Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and later my family moved to Mississauga (a city just beside Toronto) I always loved music and the Arts. I don’t feel like I decided to become an artist, I just always was an artist. I sang in choirs and ensembles at church and performed in musicals at school and in community groups.
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?
I believe every path to success is different. The first time I had radio play in Europe was from twitter. A European Jazz radio station found me on twitter and asked if they could feature my music. So social media has help me. As for gigs, create your own. I did this for a long time and still do. I would visit the venue and ask them how I could go about preforming for them and if necessary, provide them with a sample of my work. I also would book/rent a space and invite all my friends. If your show is great, everyone will want to come again and hopefully bring friends next time. If it doesn’t go over well, hopefully you will have learned what does and doesn’t work. Once you’ve mastered your set, continue performing and advertising. Social media is an amazing tool for this. E-mailing lists are also a great too for advertising. Hopefully, once you have made enough of a buzz, a booking agent will want to work with you and you’ll be able to focus on the music. But until then, you’ll have to be your own booking agent.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
All the time. When I make a mistake, I’ll simply, continue as if nothing happened. If I spend time thinking about the mistake, I only sabotage myself for what’s coming up. I just focus on what’s coming ahead not what’s already behind me. I was in a musical and I tripped during some of the choreography. I didn’t fall down; I just did an unintentional shimmy. So, I decided to make it look like I planned it and just did another shimmy and went right back into the choreography and no one noticed. Most people won’t notice your mistakes. I suggest to simply stay relaxed and have fun. That always works for me.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I have been on tour in Europe with the Toronto Mass Choir and I am currently in a musical in Edmonton, Alberta called Only in Vegas. Touring is a lot of fun but also a lot of work. Once in Poland, several people waited for us after the show and asked us to sign their arms. I thought that was really funny. I felt like Michael Jackson.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I have a small home studio. I use Logic pro on my Mac Book Pro and I have a midi keyboard, Roland V-Drums, and a fender Jazz Bass I don’t do any of my professional recording in my home studio. I use it to create, work on new ideas, and rehearse. I recently purchased new speakers.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Social Media has been the best way for me to promote my music. Also, if I’m in a musical, I’ll mention my music in my bio with a link to my website. However, I do plan to do more advertising on the Radio, the TV, and print media.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
That’s hard to narrow it down to just one. I would love to perform with Gene Kelly. I know he is actually more of a dancer than a singer, but I think he’s a brilliant performer. Vocally, I would love to work with Ella Fitzgerald and Sam Cooke. Sam Cooke has been very inspirational to me both in talent and music business savvy. Ella is just pronominally fun and I think I would just die of joy singing an up-tempo swingin’ jazz tune with her.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I am currently working on a few different projects. I’m currently in a musical in Edmonton, Alberta called Only In Vegas. I play a variety of characters including Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis Jr., Bruno Mars, and more. I am going to be in the musical Rock of Ages in Calgary Alberta starting in April 2017. When I’m not onstage, I’m writing original music for my band, Sophisticated Funk. Sophisticated Funk is Darryl Joseph-Dennie on Keyboards, JT Kim on Bass, Kemon Emmanuel on Drums, and myself on lead vocals. We do a mix of funk, soul and pop. We are working on our EP. I am also working on my second Jazz album paying homage to the musical movies of the 1950’s. I’m scheduled to be in the studio for that project in the summer.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Because I also perform in musicals, my answer would be acting and/or dancing. I would also play any instrument. I love the performing arts and I would find a way to continue doing that.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Fans should look forward to more great jazz music and new original music with my band. I will also be performing at Stage West in Calgary Alberta in Rock of Ages starting in April 2017. Fans should also keep in the loop to see which musical I’ll be performing in next. They can connect with me on my website www.AndreAnthony.net and/or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
I would love to shout out the Mayfield Theatre and Stage West in Alberta. Another shout out to the Toronto cast and crew of Kinky Boots, and Sousatzka the Musical. Thank you to Mirvish Productions, The Talent House, Toronto Mass Choir, Humber College. Hello, to everyone at the Christian Performing Arts Centre in Toronto, and to everyone who has been apart of Royal Canadian Records, and Gold House Entertainment. I love you Jesus. And lastly, a shout out to everyone who has ever supported me and especially to those who continue to support me. Thank you!
