Hey guys,

Guess whaaatttt?? It’s “Back to the Basics” of performance time! I named this blog post after the Billy Bragg collection… get it? Ha ha, it’s cute right?……….

No?   Ok…….

who is Billy Bragg anyway, right?…… :*(

Homies, a lot of bands and artists ask me to go see them live, which is super cool. You all know how I love live music. I try to go to gigs whenever I can. You could be singing Whitney Houston “I Will Survive,” dancing the “Y.M.C.A.,” playing like Muddy Waters, performing your own original songs or doing covers! I don’t care, I love it all.

However, after the gig I almost always get the question that I love AND dread.… dun dun dun….

  Bands ask me: “How was I on stage?” “How can I improve?”

This seems like a simple question right?… I could give you a high-five and tell you your performance was awesome!……… but the reality is,

Asking me how your performance was is NOT a casual question for me! Sometimes it makes me feel like I’m about to break out into (The) Hives!! In fact, it’s one of the hardest question for me to answer.

Why? because I get super excited after seeing anyone live and it’s hard for me to say all that I would like to say within two minutes after seeing a band perform.

I usually end up spilling my guts like an idiot because I have so much to say, or I stand there all weird and say nothing so I don’t spill my guts like an idiot……

ME ^^^^^^

So, to avoid my own self-embarrassment/word vomit at the next gig you invite me to, I am writing you this post. Now, I can give you a high-five and say “rad gig” like a normal human being…

Now that we are on our way, the first thing I would like to tell you is that a live gig is not an ideal place to get live performance coaching.

WHERE TO GET LIVE PERFORMANCE COACHING:
Usually, the best place to get live performance coaching is in your own rehearsal space. That’s right! Have someone come to your personal rehearsal space. For example, your rehearsal space may be your bedroom (like me because I’m terrified to step on a stage), your bathroom – like Linda Perry (she has a grand piano in her bathroom, how legit is that?!), a rented rehearsal space or whatever it may be!! Just make sure its a place where you feel comfortable.

Next, put on a great show for the person you invite, whether it’s your friend, manager, cousin, gf/bf, A&R rep or whomever – make sure your performance is stellar! Just like you put on a play for Mom and Dad when you were a kid!!!(don’t deny it, we all know you did it). Make sure the person is someone you can trust. Then, perform ONE SONG for them.

Perform the song ONCE and make sure it’s the best performance of your life!…and then ask their opinion on EVERYTHING in that song….. and I mean, everything.. literally dudes, everything: from the song lyrics, to your style, your pronunciation, your tone, your voice, every guitar lick, every rhythmic strum, every chord, every drum roll, every bass pluck, slap, mute, your fretting…. and so on!!!

Take that criticism and listen  carefully. Apply what you’ve learned and then ask someone else!

Wash. Rinse and Repeat… and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

It’s a long process, but the more opinions you get, the more you are able to filter out other people’s opinions. Then, you can make your OWN judgements about your music and find your “true artistic self.” 

PHEW, get what I mean? That’s a mouthful. How do I tell you that in two minutes after a gig!?!? I can’t, it’s insanity and I end up sounding like I should be in a ward:

Now that you have my thoughts on where to get performance criticism and coaching. Here is my very condensed and very general interpretation of live music performance:

A live performance is about finding the balance between two ostensibly impossible things: vulnerability and control.

VULNERABILITY

Music is about exposing yourself to the audience. Put  your heart on your sleeve (for real dudes). Make your audience understand where you are coming from. Feel that moment so hard you feel like you got kicked in the gut, sing so hard you’ve shattered the mic, articulate every lyric (or don’t and slur like Tim Armstrong from Rancid if that’s your thing) and make sure the audience understands every note you’ve written. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing in a dive bar or a stadium. BE Confident and BE Yourself.

CONTROL

At the same time, you need to zoom out and have a birdseye/helicopter view of yourself on stage. Slow the moment down in your head. Understand EVERYTHING about your instrument  (be it your instrument is your voice, a guitar, a horn, a kazoo, a box – whatever!!) and PERFECT your craft!

Be aware of yourself and ALSO other members in the band, each have different skills to help support the band in its entirety. Watch your OWN videos and read your body language.  See how the crowd reacts to what you do on stage. For example, repeat spontaneous moments that elicit responses from the crowd.

Most importantly….. OWN (PWN) THAT STAGE!!!

Finally, be aware of your audience! Don’t play death metal if you are performing to grandmas at a Lion’s Club event. Even if you are a death metal band… mmmmk?

Just don’t do it…

I know it’s tempting as all hell (I would totally do it) – but don’t alienate your audience!!

Try death metal, unplugged – acoustic style!

Whether you’re strutting like Mick Jagger (OMG, did you know that Tina Turner taught Mick Jagger how to strut!?), shakin’ it like Tina Turner (Tina is 70 years old in this video!! CLICK), playin’ the keys like Elton or Billy Joel, strumming very still and projecting emotion like Brody Dalle, destroying the stage like Eminem, or having a very quiet, private moment with your audience like Beyonce…..

REMEMBER the key is the balance between: Vulnerability (your independent thoughts feelings, style, lyrics, being yourself) and Control (self-awareness, audience awareness, instrument technique, band awareness).

It’s a lot of work, but you’ll see results! I know it’s rough out there, but don’t be discouraged!

Peace and Love,

Executive Producer, Daniela Oliva

P.S. If you are really interested in improving your performance and need more guidance from the ground up. I recommend checking out Tom Jackson’s live performance 7 DVDs set called “All Roads Lead to the Stage” – they are expensive but comprehensive and include everything for every kind of performer… I have a set myself! OR if you don’t have the extra cash to spend, you can learn just as much by watching the classic icons of OUR/YOUR TIME: Madonna, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, RUSH, Jay-Z, Eminem, Beyonce, Blink 182, whatever floats your boat! The more you delve, the more you discover, the more you’ll learn.

Michael Jackson was found in full cardiac arrest at a home he was renting in Los Angeles. He was brought to UCLA medical center around 12:30pm today, they were unable to revive him and he slipped into a deep coma. Michael Jackson was then confirmed dead at 50. His mother and Latoya Jackson are currently reported on site.

It’s a Sad Day.