I have had the honor to meet Marc while I was in LA. He is a true aspiring music who can put you in a state of wonder. His voice is very tender and soft and his words completely make you think about life. Marc’s connection to the guitar is simply amazing, because his skills and chord playing are smooth and emotional. I took some time to ask him a few questions and get his view on things in his life. I love his music, and I know you will too. This is my ARTIST OF THE WEEK!

1. Where are you from? What is your age?

I am from Redlands, California. I am 25.

2. When did you begin your music career?

I began to sing at the age of 2 in church. I have been singing since I can remember, and I play the guitar.

3. Where do you perform?

I perform at the Santa Monica Pier.

4. What is your favorite place to perform?

My favorite place to sing is at the beach. I have always wanted to sing and be able to go on tour and open up for Nora Jones or Brian McKnight.

5. What is your style of music?

My style of music is closely identified with the blues.

6. What has been the most challenging experience being an up and coming artist?

The most challenging experience for me is having the courage to perform my music like I feel my music.

7. What has been the hardest time in your life?

8. What schools did you go to?

I went to California State San Bernardino where I studied music.

9. What is your targeting audience?

I want to influence kids around the world.

10. What message do you give in your music?

11. What is your advice to an up and coming artist?

Familiarize yourself with yourself.

12. What do you value most in life?

You know the answer to that, MUSIC. :)                

Album due out soon!!!!!

Please Check out his music at    www.myspace.com/marcfindstheblues

Photos thanks to Amarie Darvai and Christopher Cody

Darvai.de.Cody.Photography@gmail.com

]]> http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/29/artist-of-the-week-marc-armstead/feed/ 0 http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/25/miss-amani/ http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/25/miss-amani/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:59:09 +0000 Luxi Lauri http://meandthestereo.wordpress.com/?p=647

If you like the sounds of Janet Jackson, Amerie, or Rihanna, than you’ll love the music of this up and coming artist, Miss Amani. She is a very energetic performer with a promising music career ahead of her. She is 21 years old, comes from Honolulu, Hawaii and has settled, for the time being, in Los Angeles, California.

I had the wonderful opportunity of seeing Miss Amani perform at Club Element in Los Angeles, California. I didn’t know what to expect, because I had never heard of this artist before. The lights were dark and all of a sudden, POW! The music comes on and she is cat walking down the stage. Her dance steps were so fierce and versatile that I lost focus of what she was singing; never the less I came back into sync with everything.

She has two dancers in all black executing all of the moves to the songs. This trio was tearing up the stage and the crowd was going wild. The dance steps were brilliantly choreographed by MidNite of MidNite Productions. There came a part in her second song where she did a quick outfit change, removing her hat and shirt, revealing a glittery short jump suit with high stilettos. This was another key element to her performance. Whether you knew her songs or not, you could not help but move your body to the words and rhythms of her music. This artist was the best performer of the night. The act that followed her did not engage the crowd and certainly did not have half of the energy Miss Amani displayed.

It takes a lot of skilled coordination between dancing and singing and I believe Miss Amani is well on her way to mastering these techniques. She had amazing stage presence, stamina, and you could tell that she simply loves her job. I was glad that I made it to Club Element, which was the first club I had ever been to in LA, and it was well worth it after seeing this great artist perform.

It won’t be long before you hear the sounds of Miss Amani on the radio as well as seeing her albums in stores.

Check out her myspace page: www.myspace.com/amanisoul

Check Miss Amani out performing live at the Ultra Shore Lounge in Long Beach, California:

It doesn’t take a lot to get your street gig going. On Hollywood Blvd, the street where the famous walk of fame lies, you need a costume of your favorite actor and need to possess the ability to quote lines from that actor’s movies.  Similar gestures and accents from the original movies are needed to make the character come to life. I have seen many performers come up to families taking pictures and showing them a good time, and in return, they receive a donation.  Many of these performers start out at dawn and end at dusk, “Captain Jack Sparrow” once told me that he made $300 in one day. Not bad for a day’s work.

A lot of performers also do their acts at the promenade on 3^rd street and at the Santa Monica Pier. These are beautiful places where tourists as well as native Californians go to enjoy themselves.  The musicians who play there come with an amp, a microphone, an instrument, a jar for donations and an amazing ability to connect with the audience.  Most of the artists have recorded an album, so they are able to get their music out there and build a following. The weather is mostly beautiful, so I am sure they don’t have a problem drawing a crowd.