My goal is to always contribute a part of myself to my music that will result in it sounding authentic, timeless, and real. I feel that this truly comes across in my new album, which is in the Rock genre. Wendy Starland More Quotes by Wendy Starland More Quotes From Wendy Starland If you follow a trend, by the time it is released it will sound like the same regurgitated music that the public has been hearing for the past eight months (at least.) I am not referring to genres or production that is considered to be timeless or "classic" sounding. Wendy Starland eight months past As a new artist you should ignore trends at all costs. Wendy Starland trends cost artist Knowing how to market yourself and your press materials is key. Wendy Starland materials keys knowing Taking constructive criticism from others is required to get to the next level. Wendy Starland next-level levels criticism There is a lot of incredible talent out there, however, talent alone is not enough. Being a great singer does not matter, if you are not singing great songs. Having great songs will not be obvious to record executives if they are not professionally produced. Consistently performing those songs extremely well is essential. Wendy Starland singers singing song By the time I was six or seven-years-old, I had learned several techniques of how to use my voice and was able to choose the sound I wanted to distinguish myself, so I started writing songs on the piano. Wendy Starland writing song years Eventually as a teenager, I was pulled up on stage by James Brown's saxophone player, Maceo Parker, during one of his concerts and scatted on his stage for 20 minutes. After I was done, Maceo's bass player got down on one knee as if he were proposing, took a string off of his bass guitar and coiled it up around my ring finger. He hushed the crowd and said into the microphone, "Wendy, from this day forward you are married to music. You have a gift from God. You must devote your life to using this gift or else you will deprive the world of something so special." I got the chills. Wendy Starland teenager guitar player I would describe my style of songwriting as classic. I learned very early on and have stuck to the core principles of song structure regardless of which genre I'm writing in. Wendy Starland style writing song Being a songwriter requires versatility while being an artist requires you to create a cohesive body of work. I truly enjoy both. Wendy Starland enjoy body artist I love the songs we've written together [with Ivo Moring] and believe that Rock music is coming back with a vengeance. There are a lot of new and exciting things on the horizon and the next chapter is going to be amazing. Wendy Starland rocks song believe Being in the music business requires having a very strong resolve. You must be completely committed to the craziness that will inevitably ensue when pursing a career in music. There is no one who is immune to this. Not even the biggest music icons. Wendy Starland icons careers strong Everyone faces challenges from the fierce competition as well as the manipulative crooks that are rampant throughout the music business. Wendy Starland crooks competition challenges I have certainly faced my fair share and will likely come across more. These experiences have been fuel for my music. Facing these challenges has forced me to recognize my own inner strength. Wendy Starland inner-strength fuel challenges The people who come out on top in music business have persistence. It is key! Fall down seven times; stand up eight. It takes a lot of courage and an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities. Wendy Starland persistence keys fall I first got interested in music as a toddler by my childhood babysitter, Rosetta Atkins. She taught me how to sing by imitating the voices on the gospel radio station she listened to - both men and women's voices. Wendy Starland childhood voice men