful, sunny day in your local city – except you are unaware of this as you stand, shoulder to shoulder with strangers from all degrees of life. Packed like farm animals inside a dark auditorium awaiting the blinding of strobe lights and deafening of speakers with enough SPL per watt to uproot a forest. And yet, you leave this loud, crammed, seemingly undesirable experience as an inspired, satisfied and overall happier individual; and the question is: why? Why humans not only love, but crave the live music atmosphere, dates back to practically the dawn of mankind.

Even in prehistoric times, the art of live music was believed to play part in the lives of cavemen and women.  Artifacts found revealing cave drawings of people dancing—and let’s be honest, who dances without music? Jump forward a few hundred-millennia to Ancient Greece where live performances of theater and music became not only a source of entrainment but also a means of projecting societal norms.

1700s: Opera emerges as a new type of live music performance; initiating a need for large showcase venues such as La Scala in Milan.

1850: Jenny Linda makes her debut in America, exceeding the crowd size brought out by any preceding artist.

1950s: Rock and Roll broke down the race barrier by showcasing black and white artists side-by-side on a shared stage.

Maybe it’s just in our nature or maybe there truly is something different, something unexplainable about live music. On that note (pun intended), the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center conducted a study which analyzed the compared human reaction to live and recorded music. According to the data retrieved through this study, live music resulted in greater relief of stress among patients than recorded tracks. The setting, the physical vigor and connection between fan and artist has the power to pull audience-members out of their busy lives for a moment, where nothing else matters but the art in front of them.

And that’s not even the best part. Concerts not only have illustrated a unique ability to reach people in a way no other means of art can, they are also -dare I say- saving the music industry. Mind you, this is a debated topic amongst music connoisseurs. Many argue, that as the profit from purchased music decreases with the incline in streaming, the touring and live music industry will pick-up the income slack.

Despite the outlandishness of this claim, it is valid considering the immense growth in live music profit over the past decade. Concerts and live tours, which were once mere means of promoting a new album, have evolved into a multibillion dollar industry. Millennials have undeniably taken part in the live music fad; however according to Ticketmaster’s 2014 Live Attendee Study, their presence was solely thirty-five percent of overall attendees. Therefore insinuating that older generations too have increased in concert attendance, and today take up sixty-five percent of the documented audience.

So picture this…

It’s sixty degrees in Dublin, You’re in an outside venue in close quarters with the stranger on your left. You take a moment to appreciate that one festival brought all of these people together. The lights of the stage dim, and outsteps the artist you came to see. And thus, you leave this loud, crammed, seemingly undesirable experience as an inspired, satisfied and overall happier individual; and the answer is: music.

Josey is a content writer for youbloom as well as a member of the marketing team. She is music obsessed and a diehard Tom Petty fan. Josey currently lives outside of Los Angeles where she enjoys excessively sunny days, train adventures and organic chai (yes, Josey is high-maintenance about her chai).

Danu5ik Interview – Part 2

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15In the second half of my music interview with Danu5ik, he and I tried to pin down what exactly it is that gets an artist’s creative water wheel spinning. Also, Daniel offers sage advice on how to mine that creativity once it’s found. We also discuss his newest project and how EDM is being changed by increased collaborations between DJs.

You were talking about getting hit with this surge of creativity. Could you talk more about how that hits you?

I find it very difficult to sit down in the studio and say I’m going to pump out something. Usually, when I try to do that I end up with tracks that get put on hold for a later date. You can’t really force creativity. Chances are I’ll be sitting in an airport when a concept for a track will come to me and I’ll pull out my laptop and see where I can go with that.

LA was an amazing experience meeting everyone at youbloom. The ideas that were pitched and listening to everyone else’s sounds, those things are really inspirational.

Do you have advice for musicians or artists on how to develop that initial stroke of creativity into a fleshed out piece of work?

Yes, go outside. Take a deep breath. Sitting down in front of the keyboard or guitar is one thing but what I’ve found is if you try to push yourself after that certain time, that creativity just goes down. So do something completely different and then go back to it. What you’ll find is when you go back to that track you’re coming back with a different take but you’re keeping that energy level there.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m about high energy; the enjoyment, the laughter, the happiness. Music to me is an aura, it’s supposed to transition fluently and be able to captivate people in the way starting a conversation with someone new does. You need to be able to just open up your mouth and say “Hello.”

If you missed Danu5ik’s newest Single and Music Video in Part 1 of the interview then  take a peak. Or just watch it again. It’s as good the second time around.

Imagine wasn’t created all in one day, it was created over time and it was something I had to listen to over again. Whatever you’ve created you do need to get it reviewed by someone else, either friends or family. Feedback is everything, that’s the only way you can know you’re on the right path.

Yes, I feel like there is this tendency among musicians to hole themselves away until they create something worthwhile but what I hear from you is the opposite. 

Yes, if you want to inspire to make something great that goes around the world, than you need to be able to show people that you’re not just an artist in the studio not connected to your fans or the world. You need to be able to show them that you can get out there and enjoy life, accept feedback and learn from others. That can only make your music better and that differentiates you from every other artist.

 

How do you find a space for collaboration in an EDM circle? Do places like youbloom foster that connection?

LA was an amazing experience meeting everyone at youbloom. The ideas that were pitched and listening to everyone else’s sounds, those things are really inspirational. For instance, being a part of youbloom I’ve been able to listen to so many other electronica artists and we get to pitch ideas at each other. It’s all about networking and youbloom is fantastic for that being able to connect different artists from different genres because you can never tell where a collaboration may occur.

32.At youbloom it’s great if you have different artists approach you and say they like your sound and want to come up with something. You can never tell where the next hit will come from. I got collaboration requests from youbloom Dublin and that was fantastic. You get to learn more about other artists and in a sense you’re piggy-backing off of each other in a positive way. The top artists wouldn’t be where they are if they hadn’t started somewhere similar so for local artists it’s a great opportunity.

 

What’s your vision as Danu5ik going forward?

At the present moment we are planning a US tour in the new year that takes place from New York to LA and a tour in Canada in 2019. I look forward to it! It gives me a perfect opportunity to connect with fans across the world and visit these different cities and make them a part of the live experience.

 

Is there a different type of atmosphere when you travel to these places you haven’t played at before?

As a DJ you always have to read the crowd. When I perform in different places where the fan following isn’t that strong it’s always interesting to see how those new fans listen to the music and see how it captivates them or doesn’t. For me, it’s always great to take those few moment before performances to connect with fans because I don’t want to be one of those artist who just comes to do the performance and then is out the door. You’re here for the fans so connect with them. It adds more of a one to one with them which is what I set out to achieve and they know I’m always in arms reach or they can take a picture with me or we can grab a drink if it’s a small location.

Its always going to be a challenge to be a local artist.

Never give up on your sound. Know that your sound will evolve.

Do you have any advice for other artists who are trying to make it in this industry right now?

Never give up. I’ve met a lot of artists who always struggle with this. Its always going to be a challenge to be a local artist. Never give up on your sound. Know that your sound will evolve. Keep networking, there are various outlets you can learn from.

It took me going to LA and talking with Andy Gould and he said it quite clearly, the info is there for us artists, it’s all laid out. We don’t have to find things difficult because if you want to connect to another artist there are avenues there. In terms of creating new sounds, there is a wide range of tools out there, experts that can give you feedback. Just reach out and never feel like you’re alone because you’re not.

17. You heard it here folks, Danu5ik has got fresh beats cooking in the oven so follow him at @DDanu5ik to know when those tracks hit. Also, Danu5ik will be at youblomDublin for the 2018 Music Festival & Summit (May 30-June 4) and you should be too. All bands gain free admission to the 5 days of musical performances, workshops, and master classes about navigating the music industry. Apply To Play -Deadlines hit February 19th.

Danu5ik Interview – Part 1

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Photo courtesy of the artist
Photo courtesy of the artist

Danu5ik, the award-winning DJ and producer from Edmonton, Canada has recently dropped his latest in a line of captivating music videos and singles, Imagine. Today, I sat down with the man behind the sleek EDM beats and dreamy vocals, Daniel Lee. With a few international music awards under his belt, including the prestigious IMEA Electronica Artist of the Year for 2016, Daniel was the clear choice when youbloom decided to shine the spotlight on a local artist who was finding success in the music industry. In this two part interview, Daniel and I talk about the cosmic flavor of  Imagine, the molting EDM scene, and what goes into finding international success as a local artist. 

 

First thing I have to ask, where did you get that space suit for Imagine and can I get one two?
Getting the space suit was actually a bit tricky. We tried to get one of the Apollo space suits but those are pretty rare. And I’ve got to tell you, those space suits can get pretty hot especially when you’re on set all day. The suit was a really interesting idea when the song was first created. I wanted to do something with a twist. 

 

What were some of the ideas behind Imagine?
The concept behind Imagine was that it was a journey and it’s about this Spaceman in the middle of nowhere and he got lost and wanted to be able to find his way back and he spent all his time in space alone so it’s about getting back into that social circle. 

 

Yeah, that message of dissociation from social groups really comes out. The whole video is fun to just watch but also you’re able to put this deeper underlying message into it.
Well that’s what I really wanted to achieve with it. We’ve become so in tune with social media that we disassociate ourselves with the person sitting right by us. We are always in tune with our phones but how do you reintegrate yourself with society? 

 If I reflect back on myself back in 2017, going down to youbloom Dublin and meeting new faces and having such a blast or going to LA and connecting with so many people out there. No matter where I went it was fantastic but you have to put yourself out there and that was the message I was trying to achieve with Imagine.

Imagine Music Video – Danu5ik

 

When did music making begin for you?
I started to dabble in music when I was in high school. My music teacher, he had this old Yamaha keyboard synthesizer connected to a monitor and I didn’t know the logistics of the hardware itself but it was able to synthesize some amazing sounds and I used to spend my lunches there just creating unique sounds and dabbling there.

Moving forward I didn’t do anything with music for awhile and it was only in 2014 where I actually started to jump back into it. That’s when I first came out to Canada and that’s what evolved into the first album, From Sea to Kanata, which is a very Deep House kind of sound. Edmonton was still relatively new to the EDM scene and I wanted to put something out there that could show other artists what this is and what my take on all of this was.

 

And how do you feel your sound has evolved since then and how have fans responded to it?
Now my sound has evolved from House to more of Electro-House. Especially when I look at a track like Imagine, it’s just a banging track and I love the fact that when I create these tracks fans have such a positive feedback. That’s not to say its always positive but that’s okay I love all criticism. You have to be able to accept positive and negative feedback from your fans. I wouldn’t be anywhere today without them.

“I’m always sitting on that creative edge.”

Would you say EDM has gone through a transformation where now you’re seeing a lot of subgenres borrowing from each other?
Yes, when I ask what people what type of music they listen to and they say EDM, I always ask what they mean by that. There is a wide range inside of it, and we have to be more particular than that. Is it Progressive, is it Trap, is it House, Is it Deep-House? You’re right it’s evolved into a massive genre and that’s how you get those crossovers. If you look at the top 40s, you’re seeing a lot of EDM artists making it in there and it’s great to be a part of it.

 

Is there a shoebox of unheard Danu5ik tracks hidden somewhere?  
Yes, there is a thumbdrive of tracks that I started and which have never seen the light of the day. In the last album Day Light/Dark Night I was surprised by how many tracks I had started but that didn’t make it onto the album. I think just from that album itself I had enough tracks to make two more albums out of it. I’m always sitting on that creative edge. I get an idea for a track and start it and then put it on hold and then start something new and then I might come back to it.

Imagine was not one on the back-burner though, it was one I came up with on the go. I love tracks like that! The last track I came up with was at the airport and I almost missed my flight because I was so in tune with putting down this beat. Its sound was just so surreal.

We may actually hear some of those old tracks in 2018. I’m in the process of creating the new album which will be released in the next year. There will probably be a few remixes of old tracks as well. It’s looking really well for 2018.

 

What can fans expect from Danu5ik going forward here? Any hints?
For 2018, I want to start out with a big bang. We may be seeing an Imagine Remix which will hopefully spark some interest. It’s too early in the game to say for sure but Imagine is a good hint of what’s to come. There’s going to be a string of music videos coming out in 2018 but I can’t say more than that.

17Keep an eye on our tweets to catch the rest of my interview with Danu5ik. And why not take his advice and, “Put yourself out there;” Daniel will be playing at youbloomDublin in May and is eager to meet fans and collaborators alike. Artists that Apply to Play will get free admission to the Festival and Summit.

 

 

 

 

Top 6 Micro Job Sites – For Musicians

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Choosing the Right Micro Job Site

Being an independent artist can be tricky. When the gigs aren’t exactly flowing, one way artists can convert their skills to profit are through micro job sites. While platforms like Fiverr have become a popular hub for freelancers to offer up their skills to patrons, many competing micro job sites are offering unique perks to accrue their own network of buyers and sellers. Here we’ll disentangle the pros and cons of these platforms so you can find the one that’ll suit your needs.

Fiverr

Fiverr being the most well know micro job site platform, it has set the bar for this global marketplace. As its name suggests, a musician can offer up their services for as little as 5 bucks. Fiverr’s platform is clean and user friendly and seems to cater to musicians more with services being broken into categories like: Voice Over, Mixing & Mastering, Singer-Songwriters, Jingles & Drops, and Sound Effects as well as others. The commission Fiverr receives per gig is 20%, meaning they’ll get a dollar of that $5 jingle you wrote. While this rate is somewhat steady among job sites, minimum service rates can vary as well.

 

Fourer

The next logical step if Fiverr is not for you is Fourer. With no lack in discretion, this site is a spin-off from Fiverr and the minimum rate is $4. Like Fiverr, Fourer nabs 20% of each transaction. The catch with this site is that you can only receive your payout through Paypal. Many similar job sites function this way so consider your relationship with Paypal before signing up. Fourerr also provides users the ability to “level up” where points can be gained by selling services. These points can then be exchanged  for purchasing credit  on the platform.  

 

FiverUp

Don’t let its name fool you. FiverUp offers minimum rates of $4 and takes a 20%  commission. You can manage your funds through Paypal or your credit card. In an attempt to differentiate itself from its competitors this micro job site offers a flurry of extra features. For example, FiverUp offers a “bump” function which allows users to pin their service to the site’s front page everyday. Their is also the possibility that if the company finds your service to be unique or especially useful, they will feature it in their blog, maximizing your exposure.

 

SEOClerks

Diverting from the common pun, SEOClerks has carved out its own niche of buyers and sellers priding itself/advertising itself on services as low as $1 and being especially useful to SEO and web development services. If you are an artist looking to beautify your website or expand your brand coverage, purchasing services here may be your best bet, but SEOCLerks allows you to sell the same range of services as the other sites, leaving a category of Music and Audio for musicians to sell their craft as well. They have different user levels which dictate the range of cost you can demand for your services where you may start offering gigs from $5-$125 and at later levels there is no maximum on the price. They also have a “want to buy” and “want to trade” section, where you can ask to have specific gigs done.

 

Gigbucks

While not wholly unique in its design, the platform has garnered good reviews from it users and a reliable following. Like the others, Gigbucks pays out through Paypal or Alertpay/Payza, and also offers credit to one’s Gigbucks account balance. The rate one can charge is $5 – 50 and Gigbucks takes a set 20% cut.

 

Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)

Finally, there is MTurk. This Amazon-affiliated crowdsourcing website is based in India and has accumulated a wide girth of customers over the years and is known to be a sturdy forefather of the micro job site platform. Any number of Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs) can be requested and those who complete them, Turkers, are paid in Amazon credit. One can also pay the Turker through debit/credit or PayPal. Workers based in India have an added perk of being able to receive payment as a direct deposit in the form of Rupees. The commission rate for MTurk is where things become more complicated with a 20% – 40% fee per HIT depending on a workers number of tasks at had. A worker can be paid as low as $0.01 for a task but usually jobs pay as low as $1.20.

 

Still not sure where to post your services? Take a look at our comparison chart of what each platform has to offer. Hopefully this will clear things up so you can begin posting and get paid!Red Orange Photo Comparison Chart.png

Robert Loustaunau is a content writer for youbloom and is a member of the social media team there. He is an avid music maker and listener. He enjoys the simple things in life: coffee, a good book, and quality time with his lovely girlfriend.

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