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| UPCOMING OCTOBER SHOWS IN LA & SANTA BARBARA... | | UPCOMING SHOWS:
NEXT LA SHOW :
ACOUSTIC PLAYHOUSE
OCT 30TH 10:30PM
@ROOM 5
143 N. LA BREA
LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
COVER $8
30 minute set @ Room 5 (upstairs at Amalfi’s Restaurant) Ages 21 ALSO FEATURING ON THE BILL: Nikki Katt, Vox Sonus and The Garden Angeles
NEXT SANTA BARBARA SHOW:
November, 3 2007 10:00PM
INDIE MUSIC SHOW
@MUDDY WATERS
508 E. Haley Street
SANTA BARBARA, California 93103
Cost : $5 | | Posted: 9/28/2007 at 22:42 | Read 43 times | 0 comments | Leave Comment |
 | I WON AN ASCAP PLU$ AWARD... | |
I was just notified that I am the recipient of the ASCAP PLU$ AWARD! That's 5 years in a row!!!!
ASCAPLUS is an awards program that provides cash and recognition to:
1) Active writers in the early and mid stages of their careers, and
2) To established writers whose main activity is outside of broadcast media.
ASCAPLUS Awards are based on panel review of recent activity of writer applicants. Each applicant is considered on merit and in the context of all others applying. ASCAPLUS is not a contest or competition involving the critical evaluation of any specific work or works. The primary basis for panel determinations is the activity generated by each member's catalog, with emphasis on recent performances. | | Posted: 9/18/2007 at 00:46 | Read 65 times | 2 comments | Leave Comment |
| MY MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE REVIEW IS HERE!!! | I finally got my hands on the new issue of MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE today...go to page 53 and see CLUB REVIEWS...for those that can't get their hands on a hard copy, here is the review:
"Denise Vasquez: Singer/Songwriter fare with mainstream appeal"
-Bernard Baur
DENISE VASQUEZ
The Gig
Hollywood
THE PLAYERS: Denise Vasquez, vocals, acoustic guitar; Clayton Halsey, lead guitar; Randy Martinez, bass; Cynthia Rivera, drums.
MATERIAL: Music Connection has reviewed this artist previously, and each time we've noticed an improvement. Well this time, Denise Vasquez has finally taken it over the top. Her songs which were originally unique singer/songwriter fare, now have a rockin' mainstream commercial appeal. The change is dramatic and impressive. Though intimate in nature, her material has become larger than life. Now all Vasquez has to do is to continue writing songs in the same manner, with an even stronger focus on the choruses.
MUSICIANSHIP: The players are excellent musicians, and each of them contributes significantly to the overall sound. Halsey is a tasty and precise lead guitarist. His licks are like lightening strikes, hot and intense. Rivera and Martinez form a solid rhythm section that propels the songs into the arena-rock stratosphere. This allows Vasquez to burn brightly. Her voice is bluesy at its core and sweet at heart. If you didn't know better, you'd think that she was the love child of Aaron Neville and Jewel.
PERFORMANCE: Denise Vasquez owned the stage. Her warm, charming personality and absolute joy in performing completely enchanted the packed venue. On this night, she was truly a star. Her bandmates, on the other hand, could have picked up their game and brought it up to her level. One major distraction-and a pet peeve of this reviewer-is that both Halsey and Martinez hardly ever took their eyes off their fret hand. With players of this caliber, that's simply inexcusable.
SUMMARY: This artist has set the bar high for herself. Now, her band must follow her lead. Based on this gig, Denise Vasquez has the potential to do big things and is prime for industry attention. In fact, indie labels and publishers should take note. This is an artist ready to break.
-Bernard Baur
MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE
September 10, 2007-September 23, 2007
Here are more photos taken by Bernard Baur that evening:
Thank you Bernard Baur & Music Connection Magazine for your continued love & support!!!
;0)
Now, back to writing & recording...
PeAcE, LOvE & roCk NoT wAr
Denise Vasquez | | Posted: 9/9/2007 at 20:49 | Read 43 times | 0 comments | Leave Comment |
| I LIVE MY DREAM, I DON'T DREAM MY LIFE... | | Everyone has dreams...but not everyone lives their dreams...it's not easy, it takes belief, will, focus, discipline, talent and hard work...but I'm here to tell you, that it is possible!!! I'm the type of person that if I want to do something, then I do it...and for that, I am happy & have no regrets...
Last night I received a GREAT article from Jen Yeko ("True Talent Management")...Her article was about TOURING...In her article about touring, Jen included responses from two artists...one had a very positive outlook & the other was negative...it really made me think about what kind of artist/person I am...I usually just read Jen's articles, but something struck a chord within, I had to respond, It was really late, and I was really tired, but I wrote her...she plans on using my response in her next email...here's what I wrote:
"Great Article Jen!!! Once again, Thank YOU!
Reading this article has reminded me what kind of artist I am...the positive artist who works her butt off... all the while remaining positive...
Why??? I am happy...I'm living my dreams every day.
I believe & define my success by how much of myself, my energy, my heart, my soul, I put into my dream of being a singer/songwriter....I LIVE MY DREAM...I DON'T DREAM MY LIFE!!! I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth...on the contrary...we were really poor...I watched my mom work her butt off, always remaining positive, and turn all of our lives around for the better! I carry a piece of my mom with me in everything I do....
I feel I've established a pretty good name for myself by playing out live as much as I can for over 7 years now...I had a pretty good life in the Virgin Islands, but I knew I had to sacrifice that life and move in order to be able to make my dreams a reality.
Do i have regrets? No! If I didn't move here to pursue being a singer/songwriter, then I would have been miserable thinking "What if...should of, could of, would of"...Not me...
For over 7 years I've been touring (UK, Ireland, Scotland, NY, Virgin Islands... Playing bookstores, Irish Pubs, Coffee Houses, House parties, Lounges, Cafes, Rock Clubs...building relationships, making new fans & friends, building an email list & following, selling merch, networking, learning the business, writing writing rewriting rewriting...
...I usually tour solo/duo as it makes it easier on me financially...but from time to time I'm able to put together great bands...like you said...it's not easy...if it were, everyone would be doing it!
Sheryl Crow is a GREAT example of not being so hung up on the age thing...it matters to some, but that should never get in ones way! Especially now...the industry is changing soooo much on a daily basis!!!
I love playing for all kinds of crowds in every kind of setting...it's the best preparation
money can't buy!!! Playing live has prepared me how to improvise, how to handle technical difficulties, how to connect with an audience, what songs get the best response, and more...
I want to share a true story about one of the FIRST live shows I did. I love sharing this story....I was asked to perform at "The Crooked Bar" (No longer exists, was below The Coconut Teaser)...I booked the show & some of my fellow peers asked me why I would perform at a dump like that...I didn't have the same perception they did...I LOVED "The Crooked Bar"...they had the best sound guy in Los Angeles (Henrique), who recorded your live performances and gave you a cd for $5...The sound quality was amazing & I even used a live performance I had there for my first cd "Fighting Darkness"...performing there was a wonderful education...I met the most wonderful people there...who are still my closest friends to date! Anyway, the night of my show, there was a small audience...maybe 7 people in the crowd...honestly, I didn't count how many...I wasn't concerned with the size of the crowd...I was there to perform & Boy, I sang my heart out!!! Talk about being at the right place at the right time...there was a scout in the audience looking for one more act to fly to Cozumel for a week with a number of other bands from all over the states for a big charity event... I got to hang & perform with some of the best in the business...another great education...not to mention everything was paid for!!!!
I put myself out there as much as I can...I learn as much as I can about my instruments, my craft, the business, marketing, promoting, writing songs, booking, touring...I work work work...and I LOVE what I do!!! I don't want to do anything else...That's the secret...LOVE what you do and committ to it...otherwise, why bother! I've found that I receive as much as I give...."-Denise Vasquez
There was soooo much more I wanted to write her, but I needed to sleep...basically, for those that are complaining that they don't want to play out...that's cool...more gigs for us that do want to play out...some people just make excuses, but how much of yourself are you really putting into making your dreams a reality??? When I'm not playing out, I'm rehearsing, writing, recording, doing homework, promoting, getting my music out there on the internet...there are soooo many other ways to get your music out, especially with the internet...it's hard for me to keep ahead...but for me, playing out is key, it's vital not only as a performer, but as a songwriter! I've learned soooo much from playing live, and I LOVE connecting with my audience! Speaking of which, I need to get back to recording...
;0)
PeAcE, LOvE, rOcK & Soul
Denise Vasquez | | Posted: 9/5/2007 at 14:49 | Read 23 times | 1 comment | Leave Comment |
| MY MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE REVIEW IS COMING OUT! | | Ok Ladies & Gents...just got the phone call telling me the details of when our MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE REIVEW from their "BEST KEPT SECRETS" INDUSTRY SHOWCASE @THE GIG HOLLYWOOD, IS COMING OUT...
I am SOOOOO nervous & very excited at the same time...
Breathe...OK... THE DENISE VASQUEZ BAND REVIEW is going to be in MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINES' NEXT ISSUE which comes out on the news stands NEXT WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH...
If you subscribe to Music Connection Magazine you might get it sooner...
For my international out of town friends & fans...no worries...you can either subscribe to Music Connection Magazine OR, if you can stand to wait another week when it will be available on their website you'll be able to see it at MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE ONLINE
Thank you all that came out & showed your love!!! The crowd, YOU GUYS & GALS WERE AMAZING...Part of the magic was YOU being there!!!
;0)
Peace, Love, Rock & Soul
Denise Vasquez | | Posted: 8/29/2007 at 16:21 | Read 28 times | 1 comment | Leave Comment |
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| Denise | Female
Hollywood, CA
Hometown: New York City
Last Login: 4/22/2009
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