Welcome to Music Quench, Rebecca. In an industry filled with genre clones you are an artist of distinction whose passion and emotions reverberate in your lyrics, vocals and musicianship. Your 200+ songs comprise a bountiful portfolio of exquisite music written while you are still in your twenties, suggesting an amazing career path yet to come. You have developed your craft from within your soul while honing your formal training at the prestigious Hartt School of Music. You have performed “live” coast to coast and have 5 CD’s to your credit including the critically-acclaimed “Miss You” and solo acoustic tour de force “Soul of Me” recorded “live“ at Sirius Satellite Radio last year in New York City.
Singer, performer song writer
Rebecca, the people you list as having influenced you range from Alanis Morissette to Lucinda Williams to Counting Crows to the great bard Shakespeare himself. How have you kept yourself open to being influenced by so many gifted yet different people while developing such a distinct musical identity of your own?
I enjoy many styles of music and have kept myself open to new styles. I believe that if the delivery of a song is done well and passionately there is something worthwhile to gain from it. I adopted this philosophy a long time ago and find that if I take the time to listen to well performed music of any genres then I’m going to learn something from it and I’ll become a better musician because of it!
As an indie artist you have successfully utilized the Internet and social media to promote yourself and your music on MySpace, Facebook, CDBaby, iTunes, YouTube, Twitter and Amazon. Did you have a ‘master plan’ as to how you wanted to market yourself online?
I watch the trends and I spend time investing in that particular social networking tool. If I hear of other new social media sites of interest I start a profile and start learning how the website works. Social networking sites can help people reach my music and open it up to new ears. You can’t discriminate and narrow it down…you’ve got to be open to all of it. You never know where they will take you.
How does your website http://www.rebeccacorreia.com/ fit into your overall marketing approach and what factors went into your decision to use Franchise Studios Inc. to design and build your website?
My website was designed by Franchise Studios out of south coast Massachusetts and its run by a dear friend and entrepreneur Nicholas Francis. I’ve known Nick for many years and watched talent grow and have always been an admirer of his work. I knew he was the right choice to design my website and my Soul of Me CD because he has talent and he believes in my music. I truly believe you need to build a team of individuals who believe in what you do. Then, they are inspired to create for you and grow together!
You’ve heated the stages for artists the likes of Shawn Colvin, Melissa Ferrick, Livingston Taylor, Vance Gilbert, Cliff Eberhardt, Tracy Bonham, Jessie Colter, Freedy Johnston, Reel Big Fish, Black Eyed Peas, Raining Jane, Ryan Cabrera and Lucy Kaplansky and built an impressive fan base along the way. How do you balance songwriting, recording, touring (you average a hundred shows a year) and interacting with your fans on the social media?
I tell people all the time, I spin many plates! For the past 3 years I have stuck to a schedule of heavy touring and performing in the summer season. Oct – May I am based mostly in Nashville and work on the bulk of my social networking and songwriting. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Myspace are a part of my daily life and schedule and I believe it is crucial to remain consistent with it to keep in touch with fans!
You have created a portfolio of very cool music videos from the Sirius Sessions to appearances at the Cutting Room, Iron Horse and Somethin’s Brewin’ enabling you to bring the feel of your “live” performances to more and more fans. Have videos become an integral part of more of your “live” performances to the point where you plan on filming most, if not all, of your performances?
You Tube is huge! People want to see and experience what you have to offer. They want something real! I try to capture parts if not all of my performances to critique myself and share with others. Many times, the videos are taken straight from my computer. I set it up because I never know what I’m going to capture. I want fans and listeners to be able to experience the atmosphere at my shows and feel inspired to come out and see for themselves. I want them to know I’m a real musician with talent!
Indie artists have made DIY a matter of choice, control and creative expression. However, many artists like yourself make decisions at key points in their careers to expand their “me team” to include professionals with expertise to help grow their careers. At what point did you decide to have Adam Hanson handle your booking and Kyle Menard your promo and how have these decisions enabled you to expand your opportunities?
It has been a very natural transition. Kyle and Adam have been lifelong friends and supporters and have always helped me in every way that they can. Kyle is a social networking genius and has one of the best personalities you’ll ever meet. Adam is a graduate of The Berklee College of Music and a talented musician. Adam’s experience w/ venues and clubs, his musical education plus his passion for my music made it a no brainer for me to appoint him official position of booker.
You’ve garnered quite a bit of press. How have you built such a great relationship with writers and critics and do you front load your tours and CD releases with planned press activities?
I’d like to think I plan out my press releases and contacts before major shows and releases, but I also feel I am not doing enough… I guess it’s the perfectionist in me…I always feel I can do more. Many times these writers and critics have found me or they have been contacts that I’ve met along the way. I like to surround myself with people who support, understand and are passionate about what I am doing.
How did the “Rebecca Correia Street Team” come about and how do you work with them?
Kyle Menard was the founder of the Rebecca Correia Street Team and like I said before, he has one of the best personalities you’ll ever meet and he is probably one of… if not my biggest fan… so when he told me he was starting the RC Street Team I was all for it!! He created the team as a way of connecting with my fans and listeners and giving them a forum to come together to chat and support!
What advice would you give indie artists, in particular those starting out, to generate the kind of impressive, total marketing approach you have taken?
Work hard, believe in yourself and build a team of family, friends and fans who believe in you. As cliché as it sounds, follow your heart and listen to your intuition, surround yourself with people who believe in you and bring positivity to your life. Explore every option and be open to new ideas!
On behalf of Music Quench, thanks for your time and insight, Rebecca, and continued success to you. We’ll be listening!
Rebecca Correia
www.myspace.com/rebeccacorreia
Tags: Adam Hanson, Cutting Room, Franchise Studios Inc., Hartt School of Music, Iron Horse, Kyle Menard, Miss You, Nicholas Francis, Rebecca Correia, Rebecca Correia Street Team, Somethin's Brewin', Soul of Me