Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with Whitney Lusk

Exposed vocals: so tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 I started taking vocal lessons when I was 8yrs old, after my first time on stage for a recital I knew I wanted to sing! I started writing my own songs when I was 12 and put out my first EP at 14. Since then I have been singing and performed my original songs everywhere I can.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? what was your inspiration?

 A name of a band or solo artist makes a statement and you want people to remember your name. Every time I did vocal competition the MC would introduce me and say “Whitney Lusk” what a great name….then after I was done singing they would say well that voice and name will get you somewhere, so I figured why change a good thing. My name is unique enough for the stage so that’s what I use.

 

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 When I do shows I have a free download card that I will give away to fans that tag me on social media or come meet me after the show, it has 2 free songs of mine they can go download for free. My hope is that they will download, like, share and when they are on my website for the free download they will stay listen to more and become a fan of mine forever!

 

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller local bands or artist looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

 My advice is the same I tell myself all the time; don’t stop writing and don’t stop singing. Keep becoming the person you dream you can be! Network with your radio stations and artists in your local community to help build up relationships.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that? 

 Of course everyone makes mistakes during live performances, I just acknowledge them and laugh at myself with the audience and I think it helps them know I am real, no one is perfect nor is the voice.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do You tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think your readers would enjoy hearing about?

 I am still young so my touring career has stayed with in the west coast primarily my home state of Utah, however I have played in Idaho, LA and Nashville. When I do a show I always seem to have one fan that stays up at the front of the stage cheering me on and shouting out things to me about each song, so I make it a point to find them after the show and give them a free CD or download card and take pictures with them.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

When I was younger I would get inspired by a TV show or story someone told me. As I have gotten older I write out my own experiences, a lot about dating, dumb boys or romance. I recently had my loving grandfather die and I wrote a song about him which is probably the deepest one yet that I have written.

I usually get inspiration for a song idea in the middle of the night or maybe after an experience I just had, so I will write down my feelings and ideas and start writing.

 

 

Exposed vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

yes I have a website www.whitneyluskmusic.com and you can get to all my other social media platforms from there. Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. I have all my music on Itunes, amazon and many other music outlets to purchase.

 

Exposed vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your Mp3 player?

 oh, well….. Hanna Montana (shes my jam) Hillary Duff (old and new) and of course the Jonas Brothers!!

 

Exposed Vocals: If you were given a million dollars and a year off what would you do??

How would you spend it?

I would write, write, write then produce, produce, produce and do a full album if not more?? Then I would by a bus and start touring the country!

 

Exposed vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

 I am working with the most amazing producer in Utah. He was once signed to a record label with his band and he understands the industry and loves what he does. He is an amazing musician which makes him an amazing music engineer. I take him my song with my vision and what I want it to sound like and he does his magic and I am never disappointed. He listens and he gets me and my music. Only problem is $$$ it just costs money to produce your own music.

 

Exposed vocals:  How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you? 

 playing shows always works, you gain new fans each time you do a show. Youtube videos are a great way, however they can get really $$$ so I do some but not too many. I do advertise via Facebook a lot and enter every songwriting competition I can find, which has paid off tremendously. My song Kiss Me won me a trip to LA to work with Ken Caillat, Johnny Rzeznik from the goo goo dolls and many others in the music industry that helped me understand songwriting, stage presence, etc. My song Picasso won me a trip to Nashville and music row where I had the amazing opportunity to write with songwriters on music row then play a show with them at the famous Bluebird Café!!

 

Exposed Vocals: if you could perform anywhere and with any artists (dead or alive) where and who would it be with and why?

Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J !! hands down the most amazing vocalists ever! They are both real, true to who they are and they do the one thing that I have always felt like is the most important and that is focus on the vocals. Not just jump around on a stage and entertain but sing the best you possibly can and still put on a show. They don’t care what anyone thinks they are who they are and don’t try to be someone else.

 

Exposed Vocals: So whats next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 I am always looking for new opportunities and ways to network with industry professionals, I am trying to put out a new single ever 3-4 months, so far this year I have put out two new ones and have one more ready to release in August. I had the opportunity earlier this year to be part of a New TV series for Songwriters called “ The Song” it was a great experience and I was in the top 15 (cannot reveal more than that) but I made some great acquaintances and friends and from that will have more to come. It is scheduled to air this fall.

 

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?

sleeping, eating? I really don’t know, music has always been the most important thing in my life; over socializing, travel etc. Music is what I do and who I am.

 

Exposed vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

 yes I remember my first Cd ever purchased because I begged my mom and dad to buy them for me and they would not so I babysat and worked all summer long and bought me Brittney Spears and Carrie Underwood’s Cd’s.

 

Exposed Vocals: how do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 well lucky for me I am still really young so I have the luxury of not paying rent, working a day job so I am free to do my music. I have a great support system at my home.

 

Exposed vocals: what should fans look forward to in 2016?

 Fans should follow me on all my social media so they can keep up with my shows and all the new music I will be putting out in the next few months!! I’m super excited to share some of the new music I have been working on, some of its a lot deeper and more on the ballad side of stuff that I have really not done yet in my career.