Is there a space for me?

Hi,

With so many talented female artists in the music industry, I really need to identify myself as something different. I think that my approach to singing a song is with compassion and feeling. When I perform I really try to make every person in the audience feel as though I am singing to them. My eye's are the entrance to my soul. I will always try and make eye contact with people when I am on stage because It makes me feel like I am giving something special.

When I write lyrics and create my own music, I try to write with an honest, fresh approach. I won't go for the cryptic version, I'll say it how it is. My music is a mixture of all my idols creative influences. I have a pop/natural sound but contemporary beats. I do think there is a space in the industry for someone like me, no one writes how I write, so I especially feel that my lyrics will stand out.

 Adelle's lyrics and vocals relate to every single person I know. She is so amazingly talented and can really portray the exact emotion she felt when she wrote it when she sings live. I really look up to Adelle, not only has she absolutely dominated the charts for the majority of 2011, she has stayed so true to her roots and feet firmly on the ground. She really is an inspiration and role model to everyone.

I don't even know where to start with Beyonce, everything about her oozes style and sex appeal. She is probably what every single girl would like to look like. Not only is she blessed with stunning features, she has one of the hottest voices I have ever heard. I would never have the confidence to try and sing one of Beyonce's songs in public, but I definitely use them as a training aid for myself. I will sing her hardest songs and train my voice to hit the notes with the same conviction that she does. Her songs are so strong and make a statement with every line that she delivers.

Although Delta isn't as active as the other two these days she is still a huge influence to me. I find that at any moment in my life or any situation that I am in, I can relate to one of Delta's songs. She sings with such meaning and hits notes that any singer would be proud to achieve. She is a natural beauty and a naturally gifted artist.

So, basically I need to be a mix of Adelle/Beyonce/Delta to achieve my goal and to fill the gap in the music industry!!

...I'll tell you what, for now, I'll just be me :-)

Love Yazi May xxx

So many choices....

Morning,

So I am looking at microphones to take to university with me and oh.my.gosh. How many are there to chose from?! Of course I don't have an endless supply of money to be able to afford a diamond encrusted wireless mic, but a girl can dream eh! I'm after a microphone that will "do the job", emphasise my voice in a mature yet natural way and not distort at the more powerful note, it's not too much to ask is it?

I've been having a look on the Internet to search around for my "new best friend" (as a mic is every singers best friend) - so take a look at what I came up with :-)

I've been advised (from very trusty worth sources) that the Shure SM58 is of industry standard and many performers use this microphone. I think for a modest £92.00 I would be getting a high quality mic.

I suppose the risk you take with purchasing on line is you don't get the added benefit of "try before you buy". I might go in to a store and have a good old sing song with their microphones and then decide which one makes me sound better! Don't get me wrong I don't use a microphone to change my voice for the better, but a poor quality microphone can make you sound AWFUL!

One bit of advice I would give all aspiring singers, is never sing on a crappy mic...if you go to a karaoke and you really want to sing - but you hear the quality of the equipment - steer clear.

If only I took my own advise....!!

Speak soon,

Yazi May x

This time next year....

Dear Diary,

So there we are, Christmas Day over for another year! This time next year my life will be so different, I won't be working in a job I despise, I will be living in London, going to an amazing university, writing more music, performing my music and having the time of my life. It will be hard work, but am I ready for it....YES I AM! I just wish my life would begin now!

I had such an amazing Christmas, I got so many lovely gifts. I got a keyboard and lots of music books to help me write. I got a satnav from mum, which read "So you can always find your way home" on the label - sounds like someone is nervous about me moving away on my own! LOL. I got various concert tickets and have successfully been converted to Twilight after watching the films with my sister. I am now reading them (as apparently the books are better) on the new Kindle she bought me :-)

The drums have been recorded for my two tracks that I had produced up in London, so not long until I hear the final version :-) Then I have a promotional meeting with the agency to see what the next steps are...quite nervous about that I must admit but also very excited!!!

 A really strange thing happened to me the other day, well not strange but out of the blue completely!! An old friend who I used to "hang about with" when I was younger saw my updates and said how his uncle was a producer and looking to work with artists all the time - so I sent over a copy of the song I had written to get some feedback as to what he thought to see if he wanted to make some music together. Hopefully I'll hear from him soon :-) Exciting times!

Any way, the day job calls. Great.

Speak soon,

Yazi May xxx

Roll On The Carol Singers!

Dear Diary,

I was thinking last night about when we would get Carol Singers knocking at the door....we haven't had any as of yet. I can remember when I was about 12 years old going carol singing with my sister and our friend who lived up the road. We were decorated in tinsel and had deeley boppers on our head to try and raise the festive spirit. We were armed with a recorder (that I played as backing) and a carol book!

Yes. I. Was. Cool. LOL

We had sooo much fun doing this though, and everyone was really generous. However, I always seem to make these fun excursions a lot more serious than necessary; whether it be carol singing or karaoke. Where I take it so seriously, I want harmonies to be in perfect tune, I want everyone to know all the words and to know exactly when they come in. Most people go to have a laugh, I go to give a great performance.

At Karaokes, I always turn up saying that I'm not going to sing....how long does it last? Not very long. After about an hour, I will probably have a list of about 10 songs queueing up to be announced. I don't think I ruin the Karaoke spirit though; I was number one fan when one of my best friends sang Michael Jackson's - Man In The Mirror. And well, it wasn't flaw less, but she gave a great performance and got a massive cheer from the audience :-)

I was trying to dig out the photo of my sister, our friend and me from MANY Christmases ago. But I couldn't find it. I think you got a lucky escape - it was awful!

Love Yazi xxx

'Tis the season of colds

Hey,

So with all the cold weather we are having, there will be loads of bugs and colds going around. I certainly DO NOT want one! - so any infected people please steer clear!!

For someone who doesn't sing, it can just be an inconvenience and an annoyance. For me, it feels like it's the end of my singing career and I'm destined for a lifetime of office work - for some this may be OK, for me this is not!

When I get a cold, I am straight down to the local pharmacy buying every product out there to try and shift it. But you can guarantee it's a keeper and doesn't want to shift easily. The best bit of advice that I can give singers (from personal experience) is just don't sing. Don't try and sing through it, let your voice get better. I have tried to rehearse and perform whilst suffering - and it doesn't go down to well. Not only do you give an average performance, but afterwards you're left with an even worse throat as you have now managed to strain your vocal chords and mess up your voice even more! - I've been there and got the t-shirt!

I suggest, drinking black tea with honey it it. I hate honey, but it works. It has a soothing factor and surprisingly does ease the pain in your throat. Also, I find that when I have a sore throat, I'm ALWAYS thirsty. Of course swallowing is an issue as it hurts, but I tend to drink Blackcurrant and Lemonade. This is a tip that I got from my vocal coach, and it again works. It clears all the "cloggy" sensations in your throat and picks up your energy whilst you are trying to get better.

I just thought I'd share this as I've had many colds and being the hypochondriac that I am, feels it stays with me for about 10 years before it's fully gone. And instead of walking around with a face mask on trying to prevent me getting one, I'd rather focus on getting better as quickly as possible.

:-)

Happy Sneezing!

Love Yazi May xxx

6 more sleeps to go...

Dear Diary,

I can't believe it's only 6 sleeps until Christmas Day! The tree is up, I have tinsel around my computer screen and all the presents are wrapped up and ready to be given out. It will be nice to have a break and not to have to come to work, the stress levels will certainly reduce after a few festive bevvies!

I've been watching a lot of the music channels recently and love all the Christmassy songs. It's just that the past 6 or so years have been dominated by Xfactor winners. Don't get me wrong - I love watching Xfactor - although I see it as more of a comedy/entertainment show rather than a singing competition. Back in the days when Gareth Gates came 2nd to Will Young in Pop Idol (don't even get me started - it still saddens me to this day that he lost!) it was actually a talent show, now it's just a mockery, that people who can't sing, and act stupid get through. Is it really fair to put someone through who people are blatantly going to take the piss out of it. I suppose as I watch it, I am one of those people. But I accept it for what it is: a comedy sketch.

I say bring back the good old holiday song. It's called the Christmas number 1 for a reason, it's Christmas. Let it be a Christmas Song! Of course, Little Mix will no doubt have #1 this year, but next year I'm all for a festive tune!!

Also, can we just take time to appreciate Heart Radio's "Sleeps till Santa" song. It's so catchy...check out their website and have a listen http://www.heart.co.uk/kent/

Love Yazi May xxx

p.s I am getting a copy of my radio airtime and I will post it on here for everyone who didn't manage to listen

3, 2, 1 **On Air** !!!

Good Afternooooooon,

I've had a really good weekend so far! Last night me and my closest friends went out for our Christmas Meal together and to exchange secret Santa presents (although by the end of the night it wasn't so secret!). I had such a good time and for my secret Santa I got a Susan Boyle CD. Basically, a couple of years ago my friends and I went to Butlins 18-30s Holiday Reunion (as we do most years!) and instead of doing the usual sexy, uber revealing outfits, we always try to think outside of the box. This particular year we decided to dress up as grannies...and "apparently" I looked like Susan Boyle!! See for yourself below (sorry girls I had to!!!).....

Ever since this day, every now and then the nickname SuBo will always make an appearance. I am the one on the far right in the delightful floral number. You can decide for yourselves!!!

So, as you may or may not no.... my song "One For You" was played on the radio today eeeek!! I was soo nervous being interviewed, but hopefully it went OK :-) It's so strange to think that MY SONG was played on the radio!! People will have heard it. People will have judged it!! And hopefully people will have liked it!

I took a couple of pictures whilst I was there, so check them out...

The DJ was Mark Rogers who does the Saturday afternoon show. Thank you Mark for making me feel at ease :-) Amy-Jo was there with me to as we did a bit of promotion for our forthcoming gig in February...

I'm out tonight for my other half's family Christmas gathering...should be a laugh. I may treat myself to a vino or two to celebrate brilliant friends, a brilliant day and all the good things happening at the moment.

The only way is up!

Love Yazi May xxx

Radio Interview!

Hey Hey!!!

What are you doing on Saturday afternoon at 1.30pm? I know! You're going to tune in to BRFM 95.6fm and listen to me chatting with the DJ :-)

BRFM is a local radio station to me who provide music for Swale (my local area), however you can listen online on their webpage http://www.brfm.net/.

I'll be chatting about my forthcoming show with Amy-Jo and my debut single "One For You" - will also be played for the first time ON AIR!!!

I hope you all tune in and let me know what you think :-)

Speak to you after...

Love Yazi May x

* Press Release *

Oooh new paper has been published today...with yours truly in it LOL. I'll pick it up on the way home and take a look!...and ofcourse post a picture on here!!

A lot of questions have been raised around my departure from Divalicous (mainly from the other singers). It's not really something that everyone needs to know about but I think underlying all the factors was that it had changed so much since I first got involved in the project, people's interests and commitments changed and the puzzle just wasn't fitting any more. There isn't any hostility - and if anyone who sings with them wants some help or advise or anything, you can still call or FB me :-)

I'll upload the snippet from the paper tonight :-)

Yazi May xxx


*************

Write up in the local paper www.kentonline.co.uk

11 Days till Christmas....really??

Dear Diary,

It's only 11 days till Christmas! Seriously!!! I put the tree up with my mum last night and I noticed she kept looking at it strangely - turns out mum thought it looked like a giant spider! Hahaha! Bless!

I'm sooo happy that Little Mix won X-factor, I really think they deserved it. It's nice to have a group where everyone can sing and not just one person, I really hope they do well!! On the night though, I was so confused because I'm sure Gary Barlow was meant to be writing the winning song; and then the finalists sang Cannon Ball by Damien Rice. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the song, but I think with so many talented people out there - new artists need to concentrate on writing their own songs not jumping on the success of another's hard work!

One of my best friends (also a Yasmin) told me that G.Barlow did write a song but no one was allowed to hear it unless they bought the single - and I believed it!! Yes, this is true. I am officially the most gullible person ever!!!

So, what have you asked for Christmas? I've asked for a Keyboard - can I play? No! LOL. Well, I can read music and I know the keys on the piano, but can I convincingly pull of one of Beethoven's Symphony's - unfortunately not! The idea of the keyboard is just to help me get some chords down to the songs that I write - so when they get taken to a producer, the main part of the song is down and I'd feel like I had bit more input rather than singing the melody and letting them work out the chord structures! So pleeeease Santa, can I have a keyboard please :-)

Exciting news from DownTown today, the drums are being recorded tonight and I should have my final copies of my songs before Christmas :-) Then I have a meeting with their A&R team to start promoting me as an artist!! Eeek!

The day job is starting to get a bit tedious now, not long though….


Love Yazi May xxx
　　

Onwards & Upwards....

Hey!

So our article got printed in the paper today :-) I know it's only the local paper, but still quite exciting for people to hear about our show! I''ve taken a picture...check it out below:

Hopefully some people see it and order tickets :-)


Unfortunately yesterday I received a rather unpleasant text from someone who has been very influential in my singing . It's a shame, that they feel like this and I am shocked as to why they didn't give me a call to chat about it. I just wanna say thank you for everything that you have done, you know who you are.

I now USED to sing with a local group near to where I live. Over the couple of years I have been with them, LOTS of things have changed, may be it was just time for us to go our separate ways. I'm not hostile, there is no need to be as I have loooads of things coming up. I believe singing with them created the foundation to my confidence and performance that I have today. I wish them all luck in the future and for all their future shows, and possibly hope they can come and support my self and Amy (who also used to sing with them) at our valentine's gig. But maybe "hope" is the distinguishing word here.

Onwards and Upwards.... :-)

Love Yazi May xxx

** a MASSIVE thankyou **

Morning,

So exciting stuff has been happening this week so far, not just for me but for a good friend of mine also. Myself and Amy-Jo went to visit a potential new band that she might be joining - and she is :-) I was present at the meeting and I thought it went really well and I think the band are going to come up with some really good music. Well done guys :-)

Also...the guitarists dad was also at the meeting and so VERY kindly offered to print mine and Amy-Jo's posters for our valentine's themed show. We picked them up last night and LOVE them. Nicky Hayes is the director of CYC Logistics & Distribution, so we would like to say a huge THANK YOU!!!!!

We are soooo excited for this show, and so grateful for all the help that has been given to us. I think in the past week our dream for our performance has stepped up to a completely new level. We have so many ideas that we just really want to be able to pull off and make it a really good evening for everyone who comes to watch.

Tickets are officially released in the new year, but as there are ONLY 100, if you are 100% coming, you can purchase them from us now.

Love ya,

Yazi May xxx

'Tis the season to be jolly??

Dear Diary,

So we are in December - where has this past year gone??

In December most people reflect what they have been up to in the past year, and I'm doing the same. My past year has been at times the best it's ever been, but also the worst it could have been.

On the 22nd December last year, my grandad died and now we are coming up to the first anniversary of his death. I still find this very hard to deal with, especially as everyone has a count down to Christmas, to me its a constant reminder of how many days it is left until I didn't have my grandad anymore. I'm not being a scrooge and wanting people to stop, but it's no doubt going to take time for me to realise that the saddest part of my year is mostly made up with every other person enjoying the festivities.

Every year, I've gone to Christingle with my mum and my sister (my grandma joined us last year) at our local church, and no doubt this year will be the same. I love all the carols that are sung - mostly because I'm the person in the congregation who actually sings them really loud - people probably hate me! LOL.

This year also saw the biggest show that I've done. We performed at the Clapham Grand in London and I LOVED IT! It was soo much fun....loads of drama followed unfortunately which kind of put a downer on the whole night, but I was in my element. I loved doing that show and I knew that this was 100% what I wanted to do with my life. Ok my vocals weren't perfect (*cough*cough* Firework!! lol) but I had fun in the process.

My singles are currently being mastered - so hopefully they will be available on iTunes for download in the new year - oh well not Christmas number 1 this year!!

Speak soon,

Yazi May xxx