Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Recoia: I heard about exposed vocals through twitter and decided this was an excellent opportunity for more exposure
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Recoia : I grew up in the city of Toronto. To be honest I didn’t decide to become an artist, I was born one. I grew up in a musical household my mother being a church woman would always be singing, and my father an R&B artist had his studio set up in the living room. so before I could speak I was into music. I drifted away from music as a teen getting into a lot of different things. Getting a feel for what I liked to do but nothing felt as good and was as natural for me as making music. I wrote my first song in college to no beat just 2 versus a bridge and a chorus. I always enjoyed old english so my writing was very metaphoric. song writing was so easy It came so natural to me and with my church choir background I decided I was going to compose music because of how it made me feel and how it so naturally came from within me. shortly after my first year of college I got introduced to a studio engineer and I’ve been growing in music ever since.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Recoia: My mother did lol my name already separated me from everyone else and it was unique so there was no need to create a stage name.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Recoia: I enjoy online music sharing it gives you an opportunity to reach so many ears, get constructive criticism and see how different people around the globe interpret your music. I believe to gather awareness you must give your music away for free. I love giving my music out for the simple fact it gets heard. I want to share it an ultimately have the listener enjoy it as much as I do.
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?
Recoia: my advise to those starting is make a plan of attack and follow that plan all the way through work out the kinks and do it all again until your plan works for you. stay focussed and humble. Don’t be afraid to get your music out by any means. Make a demo and hand it out to strangers good music will travel so believe in your product, perfect it and put it out people will gravitate to it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Recoia: lol of corse but only I am aware of it because I continue performing so if people in the audience did catch it because of my follow through they’re are not sure if i messed up or if it even matters because the transition between the mistake is so smooth. It happens I just deal with it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Recoia: I’ve gone a few places to perform and I from my experience new people in new places are very receptive to new artist from out of town. Always lots of fun experiencing a new surrounding meeting new people. What happens on tour stays there lol.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Recoia: Ummm most of the time my inspiration comes from my own experiences or those that are close to me. sometimes just the beat alone can inspire me through the feeling it gives me, the mood it puts me in. when I start my writing process I get to know the instrumental by playing it and not thinking of what I wanna say just hearing the melodies listening to the character of the beat.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Artist: My personal website is currently under construction. I use twitter Instagram Soundcloud and youtube currently.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Recoia: Honestly I listen and respect all kinds of music. so if its in my playlist its because I enjoy it, its not embarrassing at all.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Recoia: haha half a mill? hmmm I would definitely find my way to a place off the grid for a few weeks completely disconnected then i’d go experience some new places and new people expanding my views on life making me an even greater writer. I would reach out to the youth around the world invest and help motivate them to believe in living life to their full potential an not just exist. I would buy a small boat and go to sea for a few days with my studio set up and a camera to record everything I see. after i set aside what i need for my next promotional push the rest I would blow on friends and family good times.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Recoia: the studio I currently work out of is very professional and gives out an amazing sound so as far as upgrades I’m not sure but the program is protools.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Recoia: I personally am more of the hands on type, so posters,business cards and handing out my music is something I enjoy doing but social media along with that is defiantly a plus an much easier and you reach a lot more people so i promo in both ways covering a lot of ground.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Recoia: I think I would enjoy performing a track with Aaliyah her vibe is amazing and full of good energy. where would I like to perform? good question if I had to pick a place I would say New York!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Recoia: Next is shooting the video for my new song Circles this should be a very interesting video because its artsy and darkish so I’m exited about that right now. upcoming is my next single Lovin I can’t wait to release it and shoot that video because its a location video on the islands so I’m real exited about that also. each song is a project for me right now so you can look forward to hearing and seeing a lot things from me we have all the work and we are all exited to get these projects out to the public.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Recoia: Honestly I would be miserable lol. Doing something just to make ends meet, without music theres no meaning for me I don’t see something else I would commit so much time to and be so passionate about. if I’m making music and just making ends meet i am fine as long as making music is in the balance i am good.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Recoia: My first album I bought??? man that I can’t say I remember, but I do remember buying a mo town cd a while back with all the old school hits outa mo town on it. i love jazz and the blues so at the time I bought it I was in a very mellow mood.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Recoia: with all responsibility comes “time management” so I make sure I utilize my time correctly so I don’t fall behind on whats most important to me, my music
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Recoia: They should look forward to seeing and hearing a lot of music from me seeing interesting videos and some acting I have plenty coming up they can just prepare to get use to seeing a lot of Recoia.
