Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Christie.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a singer-songwriter, music producer, and music mentor. I started in theatre. I wanted to be a movie star as a little girl, then got into Broadway. I always wanted to move to NYC and be a Broadway Star. My childhood was full of theatrical productions, various dance classes, choirs, plays, and private vocal instruction. Anything that had to do with the stage, I was there. The stage was sacred to me.
When I got on the waiting list for the college of my dreams (NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts), my dreams were shattered. I had no plan B. I ended up attending University of Washington in Seattle, merely because its architecture reminded me of New York City. Whilst in the Pacific Northwest, my life took a turn. I started writing my own songs more, started a soul-metal band (so Seattle), and switched my major from theatre to modern dance. I found yoga. The open skies and voluminous mountain ranges surrounding the city rooted me into a kind of spirituality that I had not possessed before. While in college, I went on a study abroad to India for four months, and it changed my life (so much so, I got Sanskrit tattoos on my arms).
After college, I had no idea what I really wanted to do, other than travel, speak Spanish, and dive deeper into my creative path. So, I got a one way ticket to Guatemala, where I learned about the genocide, discovered Lake Atitlan, and became a fire dancer. Then I attended a yoga teacher training in Costa Rica, at which I realized (with the help of my peers) that what I REALLY wanted to do – was SING. So I returned to my roots, returned to my country, and launched into my independent music career. Eight years and many details later, I’ve had sync placements internationally, had a song go viral on Spotify, have had four music projects, and have toured internationally and worked with many collaborators.
I’ve recently begun my online business in coaching and mentoring other artists, because really, being an independent artist is like bushwhacking, and we can all use all the support we can get! My mom was always a schoolteacher, so I have a natural teacher inside me. I’ve really enjoyed hosting online classes in music production, singing, and music business for people this year, and plan to continue growing my offerings. I recently released my 7th studio album, and have another one in the works with my husband (also a musician). We co-founded our booking company 2 Suns Booking in 2018, and run that together from our home in Topanga.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some of the major struggles have been around climbing the ladder to success in my community, as well as mastering finances as an artist. What I mean by that is – it’s particularly hard to get respected as a female artist. It is still a pretty male-dominated culture. f I get a slot at a festival, I am lucky if it’s on a good stage, or at a good time. So developing that business sense, and being my own manager, has been one of the greatest struggles; feeling ‘seen’ and valued. This also includes being paid what I’m worth. It’s extremely difficult when you’re starting out with no following to get paid what you’re worth, or even at all. (Sometimes, horrifyingly, it’s even pay-to-play. Note: NEVER do a gig like that.) So, valuing myself #1, and #2, talking the talk/negotiating in the booking world. It’s key to formulate multiple income streams as a creative entrepreneur, I’ve learned.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As a multi-faceted artist mentor/coach/teacher – is to invite students into the process of learning through sharing the real-life wisdom I’ve gained along the way. Sometimes things have to be learned the hard way, but my goal is to pave the way for a whole new generation of artists to light up the world with their creative presence and to offer insights and methods for them to do so in a supportive and easeful way.
Embody Song is my singing program, which has a few yearly offshoots and live workshops, but there is always the monthly virtual singing circle I offer on a donation basis. This is my community offering and is a safe space for female-bodied people to come together to explore the root and range of their voices as a tool for self-empowerment.
The Wise Musicpreneur is my bi-yearly course for artists who want the broad-scope view of what they need to do as independent artists, how they need to lay the foundation for their artistic careers to be successful and financially regenerative. It’s part creative, part business, part technical.
From Source to Stream is my program for those who want the intimate hand-in-hand journey of a co-writing, co-producing, and full on releasing music experience. It’s for those who are ready to dive in but want to learn and do everything – from tapping into the “source” of the song to the “streaming” on Spotify and beyond – with a personal mentor. This is a ten weeks program for groups of three or less.
The Independent Artist Release Course is an ongoing online course that people can tap into to learn at their own pace the in’s and out’s of releasing music in today’s music industry climate.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a performer. I loved being the center of attention, and I loved dreaming up and directing theatrical productions with my friends and family. I was also a quiet artistic girl inside; always taking stock of the social situations around me with a high level of sensitivity. I was raised to frolic in nature barefoot and be freely expressed. I was like that too. I was raised to worship live music, which I have grown into more and more even now. I was a free-spirited, poetic child who had a rich inner life and loved the stage. I always knew I wanted to perform. My mom was also a teacher, so I always knew deep down that someday I’d teach. I had a handful of brothers and sisters from different marriages within my mom and dad’s marriage and divorce, so I learned to accept the non-traditional circumstances as family. I’m grateful for that.
Pricing:
- Embody Song: Full Moon Singing Circle – By Donation
- From Source to Stream: Private Music Production & Release Program – $1650
- The Wise Musicpreneur: Music Business Mastermind Course – $444
- One-on-one Artist Consultation Package – $133/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heathercsongs.com
- Phone: 8314253706
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heather.christie.music
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/heathercsongs
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/heathercsongs
- Other: http://bit.ly/heathercspotify
Image Credit:
Timothy Wildgoose, Cliff Warner, Dancing Flower, Caseyonamission, Alyssa Keys, Francesca Goncalves, Sean Michael, Nicole Nelson
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
