Today we’d like to introduce you to Blair Woods.
Hi Blair, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been fixated on music and its creation since I was a toddler. My fondest and earliest memories include listening to my Bapa and his friends having jam sessions on the guitar during get-togethers, learning piano with my Bapa and Mema, and singing ‘Oops I Did it Again’ by Britney Spears and ‘Come on Over’ by Christina Aguilera into my Barbie karaoke machine every day. Growing up, I’ve always been involved in music, whether it was for fun, in school, or as an extracurricular (musical theatre). I knew by a young age watching ‘Hannah Montana’ that I wanted to be a pop star. I wanted the glamorous outfits, the fun pop hits, the performances, everything. Once I turned 19/20, I knew that singing and songwriting and everything to do with entertaining was what I needed to do. I left a normal life behind when I decided to officially pursue a career in the industry in 2016.
By 2017, I was moving out to Los Angeles from my little hometown near Destin, FL. I had some ups and downs as I learned my way into the industry and met my now producer, Nick Taylor (aka callgirl). Nick (then drummer for OIC), Skaggs, CJ, and Jon of Outline in Color have truly been the biggest help and they always have the best advice and guidance should I ever need it. I would not be nearly as close to where I am today without them. Covid-19 definitely proved to be a struggle as I was back and forth from California, Florida, and Vegas making music, music videos, and all the while- staying safe. It was a blessing in disguise; however, it gave me the pause I needed to focus on my craft and business. I made mistakes, learned from them, started a live stream, and released so much music and art.
I am currently working on my first independently funded album and saving the absolute best for this project. I really feel like my growth as an artist will show tenfold in 2023. I hope everyone is ready to know just who Blair Woods really is, and to everyone who got me here (my loving friends, family, and fans), Thank you so very much. It truly is a group effort. I cannot wait to be your next favorite artist!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Major struggles started with initial stage fright, once I got past that, it was mainly navigating the business and craft. I had never really written a real song before 2017. Learning structures, touching back up on theory, overall learning my voice, finding my voice, and getting accustomed to working in the studio was a lot to take in, but I continue to put in the work. I strive to perfect my craft every day. I can always learn more and do better. The biggest struggle was definitely Covid. It completely uprooted my life at first, but then once I was able to pause and focus on music, I started live streaming and really diving into my music and music appreciation. I believe every struggle is actually just a lesson in disguise to see just how ready you are for the next chapter in your life. And I am so ready for any challenge that comes my way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer/songwriter. I just recently joined the family at Bentley Records and I cannot wait to see the success this partnership will bring. I primarily create pop, pop-alt, and pop- r&b as far as ‘genres’ go. I am absolutely in love with r&b and jazz music. I know that my vocals are very much pop at the moment, but I would love to continue to develop an r&b sound that suits me. I’ve got a few tracks on the album that I’m working on that definitely display my vocals in their best light in a more sultry r&b vibe. I’m obsessed with writing melodies and vocal arranging. I want to continue to perfect myself in those areas because those steps to building a song really are my favorite. You can create such an array of feelings for yourself and the listener through vocal arranging and melodies alone. Add those to a super chill track, and you have a masterpiece in the making. I’m most proud of the vocal growth I’ve had over the years, I started my journey at a 3 octave vocal range and quickly learned how to stretch my range (healthily of course), and I sit at a 5/5 and a half octave vocal range as of 2020.
My whistle range is so much fun as I access it from two different parts of my range. I can do a more opera-style whistle and I can also do a falsetto to pop whistle depending on what I feel like would sound good in a song. I also make most of my own stage outfits and custom looks in my music videos, I love to sew and create clothes that no one else has. My style would probably be Barbie /gossip girl/ it girl pop diva- if I had to try to put a name to it.
I think between my vocal skill, my drive, my unique style, and my amazing community of friends, I definitely have a voice of my own ready to pave its way into the heart of this industry.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Honestly, I had no idea I would ever find someone I considered a mentor, I never really knew how to go about looking for someone I would trust to give me advice especially in this industry. As I mentioned before, the Outline boys found me in 2017/2018 and after meeting them and getting to know them, over time they have become some of my most trusted friends. I would totally consider them as mentors as well since they’ve been grinding and working in this industry since they were young teenagers.
The boys have paved their own way in the metal world and Nick has truly come so far in his production. I hold their opinions and advice to a high regard when it comes to navigating myself in this industry. If you do find that you need a mentor, I recommend treating “networking” more like finding a friend. You’d never let a stranger tell you how to live your life, so why seek out a stranger for the sole purpose of “networking”? Choose who you let in and keep in your life wisely. Get to know the people you meet, truly. Enjoy their company and conversation as you would a normal friendship, because at the end of the day, anyone you consider a mentor, you should trust like a friend.
Skip the weird “networking” trend and just make friends with the people you meet. Treating someone like a stepping stone is weird anyways. You should strive to have a mentor that believes in you and stays in your life because they want to, not because they’re supposed to.
Pricing:
- Merch – Sweatshirts are usually $40-$45
- Merch – T-Shirts are $25-$30
- Merch – Hoodies are $45-$55
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blairwoodsmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairwoodsofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blairwoodsofficial/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/blairwoodsmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeDzmjV4yeKJFd35UXSZEAw/featured
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZhzqxlfE5BYMi7AKgBcWA?si=fdax4BKVS8ulmFF_i5KyZQ
Image Credits
Lexi Flamand Photography Dustin Foster Photography Jimmy Pearson Sunny Amara
