Last week I had the honor of singing the Canadian and US national anthems at the final Toronto Blue Jays game (versus the Angels) at the Rogers center (formerly the Skydome) in Toronto. It was a surreal experience and I was pretty nervous because there has been a rash of national anthem malfunctions from some pretty high profile singers. The thing that was great about it was that I was able to embrace that nervousness and use all of the skills I have been developing over the last three years. I went into my brand for more inspiration - who is Dana Jean Phoenix?! As a singer I also focused on what I was wearing. What did my outfit say to the people in the stands? Now, I know that I could have just worn a nice black dress, but I knew that I would be on the Jumbotron and I wanted to make sure that the image on there backed my vocals. I had to remain Dana Jean Phoenix. So when you have an opportunity to do what you do, remember that your brand is not just what you do, but how you present what you do:)
Enjoy!
xoxoDJP
Oct 3, 2011
Jun 11, 2011
The 5th Installment of my Toronto OPEN MIC SERIES!!!!
Here's my interview with Jennifer (Jeni) Walls: Co-Host of SINGular Sensation Mondays: A Musical Theatre Open Mic Night! @ Statlers, a weekly cabaret style musical theatre musicfest filled with great singers, an awesome crowd, good vibes , and accompanied by the always amazing Donavon LeNabat at the piano! . Held at Statlers (Lounge) - 487 Church St. Toronto, ON. Bring your sheet music and come belt out your favourite Broadway tunes or try out a new audition song over drinks with friends!! Performer friendly - No Cover!
And peep Jeni Walls as part of StarChild X (album coming soon): www.starchildx.com
The Statlers website: http://statlersonchurch.ca/entertainers-and-staff.html
(Don't) Break-a-leg!!!
And peep Jeni Walls as part of StarChild X (album coming soon): www.starchildx.com
The Statlers website: http://statlersonchurch.ca/entertainers-and-staff.html
(Don't) Break-a-leg!!!
May 18, 2011
The 4th Installment of my Toronto OPEN MIC SERIES!!!!
Here's my interview with Donavon LeNabat: Host and Player @ Statlers on Thursday night, a weekly cabaret style musicfest filled with great singers, an awesome crowd, and good vibes with Donavon brings the fun times vocally and on the piano held at Statlers (Lounge ) - 487 Church St. Toronto, ON. Although not officially billed as an open mic, singers from all genres: musical theatre to classical to pop diva's - should bring your sheet music, performance style, and hot vox if you wanna get on stage. Contacting Donavon in advance is a good thing too:
http://lenabat.com/
The Statlers website: http://statlersonchurch.ca/entertainers-and-staff.html
Swing through for a good time!
http://lenabat.com/
The Statlers website: http://statlersonchurch.ca/entertainers-and-staff.html
Swing through for a good time!
May 2, 2011
The 3rd Installment of my Toronto OPEN MIC SERIES!!!
Here's my interview with Chris Tsujiuchi: Host and Player @ Statlers on Tuesday night, a weekly cabaret style musicfest filled with great singers, an awesome crowd, and good vibes with Chris holding it down vocally and on the piano held at Statlers (Lounge ) - 487 Church St. Toronto, ON. Although not billed as an open mic, singers from musical theatre to classical to pop diva's should bring their sheet music, performance swagger, and chops if you wanna get on stage. Contacting Chris in advance is a good thing too: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisTsujiuchi
The Statlers website: http://statlersonchurch.ca/entertainers-and-staff.html
Come on out to get down!
The Statlers website: http://statlersonchurch.ca/entertainers-and-staff.html
Come on out to get down!
Apr 15, 2011
The 2nd Installment of my Toronto OPEN MIC SERIES
You all know how I feel about Open Mics... THEY ARE SO AWESOME!!
As promised here is the second installment of my Toronto Open Mic Series: with the One and Only Carolyn T who is the Host and Creator of the Monday Open Jam at Harlem Restaurant in downtown Toronto. (67 Richmond Street E).
Check the vidja!!
ENJOY and HAPPY SINGING :)
xoxoDJP
As promised here is the second installment of my Toronto Open Mic Series: with the One and Only Carolyn T who is the Host and Creator of the Monday Open Jam at Harlem Restaurant in downtown Toronto. (67 Richmond Street E).
Check the vidja!!
ENJOY and HAPPY SINGING :)
xoxoDJP
Mar 14, 2011
AUDITIONS (eek!!) Overcoming Those Nerves!
Auditions (eek!!) are perhaps the scariest thing on the planet for most performers. Bearing your heart and soul to a panel of stone-faced (much of the time) is not an ideal performance situation for any actor, singer, dancer etc... But most performers have to face them at some point (if not every day) in their careers, and the most difficult task is often just to simply combat those dang nerves! Even though my heart still races at every single audition I encounter, I can remember a time when my body would just seize up and I thought I couldn’t go through with it, I was so nervous. I remember when I heard a director (who had worked with such big names as: Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, and Mike Myers) told me that ‘EVERYONE, even these big stars get nervous before an audition – I’ve seen firsthand - but it’s how they’ve learned to deal with those nerves that makes the difference.’
Different things work for different people. I’ve found taking deep controlled breaths will help calm the shaking and repeating mantras like ‘Okay Nerves - you can come for the ride but I’VE got control of the steering wheel’ will help get you focused and keep YOU in control. Basic things like: upright posture, confident walk, warm smile, and strong voice will help cement making a strong impression. Above all – know your worth and believe in your own talent. Your self-confidence will stand out. And know that you’re not alone! You may not always be exactly what they’re looking for at that time, but a strong and positive impression can last a lifetime – and you never know what other doors it can lead to.
Check out this great article in overcoming nerves before an audition!!
http://www.suite101.com/content/audition-tips-for-actors-a127564
Different things work for different people. I’ve found taking deep controlled breaths will help calm the shaking and repeating mantras like ‘Okay Nerves - you can come for the ride but I’VE got control of the steering wheel’ will help get you focused and keep YOU in control. Basic things like: upright posture, confident walk, warm smile, and strong voice will help cement making a strong impression. Above all – know your worth and believe in your own talent. Your self-confidence will stand out. And know that you’re not alone! You may not always be exactly what they’re looking for at that time, but a strong and positive impression can last a lifetime – and you never know what other doors it can lead to.
Check out this great article in overcoming nerves before an audition!!
http://www.suite101.com/content/audition-tips-for-actors-a127564
Mar 7, 2011
DJP OPEN MIC INTERVIEW SERIES!!!
DJP OPEN MIC INTERVIEW SERIES!!!
OPEN MICS!!! I’m crazy about ‘em!!! ☺ and Toronto is chalk full of AWESOME open mic nights for singers and performers to get their groove on. I owe so much to open mic nights as they helped me to break into the Toronto music scene and always continue to help me develop my stage chops, practice working a real crowd, and allow me to take big risks and try out new things! Not to mention all the networking capabilities! I often wonder why I don’t see more performers completely taking advantage of them, but then I thought, “Maybe people just don’t know about them.”
So, I’ve decided to do a Youtube Open Mic Interview Series, to start to get the word out on these awesome opportunities to play! My first interview is of Jill Léger, the host and creator of ‘Jill’s Living Room’: a monthly open cabaret night and a safe place for singers to try out new songs, or prepare for an upcoming audition. It’s held right downtown at the Second City Training Center (70 Peter St.), and features some of the industry’s best piano accompanists. Check out “Jill’s Living Room”s Facebook Page
And check the interview below:
Rate/Subscribe/Comment while you’re there and ENJOY! Perhaps I’ll see YOU at the next ‘Jill’s Living Room’.
xoxoxoDJP
OPEN MICS!!! I’m crazy about ‘em!!! ☺ and Toronto is chalk full of AWESOME open mic nights for singers and performers to get their groove on. I owe so much to open mic nights as they helped me to break into the Toronto music scene and always continue to help me develop my stage chops, practice working a real crowd, and allow me to take big risks and try out new things! Not to mention all the networking capabilities! I often wonder why I don’t see more performers completely taking advantage of them, but then I thought, “Maybe people just don’t know about them.”
So, I’ve decided to do a Youtube Open Mic Interview Series, to start to get the word out on these awesome opportunities to play! My first interview is of Jill Léger, the host and creator of ‘Jill’s Living Room’: a monthly open cabaret night and a safe place for singers to try out new songs, or prepare for an upcoming audition. It’s held right downtown at the Second City Training Center (70 Peter St.), and features some of the industry’s best piano accompanists. Check out “Jill’s Living Room”s Facebook Page
And check the interview below:
Rate/Subscribe/Comment while you’re there and ENJOY! Perhaps I’ll see YOU at the next ‘Jill’s Living Room’.
xoxoxoDJP
Feb 21, 2011
Having A 5 Year Plan!
Having A Five Year Plan!
Sometimes, things don’t always work out the way you plan them – but if you’re an independent artists trying to make your mark on the biz, you can’t just go about your business willy-nilly and hope that someday the music business fairy is going to leave a record contract under your pillow. You have to have a plan!
I once heard in a podcast about the music industry, that people who write out a concrete plan are around 80% more likely to become successful. In sitting down, and forcing yourself to envision where you want to be in 5 years, (then where you want to be in 1 year, and each subsequent year after that) and formulating a step-by-step plan as to how you will achieve that vision, will help you to organize it in your head and live it out.
I remember writing out my 5 year plan a year ago, and as painstaking as it was, I look back on it and can’t believe all the things I accomplished last year that I hoped I would. Now, plans change, so it’s also important to keep in mind that your plan has to be malleable, and as different opportunities come up, you will need to change your plan accordingly. Today I had to sit down and re-edit my 5 year plan because so many new variables have popped up that I didn’t anticipate.
When writing your plan – be specific. If part of the immediate plan is to ‘do cardio for 30 minutes, 3 times a week’, then what’s the overall goal? Is it ‘To be a dress size smaller in 2 months.’? or ‘To perform a 45 minute set at a club without getting out of breath.’?
Here’s an article that helped me in writing down my 5 year plan: http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
Hope it helps you too! Happy planning ☺
xoDJP
Sometimes, things don’t always work out the way you plan them – but if you’re an independent artists trying to make your mark on the biz, you can’t just go about your business willy-nilly and hope that someday the music business fairy is going to leave a record contract under your pillow. You have to have a plan!
I once heard in a podcast about the music industry, that people who write out a concrete plan are around 80% more likely to become successful. In sitting down, and forcing yourself to envision where you want to be in 5 years, (then where you want to be in 1 year, and each subsequent year after that) and formulating a step-by-step plan as to how you will achieve that vision, will help you to organize it in your head and live it out.
I remember writing out my 5 year plan a year ago, and as painstaking as it was, I look back on it and can’t believe all the things I accomplished last year that I hoped I would. Now, plans change, so it’s also important to keep in mind that your plan has to be malleable, and as different opportunities come up, you will need to change your plan accordingly. Today I had to sit down and re-edit my 5 year plan because so many new variables have popped up that I didn’t anticipate.
When writing your plan – be specific. If part of the immediate plan is to ‘do cardio for 30 minutes, 3 times a week’, then what’s the overall goal? Is it ‘To be a dress size smaller in 2 months.’? or ‘To perform a 45 minute set at a club without getting out of breath.’?
Here’s an article that helped me in writing down my 5 year plan: http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
Hope it helps you too! Happy planning ☺
xoDJP
Feb 2, 2011
Sometimes I Get Down (Ways To Self-Motivate)
Hi, I am Dana Jean Phoenix 'The First Lady of NuFunk' and sometimes I get down! There I said it. And that is the first step to not being stuck in a new funk right?!?! Well... yes, and no.
I've always been a pretty optimistic person. I grew up with very loving parents who encouraged me to express myself artistically and believe in what I do. But somewhere between confidently performing in all of my high school plays and releasing my first album I got scared. Frightened that I really couldn't cut it in the 'real world'. That all of my hard work really wouldn't be enough and that people would think I actually sucked! I developed an acute bought of stage fright. I had writers block and I couldn't get out of the funk. To make matters worse my mentor, at the time, made me feel like I was a total sell-out because I wanted to make songs that could get club and radio play. I was stuck, sad, and confused. I started becoming a recluse. I was living on junk food. I stopped going out and started obsessing about my career (or lack thereof). I was spiraling into a deep depression. I was on the cusp of quitting music and retreating into the wonderful world of retail. I tried to deluge myself with positive platitudes: I think I can I think I can! But to no avail. Then I heard about an audition to become a back up singer for the then Canadian queen of R&B, Jully Black. I wasn't going to go, but the last spark of hope in me forced me out the door and into the audition. I was shitting bricks, but I forced myself to stay calm. I fell back into my training, trusted my instincts, and forced myself to excel at the audition, and got the call. Almost the next day I was out on the road and getting ready to tour across the country. And an amazing thing happened as I had to prep a ton of new material, find suitable stage clothes, get my hair did, nails did, change a bunch of shifts at my job, call all of my friends, family, etc... I had absolutely no time for depression. I was waaaaay to busy for that shit!
After that I realized two things: 1) There will always be times when I'm going to feel unmotivated, in a creative rut, and/ or just plain blughck!; 2) When those times occur I have to DO something - eat a well balanced meal (I've prepared myself), get out of the house, go for a run (or the dreaded gym;), go to an open mic (get up and perform a song I've been afraid to do), get off the interweb, go see a show, go to the mall and people watch, list all of the successes of the last year, ANYTHING but wallow!! And I could always use new motivational tips and tidbits, so lemme know what you do to keep the fires stoked;)
Jan 27, 2011
Official Video to my NEW SINGLE, 'I Love To Mingle' is now UP!!!!
Hey Phoe-nites!!!
Whaddya know? Just in time for birfday (this weekend!), the official video to my NEW SINGLE, 'I Love To Mingle', Directed by: PHATT al, is now UP!!!!
I've been working hard on completing my upcoming EP, 'Phoenix Rising' and all I've got to say, is GET READY FOR SOME FI-YAH in 2011!!! Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered and supported the album thus far. As you have read from my previous posts, making an album is an incredible journey of self-discovery that requires a lot of focus and HARD WORK, so now I'm celebrating the start of 2011 with a BANG, with 'I Love To Mingle'. For all my ladies out there - this track is for US, and fellas, you know when there are ladies present, you wanna come party too!
'I Love To Mingle' is available on iTunes NOW! Click here to get it: http://tiny.cc/glwzo
Don't Forget to Rate/Subscribe/Enjoy my youtube channel: DJPTV.
As always thanks for the support:)
Whaddya know? Just in time for birfday (this weekend!), the official video to my NEW SINGLE, 'I Love To Mingle', Directed by: PHATT al, is now UP!!!!
I've been working hard on completing my upcoming EP, 'Phoenix Rising' and all I've got to say, is GET READY FOR SOME FI-YAH in 2011!!! Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered and supported the album thus far. As you have read from my previous posts, making an album is an incredible journey of self-discovery that requires a lot of focus and HARD WORK, so now I'm celebrating the start of 2011 with a BANG, with 'I Love To Mingle'. For all my ladies out there - this track is for US, and fellas, you know when there are ladies present, you wanna come party too!
'I Love To Mingle' is available on iTunes NOW! Click here to get it: http://tiny.cc/glwzo
Don't Forget to Rate/Subscribe/Enjoy my youtube channel: DJPTV.
As always thanks for the support:)
Jan 3, 2011
HAPPY EXTRA SHINEY NEW YEAR EDITION!!!
HAPPY HAPPY 2011, PHOEN-ITES!!!!
Hope everyone had a safe and warm holiday season and rang in the new year with great food, great music, and great friends!!!!
Thanks to everyone for the success of my 'Jingle Bells Rock!' video on my youtube channel (www.youtube.com/danajeanphoenix). More videos to come for the new year - so check it out, subscribe, enjoy, and stay tuned!
2011 is gearing up to be A BIG YEAR for me with the upcoming release of my 2nd EP, 'Phoenix Rising' (which you can still PRE-ORDER and SUPPORT by Clicking the LINK below http://www.kapipal.com/fbb9793fcc104a329a12afae20b4ab12
or by hitting the DONATE button above.)
I can't wait to debut the EP's first single very soon!
I'm busy in the studio all week long recording, but expect more updates to come soon.
Here's a New Years treat for y'all.. download the FREE song 'This Means War! - Bobby Racket ft. PHATT al and Dana Jean Phoenix'
Hope everyone's New Year is off to an exciting start!
xoxoDJP
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