Although I’m a Member of the Recording Academy, I’m also realistic about my standing in the music community. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a household name or someone that readers of Rolling Stone magazine see mentioned regularly in articles published through that legendary publication.
Yet, it is still tough to get my attention with a song you want heard. And like so many other things, timing is key.
Last night I returned from the Alabama/Florida border, where I had been for four days, listening to a lot of live music (original, obviously) at the 41st Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Between that and the fact that sometimes – like so many other people – no music at all is a much-needed respite, getting me to listen to a new song by an artist I’m not familiar with is an uphill climb.
As a quick aside, this is – as I’m often heard saying on my weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast – a teaching moment. Re-read the two prior paragraphs and then lay that as a blueprint over the music industry people that you’re trying to get in front of for various opportunities you’re hoping to get from them.
All that being said, the day before I left town last week, a song came across my desk that got my attention, I liked, and I stuck around for all three minutes and nine seconds of. Again, with zero ego, I say to Ishtar, the artist, congratulations. That's not real easy to do.
Truthfully, this single should be on its way to accomplishing that with plenty of others in the music community because of what it has and what it doesn’t have.
Two years ago, the singer, songwriter, recording artist, and audio engineer released her first single. Fast forward to three months ago and she put out a four-song EP called, “Forever Homesick.”
As for the pseudo title track, specifically, I like the vibe. A song called “Homesick” should feel the way Ishtar’s track does. Maybe I’m jaded by other songs that get sent to me, but I'm glad it didn't take a turn towards, say, dance. It's a nice R&B sound that conveys the mood of the song's message. I also like that there are references to “you,” so the listener can apply being homesick to either where they're from or a person.
Consider: She (pictured at right) starts off singing, “I ain’t even got it like that, but I’m at peace here. Seasons changing pretty fast this time of year. Watching all the colors change on the leaves I miss you more when I feel autumn breeze.” It sounds like she’s referring to a place.
Later when she sings, “Lately I’ve been thinking about you. Lately I’ve been longing for you,” your mind changes and assumes it’s a somebody and not a someplace. And to leave it open to the listener’s interpretation like that I say, bravo, Ishtar. From a songwriting standpoint, well done.
Countless guests come on my podcast and talk about just wanting people to feel something when they hear that interviewee’s music. Ishtar has accomplished that with “Homesick” if it makes people feel a longing for a someone or a somewhere.
It would’ve also been easy to have drums building to a big crescendo, but production-wise Ishtar laid back and let the emotion of the song sit right where she knew the listener would get “all up in the feels,” to use a common expression.
Equally important, the production lets Ishtar’s voice flourish. When you’re putting out your first single or your first EP, it’s an introduction of yourself and this gift that is your voice. This artist’s voice needs to be heard and is given such an opportunity on this track.
I’m not surprised that the track has started to get some traction on her Spotify page even though it’s less than three months old. I can foresee coming back to it in a month or two and the total number of streams on it being double what they are now.
Put your ears on this song and keep your eyes on this artist.
Now a Member of the Recording Academy, I have been helping indie music artists, authors, actors, entrepreneurs, podcasters, filmmakers, small business owners, and more for over twenty years. What challenges are you having in your creator career that I can lend some insight to? Connect with me so you can take advantage of all my experience, and I can help and keep you moving forward.