Today we’d like to introduce you to India Carney.
Hi India, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story started just a year or so out of the womb when I took Mommy & Me music lessons at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in Brooklyn, New York, where I’m from.
From there, I was always led towards music; I joined the school band in elementary school, enrolled in a middle school for the arts (Mark Twain), studied at Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege Division, and finished four amazing years at LaGuardia Arts High School (the “FAME” school). I knew I wanted to continue learning about my voice as a singer, which is why I was then led to attend UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, graduating with a degree in Vocal Performance and Music Industry.
Towards the end of my time in college, I found myself in the national spotlight, competing on Season 8 of NBC’s The Voice, where I finished in the Top 5. Though it gave me some much-needed exposure, once I was off the show, I had to go back to the drawing board, very much campaigning for and managing myself. With hard work and strong faith, I continued my career by becoming a successful background vocalist, vocal arranger, vocal coach, as well as a solo artist.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, it’s been a smooth road. I feel like I know my calling, and I welcome it. Therefore, I’m a little more prepared for the ups and downs that come with it.
With that said, I’m human. Of course, there have been obstacles. I’ve experienced extreme periods of self-doubt, and on occasion, I’ll experience envy, generally as a result of our world of social media. Those aren’t struggles that are specific to me, and for what it’s worth, it brings me comfort to know that we all go through that to an extent.
I had a revealing conversation with a friend once who told me that artists, especially, experience highs that are SO high that our lows almost feel unbearable. It’s true. And as a result of that conversation, I began to look inward and determine the place that music holds in my life. Is music all I have to offer? Or am I a person outside of the music I make? I think it’s the latter.
When I finally started to understand that my well-being as a person will only add to the joy I experience making music; I found it a little bit easier to celebrate the wins and make sense out of the losses.
Easier said than done, of course. ◡̈
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer through and through. Everything else I do comes as a result of my knowledge of and comfort in singing.
Professionally, I am a solo artist, background singer, session singer (meaning, I sing for tv/film/video game scores), vocal arranger/producer, music producer, and at times, vocal coach. I’d say I specialize in all things vocal. Whether it be background singing, session singing, coaching someone through a song, or being the one in the spotlight, I feel as though I have the tools to navigate most settings. And I LOVE that!
There are many things I’m proud of, including the Small Lang Syne American Express Holiday Campaign that I was featured in during Winter of 2020, touring with Katy Perry for almost four years, and being able to give back to aspiring singers through my work coaching on shows like American Idol and I Can See Your Voice. I’ve sustained such a fun career that’s taken me all over the world, performing for artists like Mariah Carey, Dua Lipa, and Justin Bieber, at events like the Grammys and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and singing on records for artists like Celine Dion.
What sets me apart from others is that I am unapologetically myself. I have to be. From a young age, my voice was always different. Lucky for me, I can’t change it even if I wanted to, and I’m happy to lean into that. My singing voice is so different from others, and therefore, so is my artistry.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
You just have to network. Get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to just talk to at least ONE person in the room. If you can connect with one person, you can connect with many. More often than not, people DO want to meet you, too! The mentors, the connections, and the opportunities will only come with visibility. Depending on your goals, you can assess what your networking goals should look like, too.
What worked for me was finding a well-attended open mic that I felt comfortable going to. I went every week for two years! That visibility, alone, introduced me to sooooo many people and helped me get my footing as a young singer in Los Angeles.
Contact Info:
- Website: indiacarney.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/india_carney
Image Credits
Cody Burdette Media
Lauren Desberg Photography
Jordan Naheesi Media
