Hey Guys, Check out the interview I did with niccolo brandes, an upcoming music artist, he’s only 20 years old and he’s got a great future ahead of him, hope you enjoy the interview.

How are you doing Niccolo?

I’m doing well! Glad to be doing this interview with you!

Can you give us some background information about yourself?

HI! My name is Niccolo Brandes I’m 20 years old and currently attend California State University Long Beach (Go 49ers!) where I am majoring in Computer Engineering but my hope is to get into teaching music so I could share my knowledge to inspire others to play music.

Out of all the instruments you play, which one is your favourite and why?

I would say the piano because it is where I can express myself the most. I play the guitar and ukulele as well and I love you playing those instruments, but there is something about the piano that when I sit down, I feel like myself.

How did you get into playing the piano? Why did you want to learn how to play?

I got into playing the piano through my mom. My grandmother and mother both played piano as well so when I was young they suggested that I should learn how to play to see if I would like it and sure enough I did and the rest is as they say, history.

How difficult is it playing than ear rather using sheets?

I don’t think it is that much harder to play by ear than use sheets because the only real difference I believe is the memorization. With sheets if you forget a note, or a segment of notes, you can always go back and find the part you forgot. With playing by ear, if you forget a part, then you have to go back and listen to find the part you forgot.

Are you looking to learn how to play using sheets?

I’m able to play using sheets but I feel like it slows me down somewhat because I’m so used to just playing by ear.

Who are musical inspirations?

Of course have to start with of course my family, without them I would have never touched a piano or any instrument. My friends who support what I do and are always there for me. Finally my girlfriend who provides the love and gives me the drive to keep trying to be better.

Who would you point to that has been an inspiration to you in your musical career?

I believe my parents inspired me to keep practicing and be the best not only musician but person I could be by laying a good foundation and keeping me down to earth. Also, taught me to have fun with what I do because there’s a time to have fun and a time to be serious.

What are your immediate career goals? Where do you see your career going?

Well I am focusing on finishing school and would like to see where my degree could take me or what other opportunities will arise.

Did you have any difficult moment, when you just want to quit, what was your inspiration to fight back and keep going?

There was one point where I stopped playing from middle school to the end of high school where I just grew a disinterest in playing finding it boring somewhat. I guess I have to give credit to Youtube for inspiring me to get back into it because I was seeing that normal people like me were getting famous for showcasing their talents and I wanted to see if my talent could get some exposure.

Can you give me some of the key moments so far in your ongoing career?

I have performed in a Benefit for the Blind concert, which was a benefit concert for blind people which included a performance by Americas Best Dance Crew season 2 winners Super Crew . I have been featured on artists websites such as B.O.B., Mike Posner, and Charice Pempengco. Of course I consider this interview to be a significant moment in my career as well!

How would you say YouTube has helped in sharing your passion and also connecting with people?

Youtube gives hope to the average person that if you have talent, you will get discovered one way or another. Whether it’s playing music, singing, being a comedian, making movies, your talent will be discovered.

What do you outside music? Any other hobbies?

I enjoy playing basketball in my free time (Go Lakers!) and basically just hanging out with my girlfriend and close friends. I’m a pretty normal guy outside of Youtube.

What are key fundamentals that you think anyone looking to learn how to play the piano or want to make a career out of it needs to have or know?

PRACTICE and MOTIVATION. A lot of people ask me this question a lot and the first thing I tell them is to keep practicing because you can’t get better without it. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t practice, that talent is just going to stay hidden.

What would you see yourself doing apart from music as a career?

I would really love to teach either at the high school or college level because I enjoy sharing what I know with other people and in turn I learn more because of what someone else has learned.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Hopefully have finished school and started my career whatever it may be and just being happy with my life and the people that are in it.

Thanks for your time Niccolo

Connect with him:

Twitter
Twitter.com/nicoflow

Facebook!
facebook.com/NiccoloBrandes

Hey Guys, I had the opportunity to interview the beautiful and multi-talented media artist Sheena, Sheena has used social media to share her passion for music, TV and film.

She just finished her new video on youtube, check it out!

Hope you enjoy the interview.

Hi Sheena, How are you doing?

I’m doing great thank you!

So can you quickly give us some background information about yourself?

That’s an easy question (laughing)! In a nutshell I would say I’m a Media Artist, with roots as a singer-songwriter. In today’s digital age, I find myself attracted to various areas along with music, like TV/Film, and of course the Internet has been good to me as well!

How would you describe your style of music?

My music is really an amalgamation of many different styles. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been influenced by different corners of the world. I grew up in Canada, studied jazz, and opera and always loved R&B/Pop music.

My grandfather, who was a composer in India taught me to appreciate Indian classical music from an early age. And, to add to the mix, I lived in Tokyo a few years ago and that really opened my ears and my heart to a whole new musical world.

What type of music do you listen to?

I love any kind of music that speaks to me. The message can be found in a catchy beat, a beautiful storyline, or even something weird and quirky that catches my attention. I love music that is moving.

Doesn’t matter what the style is, as long as I can feel the passion behind the beat or words, I’ll keep listening.

Who are your musical inspirations?

I cannot just name one or two people who have inspired me. I am really lucky that way because my inspiration stems from everything and everyone around me.

We all have music in us. Of course, my family and friends contribute the most to my songwriting, because I write from my experiences (or theirs!); and, in terms of inspirations to sing, the list starts with my first choir director and range to my favourite singers and songwriters today.

A person can be inspired just about anywhere and I think the trick is just to be receptive to it. I once heard that songs are already written, we just have to find and share them. I believe that 100%.

At what age did you realise that singing was a career path you wanted to pursue?

I’ve never really wanted to do anything else to be honest. Of course, I’ve had bad days, weeks or even months, but when music hits me hard I shift my focus to screen projects (nothing that I can reveal yet I’m afraid!) or to the SheenaMelwani.com world! How can you really complain when you do what you love every day?

What will you say has been some of the benefits of posting your videos online, especially on YouTube and the power the internet has given individuals and talents to be able to share their passion with the world?

I was in Japan when I posted my first video on YouTube, and thought it would be a good way to stay connected with my friends back home. It was my way to share my voice and music with my circle of friends and family (and I thought a few others might watch as well, and that was fine by me).

Now, two years and over 10 million hits later, people from all over the world are encouraging me every day to finish my album, to sing another song on SheenaTV, to help guide their own budding careers. I get messages in English, French, Spanish, Hindi, Japanese, German, Portuguese – the list goes on and on!

The internet has literally brought us all together and it’s thanks to YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and such sites that independent artists now also have direct access to a worldwide fan base.

Why did you decide to start SheenaTV?

I first started SheenaTV because I was contacted by Yahoo! to be one of the very first broadcasters for a beta project called Yahoo! Live. I thought it would be a nice way for people to get to know the real me and agreed. Ironically, the Yahoo! program died but SheenaTV went from an average of 50 viewers an episode to close to a 1000 – thankfully not everyone chats at the same time!

People enjoy connecting in ‘real-time’ and SheenaTV allows me to do so directly with my fans. Apart from playing the part of the ‘Human Jukebox‘ (people don’t seem to care if I know all the words to their favourite songs), I also sample some original music, discuss issues the group wants to discuss and sometimes give everyone a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view of a video being filmed.

What do you outside music, what other projects are you involved in?

I’m into a lot of things other than music! Music may be my heart, but it is not the only thing in my life! I spend almost every morning at the gym, enjoy practicing yoga, love to cook, and most of all – love to eat!

What should we be expecting from you in the near future?

Many wonderful things I hope! I have an album in process, an iPhone app in the making, some screen ideas somewhere in the mix and I’m just going with the flow. Its not about the destination, but the journey, right?

What has been your greatest challenge?

When you handle everything independently, it really takes discipline and motivation to keep moving forward. I think this has been my biggest challenge thus far. Somedays, you can wake up and feel like you’ve moved backwards, and that’s not a nice feeling!

Lucky for me, that doesn’t happen too often, and when it does the people in my life are great at getting me back on my feet. And, when that doesn’t work I just get on SheenaMelwani.com or Facebook and seeing people commenting from around the world, at all times of the day and night reminds me immediately why I do what I do.

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue a career as a singer?

Don’t take no for answer. If you want to be a professional singer, then keep singing and don’t be afraid to put yourself and your music out there. Not everyone is going to like your voice, but you have to keep pushing. And in this day and age, with all these social media tools right at your fingertips, there really is no excuse anymore. Sing because you want to sing, not because you want people to listen!

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

A lot can happen in five years! I hope I’m doing more of what I’m doing now. Working on various media projects for a wider audience. I am a big believer in destiny, so I too am excited about what destiny may have in store for me!

Any last words for your fans and the readers of YHP?

Of course, I always have something else to say! Thank you for watching me, listening to my music, visiting my website, and simply for believing in me. It makes all the work much easier to do when you see people enjoying the final product, so a big “Thank You” – from the bottom of my heart for making my experience such a wonderful one.

Thanks for your time Sheena

You are very welcome. Thank you for your time as well!

Connect with Sheena

SheenaMelwani.com
Facebook.com/SheenaMelwaniMusic
YouTube.com/SheenaMelwani
Twitter.com/SheenaMelwani
Myspace.com/SheenaMelwani

Just recently done an interview with Zae, a young music artist from Philadelphia.

Hope you enjoy the interview!

Hey Zae, How are you doing? So cool of you to join us on YHP

Hey, I’m doing great! Thanks so much for this opportunity.

So before we move on, tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Zae, and I’m an aspiring singer from Philadelphia.

How did you get into music?

I never really known how I got into music, all I know is it’s something that always caught my attention. Whether it was records, tapes, instruments, I was always around music stuff as a young child.

How long have you been singing? Who inspired musically as a child?

I’ve been singing ever since I could remember. I was always inspired by artist such as Brian McKnight, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.

Do you have other siblings who are into music?

I do have an older cousin that also sings. She is amazing, might I add. When I was really small, we always sung together. I was always bugging her to help me sing. After she got me started, she couldn’t stop me. Not even until this day! (Laughter!)

How do you classify your music?

I like my music to speak for itself, but if I had to choose a genre, I would say Pop/R&b.

Why did you start posting cover songs on YouTube and how has that helped your music career?

I started posting videos for fun. I never really knew how many people watch other people sing covers. I didn’t expect to get famous off it though, just to create a buzz for myself. YouTube has brought me many opportunities such as management and also a chance to sing the national anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies.

What’s the best thing about doing what you do now?

The best thing about what I do is just making people happy. I’ve noticed that many people appreciate what I love to do, and that’s what keeps me going. Also getting to know new people is awesome!

What’s the downside?

The downside is the music industry is a very crazy business. There are a lot of barriers you have to face, but you have to go in with a strong mind and thick skin.

Who are your inspirations in the music industry?

My inspirations in the music industry today are all the young artist doing their thing such as Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, Charice, Travis Garland, Karina Pasian, and many others making a name for themselves.

What’s been your most memorable moment so far?

My most memorable moment had to be singing for the first time at my middle school. It was the first time I told them I can sing. I sung “I Believe In You and Me” by The Four Tops, and they were scared to death for me. They were pleasantly surprised and they gave me a standing ovation. It was an amazing feeling.

What are your current projects? Upcoming ones?

As of right now, I am working on my demo for the Record Labels. That’s the main goal. It’s almost done and it’s sounding great! I can’t wait for you guys to hear it! Then off to shop to the Labels!

What is your opinion about the state of music today?

I believe music today is basically about making you feel good and keeping you entertained. Everyone now-a-days want to be entertained, so the biggest artist today are those entertainers thinking outside the box.

What do you do outside music for fun?

Outside music, I basically like to do regular things like hanging out with friends and family, going to the movies and the mall, i love swimming, and I really enjoy travelling to different places. Oh, I also love texting!

When can we expect a full length album from you?

Maybe by next year, maybe sooner I’ll keep you guys updated!

Thanks for your time Zae

No problem, Thank you! & don’t forget to stay following me via YouTube

Follow him on twitter and subscribe to his youtube channel.

Hey Guys, i had the opportunity to do an interview with an all round amazing guy and artist, you would agree with me that through this interview, you get to see how cool he is and how hard he has worked to get to where he is.

Victor Kim shares some of his experiences with me, and i have to tell, it’s simply inspirational, if you’re looking for that something, to give a kick up your backside, then this interview is for you.

Hey Victor, Thanks for doing this interview with me on YHP, How are you doing?

My pleasure! and im doing excellent, thank you for asking.

Can you quickly give some brief background information about yourself?

Absolutely! My name is victor kim and i was born and raised in Sacramento. I moved to southern california to go to college at UC Irvine where i graduated with a degree in Economics, through a series of amazing and unexpected events, i am currently a professional dancer and musician.

How did you get started online, posting videos on YouTube and sharing your hobbies with the world?

I was inspired to post videos online by people such as Passion, AJ Rafael, David Choi and many other artists that i admire. I loved the idea of sharing something you love with the world. also, as soon as we got off ABDC, the first thing i did with the prize money was to buy a macbook! ever since then i’ve had the chance to meet and become good friends with many of the artists i look up to.

What has been the most memorable experience so far?

It’s hard to choose a specific moment as the most memorable, but one experience that i vividly remember is a memory from hawaii.

I was laying down at one of the most beautiful beaches i have ever seen in my life, and realized how blessed i am to be doing what i love, with the people i love. it was a very surreal moment, where i had the sensation that i was living a dream.

How did you join Quest Crew and why?

I met the guys of Quest through the hip hop dance community in southern california when i was in college. My two best friends in school were both on collegiate hip hop teams (Mike Song was in Kaba Modern and Anthony Lee was in CADC), and as much as i loved watching these teams, the style of dance wasn’t my particular brand, then i met the guys of Quest and things just clicked.

I joined with them because they inspire me not as just dancers, but as people as well.

How does it feel to win the MTV’S Season 3 of the American best dance crew?

The most honest way that i can describe winning ABDC, is that thats how i imagine heaven to be. there was so much leading up to that moment where mario lopez announced our names as the champions, and when he did the first thing that i did, (after having a mild heart attack on stage) was to get on my knees and thank God.
I felt so close to Him in that moment, and it was a huge affirmation that i am doing what He wants me to be doing with my life.

Share with us one of the most difficult time in your life and how you handled it?

The most difficult moment of my life was during my freshman year of high school. back then, i had very little ambition in my life, and all i wanted to do was skateboard and do graffiti. I dont know what sparked this rebellious nature in me, but it all stopped when i got arrested for vandalism.

The specific moment that changed my life was when i saw my mom’s eyes looking at her son in the back of a police car. from then on i made a promise to myself that i would never make her cry again, and that i would do everything i can to make her proud. from then on, i started working harder in school and eventually got transferred to the honors and AP classes.

I became more active in church, and picked up playing the guitar and starting dancing.

You pretty much do everything, dancing, singing, playing instruments, arts..What can’t you do
(LAUGHTER?)

haha thank you ! there are definitely many many things that i cannot do, but i try to focus my time and energy on the things that i am very passionate about. but i must admit, im not the best in the world with driving directions !

Haha..Finally something you’re not good at, I’m only joking..

How the hell did you learn how to do all of this, and to do it properly as well, it’s totally crazy?

Well, i suppose there is a slightly obsessive tendency when it comes to things that i enjoy. when i first started breakin, i would spend hours and hours every day in my living room trying to do windmills. then after that, i would lock myself away in my room (not literally) with my guitar and practice till my fingers couldnt take it anymore. perhaps its just the attitude that if you truly want something, you have to be willing to work harder than everyone else to achieve it.

Who/what has been your inspiration to keep going even when things aren’t going well?

There have definitely been times where things werent going as successfully as they are now. towards the end of my time at UC Irvine, i was very lost with what i wanted to do with my life post-college. but one thing that provided strength and hope in those times, was the belief that God is in complete control.

I firmly believe that God has written out the story of my life long before i was even born, and that i am simply living out the motion picture that He has already created for me.

Do you think it takes a lot of discipline and also sacrifice to make it to the top? What has been the toughest decision you’ve had to make?

There is definitely a lot of discipline involved in achieving any goal that is worthwhile. like i mentioned earlier, you must be willing to work harder than everyone else. but discipline isnt solely dependent on what you physically do but what you do with your mind and soul is also equally as important, and the thoughts that you carry with you everyday are crucial in determining the course of your life.

Who are your musical, artistic, dance inspirations?

Anyone who is truly passionate about what they do. they are my inspirations.

If you had to choose one of the things you, to pick one as a career, which one would it have to be?

I would probably choose music. as much as i love to dance, i might be less inclined to do hollowbacks when im 60!

Haha! You just never know…

Is it ever overwhelming, you know, the support from people, realising that people on the other side of the world are inspired by you?

It is definitely a blessing. if i were to go back in time and tell myself that there was people in Australia that enjoy my music and dancing, i wouldnt even believe it. when i first started out doing these things, i did them simply because it made me happy to do them. now that i find other people finding happiness in what i do, it is incredibly encouraging to work even harder.

How do you keep your humility and focus?

My parents. as long as i can remember, and even to this day my mom and dad told me how important it was to be humble. i am very thankful for the values that my parents have instilled in me and my brothers. as far as focus, i guess its just good genes !

If you could go back in time, what person would you like to have a chat with or hang with and why?

I would love to hang out with Jesus. He just seems like a really good guy you know?

What are your thoughts on the internet, websites such as YouTube, its advantages, the benefits it has given you?

I was watching an interview on Conan O’Brien and he was talking about the power of the internet, and how we are living in a new generation where things are now possible that weren’t in the past. instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars marketing his personal tour across America, he simply twittered about it. the tour was sold out in a matter of hours.

I believe that this generation is extremely blessed to have resources such as the internet because through these vehicles we can share with each other so easily, and have the capability to reaching a mass audience. just like the dawn of the industrial age and information age, new opportunities are presenting themselves for those who believe.

What should we be expecting from you in the future?

Definitely more things with my brothers of Quest Crew. we have a lot of big dreams and i know that together we can accomplish anything. i am also planning on writing more original music, and possibly some more performances with the YoMama Crew (Mike Song and Anthony Lee). i have a lot of dreams yet to achieve !

What advice would you like to give anyone looking to follow in your footstep?

“Ask and it will be give to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7)

Thanks for your time Victor!

Anytime :]

Don’t forget to check out our sponsor: QuickLingo
Quick Lingo is a professional translation and interpretation service provider to the corporate community and public sector.

Hi Guys, check out this interview with wade johnston.

Wade is a young singer/songwriter, guitarist, one of the very many that have really benefited from youtube.
After creating his youtube channel in summer 2008, posting original songs and covers he was able to reach a large audience, creating a fanbase online and performing in various events and concerts.

One cover that got him noticed was Julia Nunes’ song, “Regrets.” the video response ended up catching Nunes’s attention. Soon after, in October, Wade was invited to perform at her side at the first ever YouTube Live in San Francisco, CA.

He is also in a band called Wade Johnston and the Navigators

Hi Wade, How are you doing?

Staying busy…very busy.

So quickly give us some background information about you?

Well, I’m a 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio. I like to make music—I make videos on YouTube, and I’m the front man of my band “Wade Johnston & The Navigators.” On the side (ha), I’m a full-time Urban Planning student at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati and I have a job.

How did you get into music?

I’ve grown up in a fairly musical family –I started off singing in a chorus at 9, played piano from about 11-13, and ended up choosing guitar around age 14. I began to experiment with writing music/lyrics soon after, and I’ve loved doing it ever since.

What is your favourite aspect of your own playing style?

I’m a sucker for harmony-driven music. More importantly, I love my band’s unique setup with me singing and playing guitar/ukulele accompanied by two other voices, steady hand percussion, and rocking electric bass.

What are you doing at this moment to keep things fresh for you and your audiences?

My band and I just released our first EP, so I’m transitioning back to song writing mode so I can get some new videos posted to YouTube this summer.

What has been your most memorable experience so far?

That’s a really tough question because YouTube has presented me with so many rewarding experiences. YouTube LIVE! was an amazing event, but I’ve also had some other unreal opportunities to travel and play over the past 2 years. Not to mention I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of YouTube’s finest, including Pomplamoose, Julia Nunes, and Danielle Ate The Sandwich. However, when I’m sixty, I think that having 20,000 fans across the world that enjoyed listening to my music will be the most memorable experience.

If you had to choose one, playing instruments or singing?

Hmm, another toughie. Probably singing. Sometimes I go a week without playing because I get so wrapped up in school and work, but I can’t go a day without singing. Or even an hour…

What has been the most challenging part of your career so far and what did you do to remain focused?

The most challenging part of my music career so far has been balancing my YouTube persona with that of my band. On YouTube, I make most of my videos all by myself, but in life performances I rely on my bandmates to help me create a unique sound. My goal for this summer is to integrate the two in order to allow viewers to get a better idea for my vision as a songwriter.

You keep picking up musical instruments and exceeding in it, which one out of all the instruments you play, is your favourite and why?

Although I love the island-like, upbeat feel of the ukulele, I think guitar is my favorite because 1) I’m better at it, and 2) I think it’s a more versatile instrument to perform with. The ukulele has just four strings and a few octaves to work with, but a guitar has many more options.

Are you looking to pick up another instrument anytime soon?

I’m always looking to pick up new instrument! Actually, I recently just picked up the juice harp. I’m really excited to have my own house next year so I can setup a drum kit and maybe get an upright piano. I’m also interested in learning banjo and mandolin when I can find the time.

Many people who are picking up the ukulele for the first time want to play like you. What advice can you give to aspiring musicians about music and creating their own style?

No matter what other people think, be true to yourself as a musician. If you’re already doing that, all you need to do is post some videos on YouTube and maybe you’ll get lucky like I did! (ha)

What do you think is the most important thing you have practiced, and how has it improved your playing?

Hands down, finger picking (pun intended, ha). Taking the time early in my guitar training to discipline myself has helped me write new songs and made me a more versatile musician overall.

Do you think YouTube and the internet in general has helped you taking your music career to the next level?

Let me put it this way: without YouTube and the internet, no one outside of Cincinnati would know who I am. YouTube and the internet have changed the way people listen to music, and I’m just happy that I was born into the right place at the right time.

What inspires you to learn instruments and make music?

Learning a new instrument is like exploring a new room in some crazy musical mansion. It feeds the indecisive composer in me who is constantly searching for new music. Music is a way for me to make the intangible in my life tangible. I love the feeling of creating something that I’m proud of. It’s almost therapeutic in the sense that it allows me to say what I otherwise might not be able to say with words.

What should be expecting from you in the future?

Lots of new videos, a new CD in the distant future, and maybe some US touring. Your guess is as good as mine for what opportunity YouTube will present for me next.

Thanks for your time Wade

Thanks Joseph!

Don’t forget to check out our sponsor: QuickLingo
Quick Lingo is a professional translation and interpretation service provider to the corporate community and public sector.

Hey Guys, I had the opportunity of doing an interview with an upcoming music artist and producer, Samii and Srs are two best friends who are looking to become the music sensation of the netherland , and they are already talking to eventually becoming an international sensation, you should probably take notes of their names.

It all started from posting a video on YouTube, now their cover of iyaz replay now has 1.7 million views in just over a month.

Hope you enjoy the interview!

Hey Guys, How are you doing?

First of all we’d like to thank you for this interview! We’re actually feeling really good. Srs just finished his final exams and Samii is going into his last year of school. Yep, we’re still in high school

Can you give us some background information about yourselves? Let s get to know you guys? What you guys do?

Well, where do we start. Let’s begin to say that we know each other since the age of four. We lived in the same street. Apart from being best friends, we also share the same love for music. While Sami was busy with singing and writing, Srs got involved with making beats. We started of making dutch music.

We did that because we wanted to approach people in the Netherlands, because that’s where we live. After we’ve done several things, such as performances on live television, performances for a big audience and reached thousands of youtube views, we decided to start making English songs.

How did you both get involved in music?

That’s a pretty funny story actually. When the first season of Dutch Idols came on TV, we really enjoyed watching it and we had a CD with all the performances on it. When we saw this, we both knew that we wanted to do the same as them, making music and entertaining people. We never thought that it would become so serious though.

Your cover to Iyaz replay is going crazy right now, it has over 1.7 million hits in just over a month, where you expecting it, how did you react, what did you guys do?

Well, the only thing we can say is WOW! We could never even dream about such a big number. The first day we uploaded the video it already got like 100.000 views which we thought was already crazy!! But 1,7 million views!? You couldn’t pay us to believe such a thing, haha!

You done a song called “You make me go”, what are the responses so far?

They’ve been really good so far. Listeners say that the song makes them happy. It’s so funny, we made the song when we were in a ‘’Summer mood’’. We just recorded the song, made a video and posted it up on the internet. Getting such good responses motivates us to make more songs like that.

What kind of music do you guys listen to?

We basically listen to really anything. As long as it sounds good. We prefer pop, r&b and rap, but a good rock song can also be awesome.

Who are your musical inspirations?

That would be a big list… just to name a few of them: Jason Derulo, Lady Gaga, Usher, Lil Wayne, Iyaz etc.

What are you guys currently working on, what should we be expecting from you during this summer break?

We’re working on some original songs and some new covers. We’re actually releasing a cover of Jason Derulo’s ‘’In My Head’’ very soon. We are also trying to collaborate with some other youtube-artists.

How has the journey been so far? What have been some of the key things you’ve learnt so far?

So far it’s been great. It’s absolutely a great feeling to get so many positive reactions on our music. Those reactions are really rewarding since we put so much work into our music. What we definitely learnt so far is that we need to keep focused on our music and be consistent with it.

What are you looking to do better or different now?

We’ll try to work even harder to reach our goal.

What has been one of your most satisfying moments so far?

Ehmm, I think that has to be one of Samii’s live performance in the Netherlands. Just seeing 1500 people singing along to a song YOU made, is one of the best feelings you can have.

Have you guys ever had a challenging process that almost made you guys doubt the path you’ve taken?

Sure. When we decided to built a home-studio, we expected that making music would be much easier, because it was ours and we would be the one that decided when and how long we would record. But when we got started we found out that we didn’t know that much about recording.

At that point it was pretty frustrating because we spent a lot of money on the studio and we didn’t immediately got good results out of it. It just took time, but after a while we learnt to work with it. I guess hard work pays off.

What would you like to say to anyone out there supporting your music?

Thank you for your support. You really put smiles on our faces

What do you guys do for fun?

We’re just teens so we like to do things that most people of our age like to do. Going out, hanging out with friends, going to the cinema and the city, playing basketball and also playing games of course, hehe:D

Where do you both see yourself in the next 5 years?

Sami: Hoping to see a song from me on the billboardcharts haha
Srs: I hope that I will be working together with a lot of famous artists.

Thanks for your time guys.

Thank you too!!

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Hey Guys, I have done this interview with the talented clare gage, clare shares her story on her journey and also some few tips for young entrepreneurs to take note of.

Hope you enjoy the interview!

Hey Clare, how are you doing? Welcome to YHP, Can you introduce yourself to everyone and kindly tell us what you do?

Hi I’m Clare Gage. I graduated from Cumbria Institute of the Arts in 2007 with a first in Contemporary Applied Arts. In my final year at uni I entered the RSA Ceramic Futures award with my designs that brought my two interests of textiles and ceramics together.

I won the Ceramic Futures award and was made a Fellow of the RSA, I now work from my studio in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, my home town. I am a Designer Maker, making and selling my Textile Inspired Ceramics, a collection that developed from the RSA award winning designs.

Tell us about your company and why did you start it?

My company is called Clare Gage. I started it after graduating. I wanted to have a career making and selling my handmade ceramics. I make all my ceramics myself in my studio in Chesterfield. I then sell through shops and galleries across the country. I also sell online at www.notonthehighstreet.com/claregage and at events such as the Country Living Spring Fair. It’s been a real adventure since I started, I’ve been lucky enough to win a number of awards and my designs have been popular with the press so have been featured in a number of magazines.

Currently I’m working on a commission from the Mayor of Chesterfield who has asked me to make a limited edition piece which will be sold to raise money for the Mayoral Appeal supporting local charity Fairplay. It’s a big order so I’m busy making lots of cups and experimenting with new coloured clay!

What do you think are the benefits of starting a business at a young age?

I think starting the business at this age has meant that I am full of enthusiasm and energy. Importantly I have the opportunity to work really hard. I’m able to concentrate on it without too many other responsibilities. I’m keen to make the most of the opportunities that I have in order to build my business in the next few years.

What inspires you and what is the inspiration behind your business?

I’m inspired by lots of things. With my work I’m mostly inspired by textiles, which may seem strange when I’m working in ceramics! I love working in ceramics but as the textile piece is the starting point for each design it’s this that fills me with ideas.

With the business I’m inspired by the successes I see around me. I take inspiration from other business women who have made a career from doing things that they love.

Who are you target market?

I have found that my designs really appeal to people interested in owning things that really stand out. It is often women that are interested in my designs, they have a delicate feminine style. People interested in textile also love my work, especially the Button Cup which always gets attention!

I’ve chosen the events that I attend carefully in order to find my target market. The Country Living Spring Fair is a key event for me.

How have you been marketing your products so far? How effective has it been?

I have put a lot of energy into marketing my products. You can make beautiful things in a studio in Chesterfield but no one can buy them if they don’t know about them! I often send out press releases about interesting news stories. I send my work out to magazine stylists to be used in photo shoots.

Attending the Country Living Spring Fair really made a difference to my marketing opportunities. Stylists saw me there and got in touch after the event to feature the work in their magazine. High profile events like this are a great way to get found.

What do you read or listen to, to keep you motivated, especially when you feel down?

I listen to my friends and family, and my fiancé! They are the people that really support me in my business and encourage me to keep up the good work. It is challenging starting a business and there is an awful lot to learn. I ask advice from local business people and like to attend the creative networking events locally to keep in touch with other people working in a similar way to me.

Also, 6 music keeps me company in the studio when I’m making lots of cups! Music always helps, Save 6 music!!!

What has been your most memorable experience so far?

I think the most memorable experience so far was preparing for and attending the Country Living Spring Fair 2009. I choose to attend really late in the day and had just 3 weeks to get ready! With the help of my friends, family and local businesses I managed to prepare for the event. I was busy at my desk making lots of cups whilst everyone worked busily around me.

It was a great supportive experience. Then on the first day of the event we were awarded the Editor’s Choice Award! This was a great piece of news to tell all the people that had helped in the preparations. I saved the champagne we were given and shared it with everyone when I got back to Chesterfield. It was a fantastic experience and really gave my business a boost.

Does you business offer anything out of the ordinary/something different that no one else is doing at the moment?

My designs are really different, the creative technique that I use to make them always interests people and I hope everyone who chooses one feels that they have something out of the ordinary!

How did you raise money for your business?

I received some funding through winning the RSA project. This gave me the money to buy my kiln, a very important piece of equipment! I raised the rest of the funding from a business angel.

What would you tell other women out there who were thinking of starting their own businesses?

I have so much advice to give! I would say that a really important piece of advice is to be organised. Work out your business plan before you begin, although things never go entirely to plan you need to have things to aim for in order to succeed.

What are your plans for the future?

I aim to extend my range, use some of the many ideas that I’ve got! I also aim to find some larger high profile stockists. I will be taking on a graduate intern towards the end of the year and this should help my business grow. I’ll be working hard to move the business forward and hope to enjoy the challenges this will bring!

Thanks for your time Clare, I wish you the best for the future and hope to speak to you sometimes in the future.

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Here’s a quick interview i done with a very cool music artist, Tyler Ward

Tyler was influenced by boyce avenue and started posting up his videos on youtube like they did, he was also inspired by his mother Susan Ward, who is a classically-trained musician.

Hope you enjoy the interview

How are you doing Tyler? Welcome to YHP

Today. I’m great! lol

Can you give some more information on yourself

Sang in the opera for two years in College.
Play with the fray three times (those shows are what gave me vision for success)

How long have you been singing?

I’ve been singing for 6 years

How many instruments do you play and how long have you been playing them for?

Drums (not good, learned in 6th grade), Keys, Guitar (main instrument), slide guitar (really suck at this)

Who are the biggest musical influences to you?

My recording partner Jeff Hendrick: The guy has a knack for hearing details and I think he tought me most of what I know today. My mom cause she has always encouraged me. I love the Goo Goo dolls. I really enjoy the way Johnny writes his songs.

Also, I’ve got to thank Boyce Avenue for creating a you tube revolution.

How would you describe your style of music?

Pop/Rock/Top40

What venue would you love to perform in and why?

Madison Square Garden. Well…cause it’s Madison Square Garden.

Laughter..cool!

Describe yourself in three words:

Quirky, Swagger, Smiles

Do you write the lyrics for all your song?

I write all the lyrics

What is your favourite song at the moment?

Right this second? (Yes) Cause it changes every day. A song called Doubt – by Eppic

Why and how did you start posting videos on YouTube?

I saw Boyce Avenue’s success and thought I could utilized my studio equipment to start doing the same thing they did, but with a less serious attitude and involve a whole lot more people!

The internet has become an important vehicle for many musicians. How are you leveraging this resource and what are your thoughts on music piracy?

ITunes is my main source of income so I’m not a huge fan of music piracy. However, my opinion is not going to stop people from doing it. If a fan likes me, I just hope they don’t know how to illegally download music. Lol.

What have been the key lessons you’ve learnt so far as a music artist?

To stay at it, no matter what. I’ve also learned that I’m am very very fortunate to have music be my full time job, and I’m thankful for that every day

What would you say has been your most memorable experience so far?

Playing in front of a sold out arena show with the Fray!

What can you say to any singer out trying to make it big?

The more you create, the better and more creative you become.

What should we be expecting from you in the future?

A short EP in a few months and a Full length Album in 2011…I’m very excited about the full length, we have some big names working on this one!!

Thanks for the time, Tyler..I wish you the best of lucks.

Don’t forget to check out our sponsor: QuickLingo
Quick Lingo is a professional translation and interpretation service provider to the corporate community and public sector.

Today, i have an amazing pianist, who started as a 10 years old playing soundtracks from the Lion King, Which all started when his Grandmother gave him a keyboard for Christmas.

David Sides takes us through memory lane and his journey so far as a pianist, i suggest you read what he has to say, I’m sure you will find it inspiring in some ways.

I would like to thank Tony Nguyen for making this interview possible.

Hope you enjoy the interview.

Hello David, Thanks a bunch for doing this, how are you feeling today?

Thanks for the opportunity, I’m feeling well, just a little sore from my workout yesterday. I’m trying to keep in shape.

Many give up playing a musical instrument in their youth, but few return, let alone to forge a career. Can you describe discovering not only your talent for, but also your passion for music and the ways in which music has impacted your life both tangibly and intangibly?

Well I discovered my talent at a young age, like most musicians. I was about 10 when I got started on the piano, but I didn’t really consider my ability to piece music together a “talent” until people around me told me it was a talent.

I figured if I could learn to play the piano, anyone could, so I didn’t really see the big deal about it initially. I’ve always had a love for music and the sound of the piano. Now days especially, music is my life. I also accredit my optimism to music. There’s just a special feeling that comes with music that keeps me optimistic about life when I listen to it.

Who were some of the significant musical influences from your youth?

Well when I was younger and just got started on the piano, I listened to a lot of music from The Lion King soundtrack, which featured Elton John. One of the first songs I learned, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” was the version he recorded for the soundtrack. I also listened to classical music from Bach and Beethoven. My parents were positive musical influences as well. I come from a very musical family.

Would have imagined your career so far from the time your Grandmother gave you that keyboard during Christmas?

Actually, I never saw any of this coming. I never really took music serious enough to want to form a career out of it until I was older. At a younger age, I saw playing the piano as more of a hobby than anything else, just something I liked doing whenever I could.

Going down memory lane, you said you’ve been playing since you were 10 and were inspired from The Lion King movie soundtrack, please explain, what made you as a 10 years old connect to that particular track?

Looking back on those days, I realize that I always had an understanding and a love for harmonies. Although I didn’t know what “harmonies” were at that time, I recognized them and fell in love with them instantly. I love the sound of choirs and collective voices, and those were prevalent all throughout that movie’s score.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To always pray for and about things.

They must have been days you probably felt like things weren’t working out, what or who gave you that believe to keep going on?

You know what? I always felt optimistic about things in my life, so I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever had that feeling.

What inspires you to play music?

The love for the sound, the ability to connect with music, and the positive inspirational influence that comes with making music are what inspire me to play music.

What have you sacrificed for your art? Is it/was it worth it?

I think the thing I’ve had to sacrifice the most for my art has been a social life. Music definitely keeps me busy and demands a lot of my time, so being able to step away from projects and just go out and do a lot of things that most people my age do doesn’t come around too often for me. And yes, I feel it’s worth it.

Do you feel sacrifice is a part of become an artist or a musician, is it something anyone looking to become a successful musician have to go through or have in mind?

Yes.

What has been your greatest challenge?

Now days? Trying to balance everything that I have to take care of so that I’m making the most of my time and being efficient in all of my projects.

Is there something you would change if you could turn back the hands of time?

Actually no. I believe that everything happens for a reason, so I’m where I am now because of everything that’s happened in my past, and I have no complaints.

There’s been a marked shift in commercial thinking in recent decades away from making what people want, to making people want what is being sold. With art being both a form of self expression and a source of commercial profit, how do you balance creating music for your tastes with catering to the market’s?

I try not to think too much about that. When it comes to making music and songs that I choose to cover, I try to just stick to what I like. I figure, if I like it, I’m sure others with similar taste will like it as well and ultimately music is for them. I try to give people what they want, through what I want… Does that make sense?

Of course, i get what you mean.

How do you feel about listening to your own musical recordings?

Honestly, I like them, but I can’t listen to them for too long after I’ve recorded it on Youtube or on a CD. It’s a little like asking an artist how they feel about singing or listening to a song they’ve had to perform for the past 10 years while on tour. Eventually you get to a point where you’d rather not listen to it as often.

A lot of pianists I spoke to, make analogies between their pianism and singing. Do you sing along with the music, or hold the intention of creating a “singing line.”

Oh no, I don’t sing along with the music. I create a “singing line.”

What are your strengths, and are there places where you’re still striving to communicate or achieve something? Where would you like to see improvement? I’m asking for criticism/self-criticism here.

I’ve been told that I’m pretty good at capturing the little intricacies from the songs that I cover and include them into my renditions. Over time, I’ve also gotten pretty decent at learning songs quickly. In terms of improvement, I would love to get faster at getting songs perfected, and I could use a lot of work in sight reading. I’m not too good at that.

How do you balance the balance between down time and performing time?

That is a constant struggle. I am somewhat of a workaholic, so I’m always looking to work on music. I just feel like there is a lot to be done so there’s no time to stop grinding. My family and friends have been trying to talk me into scheduling in some down time so I’ve been trying to do that on weekends. So far it’s been working well.

What can people ultimately get from music?

I think that above all, music gives people a sense of inspiration and sense of community unbound by geographical borders.

What advice would you give to a young musician?

Practice, practice, practice, and be yourself. I think that a lot of people fall into the mistake of trying to be like this person or that person. No matter what you do, even outside of music, be yourself.

What are your thoughts about your future in music?

I am very optimistic about my life, especially when it comes to music, so I am looking forward to a very successful and bright future.

Thanks for your time David.

My pleasure.

Sunny has a rare gift called “perfect pitch” and this talent allows her to play almost any musical selection that she hears without the aid of written music.

I had the opportunity to speak with her on her journey so far.

Hope you enjoy the interview and hope it inspires you in some way!

I would like to thank Alexander for making this interview possible.

Hey Sunny, Thanks for coming on YHP today, how are you doing?

I’m well, thank you. We’re happy to be chatting with YHP today.

Most pianists have favorite composers. Who are yours?

One of my favorites is Chopin for his ability to craft a beautiful piano melody and then surround it with flourish-filled ornamentation that always augments rather than detracts.

How did you know, when did you get that feeling that is what i am meant to be doing?

My business partner and I always knew that we wanted to be the best at whatever we were engaged in. Working to find your talent, passion, and putting in consistent hard work is a lifelong pursuit. Music is something we both love and are passionate about. We now strive to take our raw talent and put in the hard work necessary to take it to the next level.

When you go out on stage, do you set any goals for yourself?

Simply put, execute at the highest level. We’ve put in the hard work, now it’s time to execute at the highest level to engage and engross the audience in the music and most importantly, connect with them.

How much does the audience itself affect your playing?

Music is a performing art that is always best when it is shared. Other’s shared their music with us and we share ours with the world. The audience deserves our utmost commitment to both the music and the visual performance and their energy and passion is inspiring.

How supportive have your parents been in your musical development?

My parents started me in music at a very young age, both of my parents are musical and our home was always filled with music. Like many parents, they have had concerns about the viability of a music career, but it is out of normal parental concern. They’ll come around fully when we reach our goals.

Do you think coming to Canada helped your musical career?

Yes of course! In Canada I met my partner and together we have built my career from the ground up. The accepting society is very helpful in allowing artists to pursue their own unique talents and while I will always love my home country of South Korea, I am a very proud Canadian.

At what age did you realise that you could play by ear?

This is a good question. Until I came to Canada I didn’t even realize that I had perfect pitch. While working together with my partner I discovered that I had perfect pitch. Before that I thought it was something that all musician had. This was in my early teens.

Piano is not something, you wake up in the morning and boom, you’ve mastered, how did you practice, what would you say was your special technique for practicing?

As a child and teen I took formal piano lessons and have completed my ARCT, which is the highest performance certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

These days it is all practice and passion. These two when joined with talent is the way that we’ve gotten this far and we will continue to work even harder in the future to improve as musicians and business people.

In your opinion how has technology, especially the internet, changed the landscape of music education in recent years and where do you see it headed in the future?

Communication is global and information is incredibly accessible. This means that music lessons can be delivered remotely and video tutorials are just a click away. In the future, much like now, virtual music lessons will be ‘on demand’ and cater completely to the pace of learning, schedule, and unique desired aims of each student.

What has been your most memorable moment so far?

We’re blessed to have memorable moments daily. With tens of thousand of views every day via our YouTube channels and Facebook fans page we receive touching stories and messages on a daily basis. Over the past few weeks we have visited many local schools to speak to students about passion, talent and hard work. I will always cherish and remember the overwhelming reaction of these amazing students. If these schools are any indication, the future is in good hands.

What do you do when you’re not doing music?

We work up to 100 hours a week, but during downtime I enjoy watching basketball, shopping, reading, spending time with family, and, of course, listening to new music.

What advice do you have for people who are just starting to learn piano?

Practice hard and play passionately. Find a teacher that you are comfortable with and most importantly, have fun!

So what’s next for you, what should we be expecting?

We are expanding our performances to include all of North America and have two recording projects in development. Fans should expect album release information via our Facebook fan page found at www.facebook.com/SunnyChoiMusic in the upcoming weeks and months. YHP is the first to know this… we have named the new album and are working on concepts for a music video to support the forthcoming single.

Aaah thanks, that’s great!

Great to have you sunny, Good luck and hope to chat with you soon.