Learning to Fight Blog - Round 1!

Ding Ding!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages: WELCOME to the 1st installment of my Learning To Fight blog!

(For those who've read my bio, skip this part..)
My name is Dana Jean Phoenix. I'm a singer from Canada. I've been singing my whole life. Michael Jackson was and is my biggest musical Inspiration (but not my only inspiration). What you are about to read is the 1st Round of my training to becoming a heavyweight singing champion. ENJOY! (By the way, read my bio on my homepage ;)

I've just completed my DEBUT EP entitled, "Learning To Fight" and it's been one hell of a ride to get to this point. Let's start with the training:

Everybody always rags on Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady GAGA.. all these POP chicks. I used to do it too - I aint gon' lie! It's so easy to stand back complain, hate, and scoff, "Pftt..I would never be a singer like that!".... YES, complaining is the EASY PART. What is not so easy is committing dreams to actual goals and doing the work that is involved with making that dream a reality. These women had dreams, and followed through on making those dreams a reality with a lot of work and sacrifice.

Having a Debut anything has always been a dream of mine - and though I did not expect it to just magically transpire, I was not prepared for the amount of WORK and discipline required to make that dream a reality.

Questions like:
'Who is Dana Jean Phoenix and what sets her apart?"

"Well.. umm.. I know I can sing.. I'm like, blonde and super short!!"

Okay.. well, how many short blonde chicks who can sing are out there? What about me is going to get people noticing?

'What about your live performance makes you stand out?'

If singing behind a microphone stand with a cool hairdo and a nice dress & heels is the response.. then how does that make your live performance unique and captivating?

'What do your outfits both in photos, and onstage convey about who you are?'

Again, a cute dress may not give a strong enough message about who you are - and why you are unique. Why would people take notice if nothing about you stands out?

In order to make this album a reality, I've had to make difficult decisions as to how I will set myself apart - and then ACT on those decisions.

When writing lyrics, I've had to think about how to write in a way that is catchy and will grab people, without being the standard 'I love you, but you treat me so mean.'

I've been watching DVD concerts, ad nauseum, of the artists I admire most to see how they keep the crowd excited and engaged. You watch a DVD of Madonna concert, and there is never a dull moment. Her outfits, her movement, her banter are not only cohesive and conveying a strong message, but also keep the crowd excited and in awe.

So, how do I apply this to myself? How do I be a Madonna, without being Madonna. How do I make it so that when people scoff at me, they’re scoffing because they don’t understand the real hard work that’s involved. This is one aspect of what I’ve been up to make my dreams come true. ....

Learning to Fight!

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!!!!!!

[EP Available October 2009]