It’s been a busy week. I opened up the Youtube link to myself and Mike’s cover version of ‘Roads’ to the public on Tuesday and so far I’ve had some lovely comments. If you haven’t had chance to watch it yet, then just click on this link to take you to my Youtube channel
On Monday morning I was back having vocal coaching after a long Christmas/New Year break. I’ve decided to sit for exams this year as it will help me focus on technique, so we spent most of the time going through the syllabus, working out which 3 songs would best suit my voice and which key I should sing them in.
Monday afternoon was back with Mike Raine in his recording studio where we made great progress on my music video for my second single “Blue”. This one took longer than I had anticipated as, whilst the concept we had was quite simple, we had to shoot some green screen footage which always takes time to set up. I don’t think it will be too long now before I can share it with you, so I’m feeling very excited about that. Just as a little teaser, here is a still from the video
I find it really hard to to watch myself on video – I keep thinking it will get easier, but I’m still waiting! All I want to do is crawl back into my box! We had a chat about this in my beach shack facebook group on Tuesday as I was interested to know what techniques other’s had for coping with the anxiety they felt when stepping out of their comfort zones. It was an interesting discussion and I picked up some great tips. If you’d like to join us over in the beach shack it is a really welcoming, fun place, full of wonderful people who I’m enjoying getting to know better every day. You need to be a newsletter subscriber to join the group, so if you’d like to , then just click on this link and sign yourself up. It will be great to have you in the group.
It made me think of another question I was asked a few months ago by a friend. The question was: “Do you find it hard to listen to recordings of yourself?” He asked this as he said that he found it difficult to listen to his own voice on the answering machine. How many of us feel the same way ? Anyway, my answer was a resounding ‘Yes!’ I have found it very difficult to learn to accept and like my singing voice and it has been very hard to try to separate myself from what I hear and not be too critical.
I always remember an interview with Robbie Williams a few years ago in which he confessed that it took him years to accept and like his singing voice and, knowing that has made me feel that I am not alone. I’m certainly no diva – don’t have all the bells, whistles and ornamentation that some singers have (sigh – if only!) but I am slowly learning to love and accept what I have – my own unique voice.
Until next time, take care,
Laini xx