Good morning readers!
Have you all been seeing the coverage of the new vocal sensation that is known as MYRA? Well if you haven’t, she is a student of music who recently broke out in the recent news! She hails from Southfield, Michigan; where she is ranked #5 on the ReverbNation Charts for her category! Apart of some of her success was from an interview she had with Exposed Vocals, which in turn, is a platform we maintain a great relationship with! Here, check it out:
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Well, I was raised in Southfield but I have family on the East side of Detroit. Whether it was Motown hits or Bone Thugs N Harmony, my household was always filled with music. I discovered a personal relationship with music at an early age starting with piano lessons. From there, I became a choir nerd and started to play guitar. The pivoting point for me was my 9th grade year when my ear ventured off to Alternative Rock music( The Killers, Coldplay, Keane). From there, I started to write my own music and lyrics. Instead of writing in a diary, I wrote songs. After graduating Berklee College of Music, I moved back to Michigan worn out and almost ready to give up the dream. That school is competitive and definitely put me in moments where I doubted myself . I performed background vocals with a band back then called Rosie Cakes and the Ferocious Treats which was my comfort zone. I was apart of something where I wasn’t the lead. If anything, Cel-man Iller gave me the motivation to come out as an artist . I didn’t think I had what it took being that I can be shy an don’t starve for attention. What keeps me going is my faith in my music and that I will hopefully reach someone who can relate to it. I want others to hear my music and find their zen…their release.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
The best advise I can give is work on your craft every day and never get discouraged. Any work towards your artistry is a step in the right direction. There will also be days where you may find doubt in yourself. This is okay! BUT, take it as you knowing you can be better. Never let anything take you off the path.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Oh boy haha. There have definitely been times whether it being MSVMA Honors Choir or gigging in Boston where I had to improvise a bit . I try to be playful and laugh it off. We are human. Mistakes make the experience real. Otherwise, we’d have robots performing instead.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I got the opportunity to gig at various bars in Boston like Good Life and Church with Rosie Cakes and the Ferocious Treats. It was fun getting to meet other performing artist and the eclectic crowds of people! Currently, I am preparing for individual performances within the next few months… but touring may be a possibility…stay tuned!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I am more comfortable with recording with GarageBand. I love the filters on that program. Very easy to use and you can record something quickly on your phone. I also use SoundTrap on my computer as a second go to. Pretty similar to Garageband.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
I try to go to as many bars or venues with live music as much as possible. Even somewhere to grab a drink and make conversation…. You never know who you’re gonna meet…Which leads to always having your material on you ( ready to listen music, business card/ flier). Social media is also a plus! Dedicate time to either a Facebook page or Soundcloud to keep your fans posted.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Ooo… I’d have to say , random as it may be, I would want to perform in Detroit with a band that inspired me to venture into Rock music and to become a songwriter. Hearing Coldplay’s two albums Parachutes and Rush of Blood to the Head for the first time made a huge impact on my songwriting path. I know those two albums like the back of my hand…. If Chris Martin were to bring me on stage to sing with him, I’d have every harmony ready !
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Well! I am on the Detroit Juggernauts Mixtape that was released. I am very excited about it…. Tons of good artist on there!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Well, I love to build things/manual labor. My family is a huge influence on why I worked for The UPS Store and Fedex Office which involved warehousework and creating ideas. A huge chunk of my family works for GM and Chrysler. I would probably be in a plant or continue to work with UPS or Fedex.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Songwriting is my passion. Being a songwriter means I am not limited to one genre.I have a goal of writing for multiple artists as well as coming out with music for my own. Who knows…. maybe a tour will be in the near future as well…We’ll see!
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
I would like give a shout out to My family who never gave up on my dream…especially my brother Martez Moore who have me the drive to take recording my music seriously and being responsible for many of my beats. Also to friends who helped me on my journey ( Rosa Mendoza, Loyvie Johnson, Ikuma Matsuda). Shout out to Brandon Thompson who pushed me through my doubt . And a special shout out to Cel-Man Iller and my Detroit Juggernaut family! Never been apart of such a talented group of artists!
