Singer

Meet Marika Rauscher, award winning Opera singer and Vocal coach.

18th May 2022 — Leave a comment
Marika Rauscher

Being a singer is so much more than having a stable voice. It takes drive, it takes soul searching and sacrifice. Sometimes you have to delay your dreams to be capable of chasing them. Marika was brought up to understand classical training but was exposed to all sorts of music adding to her extensive list of musical experience. But this wasn’t enough for prestigious establishments to recognize her.

After a lot of arduous work doing hours temping and feeling over worked, she would pick up auditions, rehearsing lines in a language she didn’t understand on her lunch break. Rejection pained her, she believed she was good enough, she had the talent she had trained. She then realized she had to make a choice, choose practicality or fantasy. A sacrifice had to be made. She settled on a compromise; she would work until she had enough to afford a year of rent without working. This allowed her to leave the corporate world and focus on her singing, making her fantasy an achievable reality. This mindset has landed her roles singing for the Royal opera house, the Royal Albert hall, and the Barbican.

Marika’s Youtube channel

Her story shows if you have the drive and the patience you can make it. Too many people quit something because they do not feel instantly validated by it. Things take time. If you have a more direct role in your hobby you will make it work for you, you will make yourself work for it. Play the trumpet for an hour a day and at the end of the week play it as though you are trying to teach it to somebody else, sing to yourself in the mirror, record it, sing to your friends get their reactions. Each day expand your comfort zone. It will be hard, there will be struggle but sometimes you have to fight with your demons to dance with the angels.

It was inspiring to speak to her in my podcast episode where Marika shares her story as well as answering your questions and sharing some tips on how to improve your vocal range.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2llj5u818r1K9SuZGgeZmu?si=5fa318d529474018

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If you want to do a podcast episode or have a blog post then get in touch!

Meet Kelly Gelder and discover the power of music

15th Apr 2022 — Leave a comment
Kelly Gelder taken by Mollie Higgins.

Do you dream of revisiting earlier times, find yourself reminiscing over those final goodbyes and still blushing at that first kiss? Certain songs take us there, back to the arms of lovers no longer with us, back to the laughter of a youthful friendships, or even back to your first nights out, although when you find a song strong enough for you to recall what happens on dirty dancefloors let me know.

We’ve all had Deja vu, a fleeting scent of an old teacher’s perfume, the burning rubber of our childhood playground but music is different. Kelly Gelder describes it as a time capsule, powerful enough to evoke tears that leave you smiling once the song fades out. 

In my podcast episode ,with Kelly, we discuss the intensity of sound, pop/punk icons such as Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne as well as some sound advice to aspiring artists.Listen to it here.

Kelly recalls an emotional piece that poured out of her once she sat at her piano.With no preparation or plan a song that left her sobbing flew out of her, the words, the melody and structure cascading from her fingertips. A sign of true talent, proving you do not always need to sweat for hours restricting yourself to a routine to produce something, you can not restrain creativity.

EVOLVE MUSIC Podcast

Her love for music was consolidated when she was eight and her father surprised her with a trip to see Avril Lavigne, adorned with in Claire’s accessories finest, the neon pink hair extensions and fingerless net gloves (We have all been there), she was inspired to learn the drums. Now studying classical music at University, she teaches piano as well as practising new songs for three hours a day.

All that and she’s preparing for an upcoming gig on the 22nd of April at the  Primrose Pub in Leeds where she will be supporting The distance UK. It starts at 8pm and tickets are £4 on the door. Kelly will be performing originals as well as covers so make sure you’re there.

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Chrissy Lemonte releases new single Remember My Name?

1st Apr 2022 — Leave a comment

Chrissy Lemonte is a London born independent singer-songwriter who came to prominence in the UK top 40 Charts with the MOBO nominee girl band ‘Asia Blue’, with one single being the Radio 1 Breakfast Show track of the week. 

Chrissy became a solo artist opening at Ronnie Scotts for Beverley Knight.  Her singing career began in her family home when at the age of 7 she would write songs to then sing wand perform with her five sisters. This talented family became known as ‘The Mohabir Sisters’ internationally. 

Her musical style is primarily NeoSoul/R&B with strong harmonies this track particularly echoes her Jazz, Soul and Gospel influences.  Chrissy has worked with world renowned producers such as George Duke, Mike Peden, Sheridan Tongue, Andrew Franklin and many others,  She was signed by A&M Records in the UK and PRA Records for the USA.  

Remember My Name

With this latest single release, “Remember My Name?” from the upcoming EP, written by Chrissy Lemonte and produced by her and Carlton Romillie, Chrissy challenges prejudice with powerful lyrics like ‘see past my hair, my skin my dress, believe my words and praise my intellect’. “Remember My Name?” demands a response and stirs emotions and memories of ones who may have done us wrong in the past. in this raw bluesy ballad Chrissy tells it how to as with brutal lyricism wrapped up in soulful licks and rich harmonies.

The sound embraces past pain, warping into armor, empowered by the scars of the past, reminding us that through reflection and resolution we can all be stronger.