BE TRUE
We change as people, evolve, but we are also so influenced by the outside. Shut down parts of ourselves, hide, not to be noticed or scapegoated, in a desire to connect.
You just can’t run from yourself, so why bother? Instead, embrace yourself and go BIG! Go boldly in the direction of your loves, passions, and style!
The more I understand myself, the more I embrace and love who I am, and the more empowered I am to feel truly joyful in my own skin. Like myself, love myself, and show up being Wendy Parr!
Imagination to Reality
One artist I work with - I found an unusual tool for them. In fact, I’ve never used it as a solo tool before - I have a game I play that uses a blending of artists to help the artist break out of their idea of themselves, create expression they didn’t even know they could do. It’s super fun!
In My Mind
Trying to reconnect to the past puts you in your head. Your emotions are in your body and get expressed through your voice. I don’t believe you need to relive your pain every time you sing a song.
Evolution of Self
I’ve always allowed myself to flow with the feeling of expression that I have at the moment. But I also spent years finding and allowing myself my most authentic expression when the world told me yuck, ugh not that, don’t be that!
I’m so grateful for all the paths I’ve taken, and most happy to be dedicated to my evolution of self. You do you, boo!
Show Up As You!
Knowing who you are is the key to success, yet managers tell me all the time that artists don’t really know who they are. What happens to artists when they don’t really know who they are? Somebody else starts to tell them who they are, which leads to feeling like an imposter.
It’s All in the Mix
I always listen to the in-ear mix when I work with an artist. One artist, after 3 years of touring, was not having fun anymore, not feeling inspired. No wonder he wasn’t inspired, he wasn’t hearing music anymore, he was hearing a computer click.
Your focus changes everything.
RAW + REAL
I was working with an artist on tour. They're seasoned and have toured many times. They were so tired and said, "I want to quit."
Out of Your Comfort Zone
“Think outside of the box”, “Get out of you comfort zone” these are such common phrases that can lead you to take risks, level up and have breakthroughs you’ve been dreaming about.
I truly believe we only succeed when we are in over our head.
Life is a Team Sport
The most important voice to listen to is your own. Creating a life and career you love is about discovering what you love to do, what makes you feel amazing, where your talents lie an your purpose - how you want to affect people in this world.
The Power of Expectations
If an athlete has a knee injury, they would be wise not to expect themselves to work out and play the way they did before the injury. You change your work out to rehabilitate and come back stronger. We need to work in the subtleties.
Emotions-Fleeting or Forever
Watching my kids and they basically have two main expressions - Crying for anything that is emotionally uncomfortable, including frustration, pain and hunger and smiling and laughing for everything that is on the joyful side of their experience.
What’s My Signage?
Your work, art, heart + the various talents you have is your signage. Social media is your store front. Let people know what’s inside + they’ll come back again and again to do business for what you EMOTIONALLY PROVIDE.
Me + Miss Patti LaBelle, Part I
Have I told you about the time I sang with Patti LaBelle?
Or, should I say: the several times I sang with Patti Labelle?!… I was a teenager that first time-- the second time I went to see her, I took flowers. I was about 20 years old, she asked me if I could rap. I said...
From not Feeling Good Enough to Unstoppable Confidence
As a young artist training… slowly but surely, I became incredibly good at technique. But, I was feeling less and less creative, less and less free, less and less expressive. There were specific songs I would sing to show off my mix-- other songs weren’t good enough. Focusing on being a good technician diminished my artistry and joy. It was a long road back to my joy.
Anything But Basic + Boring
“Where is the melody?”, the producer asked me. The verses didn’t match, the chorus was consistent, but still had lyrical changes each time. There were some golden nuggets, but there wasn’t anything about the song that was truly solid and reliable.
Feeling Like a Fake
“Learning the ‘right’ way to do things made me feel like a fake, no longer like the artist I am. Applauded for being something that didn’t sit right with me. It took years to break this pattern - to change my perspective, my focus and get back to my love of making music.”
"Do you like that thing? It's ugly!"
The most important thing is that everything created for your stage performance like merch, and artwork are spearheaded by you!
It's Like Getting a BAD Haircut
A bad haircut ruins everything. And you know why?! Because you don’t feel seen for who you are, in your best light, in a way that represents your personality.
Managers tell me all the time, artists don’t really know who they are and knowing who you are is the key to success.
What's in a Name
Your name is unique and special to you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
READY TO GO FOR IT
Don’t be afraid to live everyday like it’s your last
Go for your dreams and don’t turn back