Exposed Vocals Interviews ‘Not From Georgia’
Originating from the heart and mind of singer/songwriter Steve Westfall, Country/Pop Folk collective Not From Georgia is a story to behold, a story to be told, and brings a dynamic manifestation of music through journeys of life, artistic expression, and the insatiable thirst for creation.
Not From Georgia’s songs have an uplifting Alternative/Country sound that showcases strength in musicianship, presence, and performance. Bringing individual musical elements to the table, Not From Georgia grasps on an eclectic chemistry and realm of passion. You are captivated as a listener with every upbeat performance. There’s depth to the music, emotion, and expression that you can’t help but identify with, admire, and find longevity in.
Steve Westfall, the leader of the pack, shares his expression of music through experiences that have shed light on his life. A remedy to the heartache that we’ve all had one time or another. As well as the happiness that makes it all worth it.
Westfall is also a Jamendo artist currently with more than 2,500,000 listens, 20,000 downloads, and continues to solidify a heavy internet presence. Not From Georgia has hit the ground running since the start and has no plans of slowing down anytime soon, or at all.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Not From Georgia:
I grew up on the east coast of the US in Maine. I have always liked to create things whether it was drawing or painting and in my teens I discovered the guitar. I always had a love for music so I started learning how to play.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Not From Georgia:
The name “Not From Georgia” is really a song lyric from one of my earlier songs written while I was living in Atlanta, Georgia. The song is called “Caroline”. I moved away shortly after moving there so in the end it was fitting.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Not From Georgia:
I think sharing music and giving music for free is great, in fact its what I do, with certain rights reserved for the artist of course. Creative Commons is all about sharing but protecting your creations, while putting you in control of your rights. I am licensed under CC and my material is posted to online streaming sites where the music is free for personal use but paid for commercial licensing such as Jamendo. I am very proud to be a Jamendo artist with more than 2.5M listens.
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?
Not From Georgia:
Well I still consider myself to be a ‘start-up’ and always will be. If there is one thing I can share that would help a young musician just beginning is to never under estimate how much practice is worth. Whether it is simply practicing your chords or your performance, memorizing the lyrics or telling your story – the more you practice the easier it flows when you are playing live.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Not From Georgia:
Yep. Who doesn’t? Its normal. Don’t freak out, keep playing and learn from every mistake. Take a deep breath and simply regroup : )
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Not From Georgia:
I am not touring currently.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Not From Georgia:
My songwriting is truly drawn from my everyday life experiences. I write about what I feel and see, what has happened to me and sometimes even about what I think others might have felt. It’s a way for me to get out all those emotions that get penned up inside, an outlet. As the writing itself its usually a few chords and then building into a songs. Lyrics usually come last.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Not From Georgia:
In the past I used iTunes and CD Baby as well as bandcamp, reverbnation and in recent years Soundcloud. I haven’t kept them up-to-date but you can find Not From Georgia hangn around there… currently today I am using Jamendo as my main online sharing tool. I make money from licensing and a lot of people get to download MP3s of Not From Georgia for free!
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Not From Georgia:
Ha! Great question. I’ll give you one cheesy song, “Take my Breath Away” by Berlin. It was part of the soundtrack for the 80s movie Top Gun. That’s cheese for sure but what can I say?
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Not From Georgia:
I would get things in order, set up a small business for my family and I and live simply. I am sure I would be writing more music and finishing up any ongoing projects as well.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Not From Georgia:
Currently I use Presonus Studio 1 v3 for recording with a Presonus StudioLive RML32AI 32-channel rack mixer both live and in the studio. No upgrades for now, but technology is always changing.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Not From Georgia:
I use online streaming as I mentioned before combined with social media as well as PR blasts to radio stations and music blogs. I find if you are persistent and stick with it, you can get some very good results.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Not From Georgia:
That’s a tough question. So many artists and so much music. I think I would really like to be behind the scenes of some group that from the 60s or 70s who later turned out a number of great artists such as John Mayall & the Bluesbreakersm, Buffalo Springfield or the Byrds. That would be interesting for sure.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Not From Georgia:
I am already working on a new collection of songs, but I won’t be talking about it really for awhile until it gets closer to being finished.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Not From Georgia:
I have been an artist all my life so you can bet I would be making something—anything.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Not From Georgia:
Actually the first tapes I ever listen to belonged to older brother and sister. I remember listening to the bands Boston and the J. Geils Band. I remember thinking, wow this is cool, but I don’t know if it was the music or the fact that I stole them from my brother.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Not From Georgia:
Well I guess its just organization and planning, but in the end it all seems to work out
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Not From Georgia:
Shortly I will begin on a new collection of songs that I hope to release by the end of the year.