Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Kjerstin Michaela: I grew up in Norway and Sweden. We actually had music class in kindergarten, but more importantly is what my parents gave us at home. They were always singing and playing their instruments. My older brother and I were always welcome to join in. I had gotten one of those toy microphones and felt like a star, so I`ve always felt encouraged to follow my dreams.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Kjerstin Michaela: In the beginning I went by Zoie Nhoa, I figured my real name was too hard to pronounce and didn’t have that special a appeal. I came up with it after saying many names out loud in Norwegian and English and, I guess I probably thought of Zoë, AKA Gina Torres, from the science fiction show Fire fly, which I love! Why`d they have to cancel it? . Nhoa is a name I`ve always liked and both names can easily be pronounced in both languages.
However, I was soon advised by a producer, to start off with my own name and change it into something “bigger†later on, after actually making a name for myself. So I started using my own name and I think I’m just going to stick to it. I believe changing it later on will only confuse my audience.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Kjerstin Michaela: I think it`s awesome! It`s a great promotional tool. You can reach so many more people and hopefully future fans. If you are like me, then you care more about the broadening of your audience than making money off of your songs. At the same time, we all need to make a living. Luckily the fans of today have shown that they’re willing to pay for their favorite artists’ work as well as sharing it online. Thus making it possible for the small guy to make it in the music business. I feel that this says something wonderful about the youth of today. They listen, they love, they care and give back. So yes, I do give away my music on Patreon, YouTube, Sound Cloud and some on Spotify, and trust that it`ll pay off in the long run. By give away I mean that you can listen to my music whenever you want, online for free. Free downloadable mp3 files, on the other hand, are for my Patrons – whom are supporting my work financially, only.
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?
Kjerstin Michaela: Yes! First of all, make sure you have the material you need ready. By that I mean, that you create content on a regular basis and learn it well. You need good routines so that you know how to get ready for the specific day, before it comes.
Getting the gigs is about being heard by many. Making sure that people remember your name. Recording your music and finding help to produce it in good quality. Contacting the radio, tv and such, by sending them mp3 files or a CD of your music with a short bio and a few words about the songs and your goals and dreams. Show that you are a positive person and that you have direction as well as confidence. Sell the vision of yourself living your dream. Be sure to remember and show others that you understand that it is hard work over time that will get you there, though. No one likes a smug and lazy person and one of the most important things is to stay humble and polite.
Networking is key. Every time you get the chance, ask others what they do for a living, who they are. Take interest in them and then talk about what you do. Have a business card ready, with your name, number, email address and your music link on it. Building a faithful fanbase is super important too, so don`t miss out on opportunities to build any network. You want to engage with possible future employers, colleagues and customers.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Kjerstin Michaela: More than telling stories I express personal feelings and experiences. Often in my car, by the piano or while enjoying nature, sunshine and colors. I record the lyrics and melody on my phone and when I get to a piano I finish the arrangement. If I`m by a piano when the creativity and need to express feelings comes, the process is that I write down all three parts at once, sentence by sentence while playing. Thus the long lyrics and unordinary build in my songs. For better or worse, I don`t plan them ahead. My songs often come at night too. Then I either record it whispering or write it down on my cellphone or get up and finish the whole song by the piano. If I don´t they`re often on repeat in my head until I do.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Kjerstin Michaela: I’m on Patreon, YouTube and Soundcloud. I love to engage my fans on social media like Face book and Twitter too. A personal website is coming -probably within 2016.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Kjerstin Michaela: Wow, if this happened it would open up a whole new world for me. I would buy instruments for a whole band , then take lessons and learn how to play them. I`m talking drums, bass, electric guitar, and synth. I’d pay for lessons in sound engineering too, because I wish to do the whole process from a-z by myself. I`d buy more of the equipment I need for my recording studio. Change studio location to a bigger, more fitting room, if possible. Â If there were still money left I`d wanna hire producers for more exciting music videos. And I`d love to record some of my next songs in a professional studio while working on my own skills. I figure I don`t become a great producer over night, so.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Kjerstin Michaela:Â Well, I`ve just started up again after a long break, but I think I`ll benefit the most from bringing the content, on Patreon.com. To interact a lot with people, online. To boldly, but politely, dare to tell others about my music and ask them to listen, like and share. I use Twitter and Face book for this. I hope that getting heard and seen more online will do wonders for me. I`m thankful for having friends and family, my mom especially, promoting my music everywhere they go.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Kjerstin Michaela: Yes, I´ve become a Patreon creator. In addition to publishing my own music, I`ll be more in touch with my fans now. I want to hear what they like. Sing cover songs that they love. I’m inviting everyone to become a Patron of mine, which means that you support me with 1 dollar or more per upload and get rewards like free downloads of my songs, getting to hear my stuff before everyone else, google hangouts and more! Making a living out of my music would open up a whole new world for me and my fans. I believe it would concentrate my style and sound. Show more of what’s unique about me. It would up the quality, for sure. I`d love for my finished products to sound exactly like I envisioned them. These days I´m attending piano lessons and the plan is to accompany myself in the future. I don´t know how long it will take me to feel confident about my capabilities, though. I´m a newbie, you know. Still, I got my mind set on getting there, and look forward to it.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Kjerstin Michaela: Art will always be a part of my life, whether it be painting, writing books and novels, etc. I could also see myself as a Personal trainer and Nutritionist.
I’d probably do more of the other stuff I’m doing on the side of my music too. 😉 Right now it’s projects surrounding aiding integration in Norway, and teaching cognitive positivity techniques and communication.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Kjerstin Michaela: Ha, I don’t!;-)Â I do too much, haha. I feel that everything I do is at the expense of something, or someone else. So, I try to keep track of what I’ve done lately so I can switch priorities every week.
I don’t work well under the pressure of a full calendar with deadlocked appointments or tasks, so I try to just remind myself regularly what’s important right now and trust that I`m not a lazy person. In fact I know that I always do my best, always push myself unless I push myself to not push. So, it seems to be the most effective use of my time. Cause when I get overwhelmed by responsibilities and feel insufficient I just spiral down into a little black hole and feel incredibly tired, haha. When that happens the best thing I can do is something completely free of responsibility but healthy and cheap. Like taking a time-out, walking to the closest viewpoint. Whenever I gaze upon a view where my eyes can glance far, the discouragement lifts.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Kjerstin Michaela: In 2016 you’ll get to enjoy many new styles and moods in my music. And, since I’m starting to do more cover songs, “taking orders†from my Patrons and fans, I will be singing even more different genres and you can hear me sing your favorite songs. Very exciting also, is the possibility of finally being able to finance music videos through Patreon. I`ll interact more than before with the audience through Patreon.com, Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.
