Tunezy is a commerce platform that allows content creators to sell experiences to their fans, including back-stage passes, meet and greets, Skype chats, and pre-show dinners. Tunezy offers a professional online storefront through its web platform, Facebook widget, and website widget. Tunezy has worked with thousands of content creators with a combined following of over 10 million fans, including musicians, vloggers and online personalities. Director of Marketing Gloria Chik Guest Bloggers Dee Chow
After my last post went up, â2014 EMC Festivals to Mark in your Agendaâ, I got a few puzzled looks and comments over social channels that went a little like this: âlol, you spelled EDC wrongâ or âWhatâs EMC?â.
The industry term, electronic dance music (EDM), is what the genre is most commonly known as. We like to look at the bigger picture: Electronic music culture (EMC).
We coined the term âelectronic music cultureâ to encompass the overall fan experience that comes from an artistic, visual, and interactive EDM performance. Itâs defined as âa global generational movement driven by a rapidly developing community of avid followers among the millennial generation.â
EDM isnât just about attending the concert put on by your favorite DJ. Itâs the 3-day festival with not just one, but all (if youâre lucky) of the biggest names in the industry. Itâs meticulously packing your outfits for the trip, getting to the venue, and taking in the sights and sounds while surrounded by tens of thousands of like-minded youth. Itâs coming home from the festival, still reeling from all that happened, and looking forward to planning for the next one.
If youâre not sure where to start, check out Tomorrowlandâs Global Journey. Festival-goers can purchase travel packages that cover details of a trip to Tomorrowland from the moment of take off to the return journey home. The packages can be customized to each personâs personal situation and preferences, with flight, train, and accommodation options. After purchasing your Global Journey package, all you need to do is show up and have a ball.
So, what is EMC, you ask? Itâs the sum of each personal experience for all things EDM. Simply put, itâs the whole shebang.
What is electronic music culture to you? Let us know in the comments!
Itâs a new year and a new you, with resolutions to make 2014 your best year yet. What better way is there to kick it off than planning some trips to some of the worldâs biggest and most anticipated EDM festivals? This list will have you jetsetting and road tripping around the USA, and who knows? You might just find yourself globetrotting across the big, blue pond.
What: Ultra Music Festival
When: March 28-30, 2014
Where: Miami, FL
Downtown Miami has been bumpinâ since 1999 with the Ultra Music Festival at the Bayfront Park. With over 330,000 in attendance at last yearâs outdoor bash, Ultra is ramping up for another mind-blowing festival with headliners like Afrojack, Zedd, Armin Van Buuren, and Kaskade. Did we mention the unreal ocean view? If youâre itching for a more global experience, Ultra Buenos Aires (February 21-22) and Ultra Japan (September 27-28) are also happening this year. Itâs never too early to book your flights.
What: Electronic Daisy Carnival (EDC)
When: June 20-22, 2014
Where: Las Vegas, NV
The worldâs largest and most renown festival of EDM culture, EDC is the perfect destination for first-timers and old-timers alike. Living up to its name, EDC boasts carnival rides, theatrical and dance performances, interactive art installations, and of course, weâll be expecting a killer lineup this year. In addition to the O.G. festival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, EDC will also be taking place in Mexico (March 15-16), New York (May 24-25), London, Puerto Rico, and Orlando (dates TBD) this year - you know, in case you wanted to go for round two. Or three. Or six.
What: Paradiso Festival
When: June 28-29, 2014
Where: George, WA
If you havenât experienced the summertime in the Pacific Northwest, youâve truly been missing out. The temperature is always just right, and itâs quite literally a breath of fresh air. Paradiso takes place at the Gorge Amphitheater, a natural venue about 2.5 hours out from Seattle, WA with a stunning view overlooking the Columbia River. It currently takes the cake as the largest EDM event in the PNW, complete with amusement park rides, art installations, and some pretty wild theatrics. If youâre looking for a real getaway and electrifying festival experience, Paradiso is it.
What: Tomorrowland
When: July 18-20 and July 25-27, 2014
Where: De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
If youâre feeling extra adventurous, eurotrip your way over to Belgium for Tomorrowland, the worldâs mecca of EDM festivals is happening for two weekends in July. The lineup has yet to be announced, but with bigwigs like TiĂ«sto, Steve Aoki, Avicii, and David Guetta on last yearâs roster, you can bet it wonât disappoint. 10 years in the making and topping 180,000 in attendance in 2013, Tomorrowland is a vibrant and fascinating place that will delight all your senses.
Which festivals will you be hitting up this year? Know some festivals we should include in our next feature? Let us know!
Well, another year another series of events. Can't believe it's Tunezy's second holiday season, and my have things changed, progressed, and grown on our end.
Some Highlights:
Moving into the BNotions Office
Hosting experiences with Landon Austin, Naughty by Nature, Clara C, Max Schneider, David Choi, and DigiFest to name just a few.
Introducing Wishes
Our BIG SFX Entertainment announcementÂ
Moving to New York City
And there's still 2014 to look forward to! Can't wait to share what's brewing with you soon since we've migrated. Keep in touch:
Tunezy, a commerce platform for entertainers, has entered an agreement to be purchased by SFX Entertainment, the largest global producer of live events focused on electronic music culture (EMC). Since January 2012, Tunezy has been committed to helping musicians and fans connect over custom music experiences. The concept earned Tunezy coveted awards with Billboard Music and Canadian Music Week.
"We are very excited to be joining SFX Entertainment to further our passion to help musicians connect with fans around the world,â said Fung. âWith the phenomenal growth of electronic music culture over the last few years, there is no doubt that we are joining a company that will create fun and authentic events and initiatives for music lovers. We believe that the company's aspirations to revolutionize the music industry aligns strongly with our vision."
What's that mean for our Tunezy users? We'll still be offering the same service, and the site will continue to support musicians and artists in their quest to making a good living via experiences.
Be sure to learn more about our recent news through our press release: http://tnzy.co/TunezySFXRelease
Tunezy, is an award-winning social media company led by CEO Derrick Fung, focused on connecting music artists with their fans. Tunezy has worked with thousands of content creators with a combined following of over 10 million fans, including musicians, vloggers and online personalities.Â
Experiences are designed to generate revenue for tours, concerts, album releases, or for an artist releasing new content. For over the past year, we've helped artists build ticketed experiences for fans to enjoy new music, and to get to know their favorite artists even better.
Here's Max, a musician who doesn't often need any introductions. With over 390,000+ subscribers and 18M views, he's got a pretty dedicated set of fans. He's heading out on a 6 city tour with Jordan Pruitt and Victoria Justice, and will earn an extra $15,000 from pre-show concerts. Here's the break down of how:
Max Schneider performed a VIP pre-concert show for 50 fans in 6 cities on his most recent US tour. The package included:
A private and exclusive set for a select group of fans
A signed poster
Meet and greet
10% off all merchandise at the concert
 Learn more about how Max earned over $15,000 on tour, in his Tunezy Case Study
Throughout the past year, itâs been proven here and here that the fans on Tunezy are creative, dedicated and sure know how to create lasting memories (more gang signs anyone?) Â We also know you bunch can get competitive, fierce and when youâre loyal - wow you're loyal!
Well letâs battle it out shall we? Weâve rounded up the Top 5 Most Popular Fan Wishes  for our You Tube stars right now to see whoâs on top ...
Most Popular Fan Wish #5
This is way better than birthday cake. Much much better.
Most Popular Fan Wish #4
Letâs make this a bit more flexible. Google Hangout or Facetime works just fine too Max!
Most Popular Fan Wish #3
Well we hope itâs actually more than just saying hi. How about some acapella over the line?
Most Popular Fan Wish #2
Good one! What song would you pick?
Most Popular Fan Wish #1
We love how this wish is super specific. Landon gets the who,what,where and even why of this request.
Our takeaways? Think you can think of something of more clever and cool to gain your fave artistâs attention? We want to see what you can come up with!
Create your own wish on Tunezy.com or ârewishâ any of the wishes above!
Viral this, viral that - is there a clear recipe for success when it comes to writing new music? Understanding the relationship between the makings of a song and its success on the charts is what the science of making a hit track is all about.
 Certain features such as length, tempo, loudness and danceability are just some of the things UK based researchers at the University of Bristol have incorporated into what they call âthe hit equation.â In all they found 23 key features that distinguish a song (see graphic.)
The equation doesnât always tell the whole story though. It generally predicts a hit 6/10 times. There are many external factors that impact a hit, such as the bands prior popularity and marketing budget.Â
 Just looking at the audio though, it turns out that there are only a few key features that make the difference between a hit and a flop. Here they are:
 Volume
Music in all categories is getting louder. Think about Radioactive by Imagine Dragons the song has a particularly loud quality to it, especially an explosive chorus.Â
Beat Variation
Turns out that a changing beat between verse, chorus and bridge is a quality that also helps push a song to the top of the charts. Bruno Marsâ Locked out of Heavenis a great example. The song moves from a popping reggae beat to a top 40 anthem for the chorus. Other elements such as handclaps are thrown into the mix as well.Â
Danceability
Almost all hits today have some element that makes the song âdance friendlyâ. Unexpected changes in the rhythm of a song, known as syncopation, make songs danceable. You can find this in all forms of popular music. Daft Punkâs Get Luckymakes use of syncopated rhythms that make you just want to get up and dance.
Harmonic Simplicity
50 years ago simple songs were the most popular until around 1980 when more complexity in pop music was preferred; however, in the last few years the research suggests that this trend may have been reversed with simplicity back on top. A lot of country hits are just simple 3 or 4 chords. Taylor swiftâs 22 is just 4 chords but still packs a punch!
Itâs almost officially the first day of Summer and we all know what that means... right? Rooftops, patios, Summer festivals, outdoor concerts ⊠and hopefully a Tunezy Fan Experience!
Weâre loving all the creativity from our fans and weâve been getting some super creative wishes, so weâve rounded up the Top 5 Funniest Fan Wishes. Read on to see if you make the list...
Funniest Fan Wish #1
For Cathy Nguyen -- âMake me a sammichâ
What we want to know is-- will Cathy go full out gourmet (fancy mustards, imported cheeses) or stick to the good old peanut butter and jelly?
Funniest Fan Wish #2
For Landon Austin -- "I want to go to an indoor trampoline park with you"
Um, these exist? Can we come?
Funniest Fan Wish #3
For Jason Chen  -- "Letâs build a fort. A massive, 30 person fort"
Smart. Â This fan is really smart. Secretly disguising his wish as a way to get free physical labour.
Funniest Fan Wish #4
For David Choi -- âI want to go on a hot air balloon ride and eat fluffernutters with youâ
For those of you that donât know, a fluffernutter is a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow creme. Yum. Maybe Cathy and her fan could come along with for the ride after her sammies are made.
For Funniest Fan Wish #5
Andrew Huang -- âLetâs go out on the street and steal catsâ
Will Andrew or the fan get to keep these cats?
Did any of these wishes hit home for you?
Remember to âRewishâ any of the wishes above or create your own wish on Tunezy.com! Letâs see who get their wish granted before the start of Summer!
It was our first time out at Palm Desert for the Coachella Music Festival, soaking up the sun and enjoying the incredible and perpetual line up of music. While passes had long been sold out, we were so lucky to get our hands on some VIPs so we could saunter in and celebrity spot.
The west coast is such an incredible place - from the hot spring/summer days to the cool desert evenings, not only did you have a wide array of fashion stomp the grounds, but a drastically different music experience as the sun set. Hint hint: Tunezy has a few West Coast Experiences coming right up in May as well with some of our new artists.
Here are a few of our grand highlights:
OUR FAVORITE ARTISTS:
METRIC, The XX, PHOENIX, and TAME IMPALA. Need we say more? The best of indie, new wave, and more graced the multiple stages. We loved our fellow Canadian artists Metric as Emily Haines belted out too many good tunes to count with an acoustic that was more than unbelievable. The XX killed it as per usual, though we have to admit the music may have been ill-fitting for the massive venue. Phoenix and R. Kelly (NOT Daft Punk, as was rumored all day). Tame Impala had everyone wild with their smash hit "Elephant" and cool Aussie vibe.
OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS:
Major Lazer jumping into a giant bubble and rolling over the crowd. Blister in the Sun by the Violent Femmes, getting everyone up on their feet and dancing in the blazing heat. Despite the song being so wonderfully aged, knowing that music has the power to inspire the masses is something to be in awe of.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS:
Things we absolutely couldn't live without - the Coachella App (very on-point, allowing you to plan your shows and set reminders), sweet FRUTTARE bars that we hoarded from their hangout at Coachella, a handy Samsung S3 (yeah, we're fanatics in the office for Android), and WATER. Lots of it.
That's a wrap, Coachella 2013. While weekend 2 is going on, we're busy at work on some new experiences (have you seen our most recent experience offerings)?
Glam rock comes to life with the help of the fantastic foursome from the Los Angeles-based band, Young Beautiful in a Hurry (YBH). If the name enough doesnât make you kick start your day thinking Carpe Diem! then the genre-mixing sounds of this pop/rock group certainly will. YBH formed in 2011 under the wing of accomplished songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist, Brendan McCreary. Other band members include Bryan Taylor on drums, Pete Griffin on bass and Chris Norton on keyboards.
Self described as ârock, pop - in that orderâ YBH is not just about feel-good music. Addictively listenable, YBHâs sound is easily compared to that of a modern day Queen: infectious, life-changing and with a little bit of innovative quirk thrown in.
And if we were to just gather the facts here, their songs have been featured on everything and anything, including 90210, Battlestar Galactica, and The Walking Dead, to name a few.
Today we chat with Brendan, the mastermind behind the group as he tells us about his songwriting inspirations and whatâs in store for this popular band, including their new EP!
'Young Beautiful in a Hurry' is such a unique name for a band - tell us about it.
I think it means a lot of things to different people, but for me, itâs about ambition and forward motion. Itâs about overcoming adversity. Itâs about being true to yourself.
Young Beautiful in a Hurry is actually a figure of speech my mother still says to this day. Ever since I was a kid, Iâve heard her proudly declaring this to the universe time and time again. So that notion, Young Beautiful in a Hurry, sort of fused itself into my worldview. As a band name itâs been really fantastic.
How did the band come together in 2011?
Well, myself and drummer, Bryan, have been playing together since 2005/2006. Bryan is easily one of the most versatile and musical drummers Iâve ever worked with. Heâs got the chops and control of Vinnie Colaiuta and Paul Mabury, but when he wants or needs to, he can unleash like John Bonham or Keith Moon.
In November of 2011, I fronted a Freddie Mercury tribute band and met our bassist Pete through that. Pete was formerly the bassist in Zappa Plays Zappa and occasionally tours with Dethklok. I was blown away when he offered his skills to YBH.
After that weâve had a revolving door of amazing musicians that play with us. Chris Norton on keys (Zappa Plays Zappa), sometimes my brother Bear McCreary sits in (composer of Walking Dead, Battlestar Galactica), Raya Yarbough on vocals and backing vocals, Paul Cartwright on mandolin and or fiddle. Depending on the show weâre putting on, weâll introduce and highlight different musicians to showcase our music whether itâs a large rock show or an intimate acoustic show. Â
Which genre would you categorize your music under and why?
Rock/Pop - Â in that order. In todayâs musical landscape, the number of genre and sub-genre classifications is intimidating. The thing that is quite liberating about YBH, is it sort of defies genre, certainly in the niche variety. We really aim to appeal to a wide audience; from soulful pop crooners like âI Got Loveâ, to the rock and roll bombast of âStuck on the Girlâ (from our forthcoming release), these songs are extremely diverse, but all YBH. So rock/pop it is!
Where do you draw inspiration from while writing a song and what's the creative process that the band follows while making music?
In general, I find inspiration is like fickle lovers. Theyâve got you in ecstasy some days, and other days you canât get them on the phone. As a result, my songwriting can be frenetic.
Some days Iâll write, produce and record a song over the weekend. Other times a song will take literally years to finish. Sometimes my inspiration comes in a free-flowing, blank canvas, and I just throw notes on the page and wonderful things happen, while other times the scalpel, protractor, and scientific method are my tools.
In any case, as a songwriter I pull inspiration from everywhere. People I meet, conversations Iâve had, past times, future times, various lovers and friends, the list goes on and on.
With the band, most often, Iâll put together a functional demo of a tune and bring it in, and weâll hash it out from there. However, more and more these days I may just bring an acoustic guitar and vocal to Pete and Bryan and we work it out together from there. The songs never stop growing. Â Â Â
Tell us bout your new EP that is coming out soon.
Our new EP is a collection of hard hitting triple-threat rock songs that will have you jumping out of your chair. There are seven tunes in total, and they range from epic stadium bangers, to emotionally introspective ballads. I canât wait to get these tunes out into the world. They really showcase how the band has grown and changed since we started. There are tunes on this record that are unlike anything anyone has heard before. Minds will be blown. Plus weâre recording more over the summer!
What can your fans expect from you in 2013?
They can expect a whole bevy of new material surfacing for the first time, from our new record, and our new singles, to new songs being played at the shows.
Weâre pretty backlogged in content, and weâre planning on rolling it out over the course of the year and into 2014. Weâve also got 5 music videos in pre-production which I am dying to start filming, and we just finished up our second video for âDonât Stop Me Nowâ, which we will be unveiling in April! So thereâs a whole lot of YBH going around.
* * *
We can't wait to check out the new EP! In the mean time, stay connected to YBH online and don't forget to make a wish for them on Tunezy!
What does it really take to get noticed by industry experts and recording stars like Bif Naked and Jully Black? Well, a fiery personality, catchy melodies and a guitar doesn't hurt. Meet Ivy James. She's only 16-years old, but Ivy already possesses a songwriting talent and a musical maturity well beyond her years.
With lyrics like âI didnât need my second chance so I threw it awayâ from 'Your Escape (Nateâs Song)' and âitâs so pointless wishing on burnt out starsâ from 'Thunder', itâs pretty clear - Â Ivyâs foray into the music world is not temporary. Armed with just her guitar, Ivy recorded and released her self-titled debut EP in June 2012 filled with six self-written heart-twisting acoustic melodies. In October 2012, Ivy won Best Young Songwriter at the Toronto Independent Music awards and ironic enough - wasn't even able attend the awards show because she was under 19.
While you can hear a pop-rock influence attributable to her musical inspirations, Avril Lavigne and Marianas Trench, Ivyâs work is unique, notably for her distinct vocals and riveting, vulnerable lyrics, which comes as no surprise as sheâs previously described performing as âscreaming your secrets on stage.âÂ
What's next? Well she was selected to play at the 2013 Canadian Music Week and actually just performed last night, on March 20!
We had a brief chat with the rising starlet as she prepped for the CMW festival.
What was the defining moment in your life that helped you decide that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
I think Iâve always had this thought in the back of my head which said, "hey, it would be really cool if I could write songs and sing them for people." I never thought it would get this far. Â My defining moment was probably when a girl I had never met came up to me and showed me she had my songs on her iPod. Â That was when I realized music was no longer a hobby and that I really wanted to take this as far as I could.
You were named "Best Young Songwriter" at the Toronto Independent Music Awards in 2012. Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing a song?
I get inspiration from a lot of things, usually from whatever's happening in my life at the moment. Â It's an amazing outlet. Â If I'm upset or angry, instead of bottling things up, I can just write a song and get it off my chest. Â I would say 99% of my songs are about things I've gone through and how Iâve dealt with them.
You've been involved with several local charities. Tell us about the organizations you support and why you chose to be involved.
I love charity shows! Â I've been lucky enough to be able to work with great charities like CYAN, Big Brothers, Rotary Cheshire Homes and the Canadian Helen Keller Centre. It's extremely important to me to help people in any way I can, even if that's just by playing my music to help people have a good time. Â
I've been involved with these charities for years and have met so many amazing people along the way. Â I have a special personal connection with every charity that I choose to work with.
What do you hope to achieve in 2013?
I just recorded a bunch of new songs. Â In 2013, I hope I can keep writing, keep playing and release more music. Â I am so excited for my show at Canadian Music Week tonight!
* * *
Visit Ivy online here
Like Ivy on Facebook
Tweet Ivy on Twitter
Watch Ivy on YouTube
Donât forget to make a wish for Ivy on Tunezy!
Photo Credit:Â Trent Sluiter, Fedora Media
Naughty by Nature in New York. Sounds like a sweet Sunday to us! Tunezy was proud to present a VIP dinner along with some merch packages and experiences tied to the NBN performance at Gramercy Theatre.
Fans were treated to a steak dinner along with their platinum and dinner packages on Tunezy, where the guys brought along wicked OPP cupcakes, in celebration of 20 years of Hip Hop Hooray.
Vinny, Kay Gee, and Treach were fantastic hosts, welcoming their biggest fans from New York area to enjoy a great meal, go backstage, and hang out at an intimate afterparty following a packed show for over 500 rap fanatics.
Special thanks to Ben and Jack's, Naughty by Nature, and Hot New Hip Hop. Also thanks to our fans that purchased experiences, we'll be sharing some testimonials, we're sure to make you feel left out.
Want access to more events coming up? Be sure to check out the main page of our marketplace on Tunezy.com.
Grab your boots and a glass of red. The urban cowgirl has arrived. Meet Jacelyn Holmes - singer, songwriter, guitarist and energizer bunny. Â With her bewitching eyes and seductive smile, itâs easy to see why this lovely lady started off her career as an actress. Lucky for us, she soon switched gears to the musical side of things and well, just listen to this.
Unlike an ordinary country crooner, Jacelyn blends her smooth, cooing vocals with a bit of jazz, pop and rock to create a new fusion of genres and alternative country sound that is distinctly hers and hers alone. Jacelyn was made for this, and if her natural passion doesn't win you over, then her bubbly, beaming personality sure will.
Jacelynâs debut EP 'As Is' was released November 2010 to widespread acclaim, and oh hey - she's picked up myriad of regional music awards too - no big deal. This past December, Jacelyn released her holiday single, 'Waiting for Christmas' to positive acclaim, heavy radio airplay and went on tour with the award-winning band, The Sugar Devils.
This songstress may be an Ontario-native, but she's a world traveler and has performed all over the globe, including headlining a Starbucks acoustic tour and showcasing at Canadian Music Week. Â Jacelyn's on her way to country stardom and we're tagging along for the ride with our boots in tow.
How did your debut EP 'As Is' come together and how did it feel to receive immediate recognition when your songs 'Growin' Up' and 'Speechless' were featured in the 2011 movie Sophie?
I am fairly new at expressing myself creatively through singing and songwriting. My first project, 'As Is', felt very organic and I listened to my intuition when it came to manifesting the sound I heard in my head. It was an amazing opportunity to work with my friends who happened to be incredible musicians and wanted to help me on my musical journey.
When my first single 'Growin' Up' was picked to be the theme song for the feature film "Sophie" I was absolutely shocked! Truly, I was so thrilled to be a part of a movie in a way that I have never ever been before. The movie then took another one of my songs, 'Speechless' to use in the movie and I was officially on Cloud 9 at that point.
What was it like transitioning from an entertainer and actress to a musician?
It felt natural. Although I miss acting now, I knew I had to focus my attention on growing within the musical community if I wanted to be taken seriously. Performing on stage, behind the camera or with a band is all the same language to me - being present and vulnerable. Although, some people may be happy to hear that I am getting back into acting in 2014!
Your single 'Growin' Up' has been called "a thoughtful exploration of love and loss in the battlefield of relationships". What was your inspiration for this song?
This song was inspired by a past relationship, one that dragged on longer than it should have because I felt comfortable. Often many girls do this - they mistake comfort for love. I knew there were many red flags in our relationship, like verbal bullying, but I chose to ignore them because I was afraid of losing the person I thought I was going to marry.
When you find the strength to take a healthy risk, it really opens your eyes and you realize you were so wrong! Often, writing songs is a way to work through all areas of my life and if a common theme keeps appearing in my writing sessions, I know I need to do something about it.
You have been working with the youth organization TAP (Turn Around Projects). Tell us more about the organization and your involvement with them.
Turn Around Projects is amazing! My close friend Tiffany Stull is the co-founder of this organization. She also has a full time job and has a newborn baby. I feel so privileged to be called upon to assist in different ways. I perform to raise money for projects and programs, and I traveled to Jamaica this past summer and worked with disenfranchised youth in music and theatre.
In Canada, the youth are so blessed to have the freedom to express themselves in many shapes and forms, without judgment and often with encouragement. This is not the case in Jamaica. The barriers that stand in the way of these defenseless children would leave even adults in North America crippled, but somehow they push on.
This is why it is imperative we open our hearts, minds, talents and wallets to giving back, not just to our own communities, but internationally as well. Otherwise, we fail each other. The kids in Jamaica are now my brothers and sisters and I will never stop loving them and encouraging them to follow their dreams. Funny enough, I reached out because I wanted to help and offer change, and in turn they changed me more than I could have ever known.
What are your goals for this year and what can your fans look forward to in 2013?
As well as writing and performing in Canada, I am thrilled that I will be traveling and performing in a lot of other countries. This year, I am also launching a special company called "OurSong", which takes the stories of those getting married, engaged or celebrating an anniversary and wish to have their own song. OurSong will be a personal project of mine where I will be writing all the songs for these lucky couples!
Also, we hope to track another single on country radio stations this summer since our Christmas single, "Waiting For Christmas" was received well by listeners across Canada.
* * *
Visit Jacelyn online here
Like Jacelyn on Facebook
Tweet Jacelyn on Twitter
Watch Jacelyn on YouTube
Make a wish for Jacelyn on Tunezy, and she might just fulfill it!
Photo Credits:Â Lindsay Altoft
We have a new face in town - welcome to Chi, our new Director of Business Development. His experiences span from big companies to start ups, and will be bringing on board some wicked new talent to the Tunezy platform.
Read after the jump for a little more on Chi's background:
Who are you and where did you come from?
Well, I was born in Taiwan and moved to Canada when I was really young. I started my first business as a freshman in high school buying cellphones in bulk and selling them on eBay. My background's in finance as I worked in NYC and SF as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs and then later as an associate for Summit Partners. However, I wasn't passionate only working with large multi-billion dollar companies and I was more interested in web startups. I left finance and co-founded my own company TheDealPages.com, a daily deal aggregator, and then later worked at Pressly.com, an HTML5 tablet publishing platform before coming to Tunezy.com. I'm passionate about helping startups grow and the intersection between technology, music and design.Â
Who are some of your favourite artists on Tunezy?
I love Naughty by Nature since they were one of the first artists to introduce me to the world of Hip-Hop when I was young. I loved the fact that they pushed the boundaries and crossed the Pop and Hip-Hop genres with their sample of Michael Jacksons "ABC" for their hit-song "O.P.P.". I also really like the creativity in all of Mike Tompkins videos. He's Canadian!
What's one interesting thing about you that people don't know
A lot of people don't know that I write rhymes as an outlet and I sample and create my own songs. I have a mini-studio setup at home with my turntables, keyboard, guitar, a few mics, MPC drum pads and I like to invite friends over who play different live instruments for a Hip-Hop jam session.
What's your dream Fan Experience?
My dream fan experience would be to hang out with Jay-Z and his crew backstage or chill at an after party with him to experience what it would be like to be a part of his entourage. A really close second would be if Carly Rae Jepsen would "Call Me Maybe?".
Follow Chi on Twitter at @allyoucanchi or add him to LinkedIn.Â
What do you get when you mix a comedic superstar, fresh mango salad rolls and the Tunezy Marketplace together? Add in enthusiastic Vancouverites, a Japanese YouTuber and it's a Tunezy experience like none other.
Last week, Vancouver welcomed the musical genius known as Gunnarolla to town. With upbeat witty songs about sushi, fonts and anything random - Gunnarolla has earned an insanely loyal following, prompting Tumblr fan pages and nearly 11 million views on YouTube.
With Tunezy, Gunnarolla offered an exclusive Vancouverolla package for a private dinner with himself and other fans at local Thai hotspot, Pink Elephant. It's no surprise this experience sold out like Vancouver Japadogs (trust us, that's fast), thus prompting Gunarolla to also plan a meetup prior to dinner to greet all the other fans who didn't act fast enough to grab a ticket.
We ate, we laughed, we taped video segments with @Ciela and we admired Gunnarolla's black vest.Â
Drumroll please, we give you the Top 5 Memories from Vancouverolla:
1 You Don't Make Friends with Salad
Calling it 'indulgent' wouldn't do justice to the variety and portion sizes offered at Pink Elephant's chef's table. Charcoal-grilled lamb loin chops, and 3 flavored deep-fried black cod? Great food is definitely a preface to a great night.
2 Vancouverolla Fashion Week
Included in the Tunezy experience package was a limited edition Vancouverolla t-shirt. Gunarolla hosted a brief shirt-off between 2 fans and did a ton of Sharpie magic (thanks for the Sugar Jones reminder!) while one fan, Salina, was busy plotting how to make her shirt fashion week ready - check it out here. Nice work lady!
3 Up Close and Personal
Gunnarolla was the man of the hour and chatted up the night with one-on-one conversations with every single person in the room. He also may or may not have shared his deepest, darkest secrets with us. Only we shall know who the true viewers of his Comic Sans music video are - shh - we're not telling!
4 Warm Bodies
The night wouldn't have been possible without the loyal support from his fans. There was a hoard of creative minds present, including fellow YouTubers and local musicians. The energy was magnetic and the atmosphere was buzzing. Thanks to special guest @Ciela, and fans Salina, Russ, LeeAnn, Joi, Nicole, Rosalind, Scott, Victor and everyone else.
5 For Life
Vancouverolla will forever go down as the night when the first Gunnarolla gang sign was created.
A big thank you again to Gunnarolla, Ciela, Pink Elephant and the incredible fans that came out and partied until the restaurant shut down (literally).Â
Gunnarolla has another experience available on Tunezy right now - this time in his hometown of Toronto with fellow bestie, Andrew. Don't miss out and grab your ticket here!
Also, check out our Marketplace to see what other experiences and adventures are going on around the world!
***
Like Gunnarolla on Facebook
Tweet Gunnarolla on Twitter
Watch Gunnarolla on YouTube
Follow Gunnarolla on Tunezy here
We can add another Simone to the world of powerhouse musicians. Â Like Nina before her, Andria Simone commands the stage with her authoritative vocals, sensual-cathartic croons and emotive presence. Â Armed with her throaty raspy voice and adventurous spirit, this soul-pop singer/songwriter is undeniably en route to being in the of mix of reigning female songstresses like Adele, Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse and hey - she already has the readymade initial âAâ.
Andriaâs debut EP âNothing Comes Easyâ was released this past October, full of catchy melodies, upbeat explicit female anthems and soulful ballads already garnering goosebumps and buzz within the music industry.
Hailing from Toronto, Andria has seen and experienced much of the world over her 24 years, but thatâs not to say itâs been an easy journey. After watching just a snippet from her music video for the single âShameâ, youâd never believe Andria barely passed high school vocal class, or that she had to work to gain the confidence to pursue her natural craft. Â We chat with this rising superstar about her musical journey, her debut EP and grab some words of advice.
Describe the journey that led you to become a singer and songwriter?
As a kid, I always wrote my feelings down and sang about them  - but I didnât even make it into elementary school choir (we were 8 years old... every kid made it) and barely passed high school vocals. All these things made me insecure about pursuing music when I was young, which worked out for the better because I still had a lot of confidence and maturity to gain. Â
After high school, I traveled to Lviv, Ukraine where I stayed with uncle for three months. I owe a lot to him as he pushed me into music by signing me up for flute, piano and vocal lessons with a gypsy named Zita, and sent me to Spain and Wales for writing courses.
I only had 2 CDs with me at the time, Michael Buble and Amy Winehouse. Â I learned and mimicked the entire Back to Black album and thought to myself - Wow if I can do that, I can be a singer and you know what - I will. I came back to Toronto feeling like a brand new woman - and just started telling people I was a singer! Â
You're currently signed with Artist-tree Music Group as their flagship artist. How were you discovered?
One night I met this young handsome man outside of a club. Â I told him I was a singer and he said he was a producer, so I jumped on the opportunity by singing him an Alicia Keys song. Â
We worked together for a year or so and afterwards I kept exploring and working with different people, but they never quite understood me.
Around 2011, Demetri James enters the picture as a referral from a good friend. We met at Starbucks to get a vibe for each other and there was an instant musical attraction from both ends. Â We set a date to meet Demetriâs mentor, Greg Kavanagh, and as soon as I met Greg I knew that was it - these are my guys! Â We hopped on the Soul Train, never to look back.Â
What are the perks of being involved in the songwriting process for your music?
Being involved in itself is the most important part as I find songwriting very therapeutic. I don't think I could constantly be singing someone else's feelings.
Obviously, there are amazing songwriters out there but it doesn't feel authentic coming from me. Â I'm also biased because I've always been a part of my writing, and I want people who enjoy my music to really know me on all levels. Â However, that's not to say I would never sing a cover or sing a song written for me, but the more hands-on and involved I can be, the better. Â
Your song "Do What I Want" is a strong song with an obvious theme of feminism in it. Do you consider yourself a feminist?
I love being a woman! We hold a lot of power, and sometimes, we don't even realize it.  But -- I love men too and we would be pretty frustrated without them. I simply want to make it clear how important females are and we should never devalue ourselves. We females need to stand up for what we believe in and back up our fellow sisters.  We donât need to turn on each other or get catty; we need to stick together and share ideas  - this is when we're at our strongest.
As for the song, I'm not a big fan of rules and I never have been, so Iâll never be in a controlling relationship. Â If any man tries to alter my independence ...Iâll show him the door. Â Fortunately, none have tried yet -- maybe they listened to that song!
Which is your personal favorite track from your debt EP "Nothing Comes Easy" and why?
'Nothing Comes Easy' - Â the title says it all. Â If it comes easy - what's the fun in that? Â I love learning from trial and error. Â I am not a perfectionist by any means, but I love constant improvement, and believe there should never be a limit to learning. If perfection is your goal, you'll just be driving yourself crazy. The influence for this song came from a person who had a tough time accepting failure.
A piece of advice for all the people who want to follow their dream of becoming a musician but have limitations to pursue it as a career?
First and foremost, no matter the limitations, make sure you're pursuing this for yourself. Then, the people who want to bring you down won't matter. Â
Also, just be intensely passionate about what you do. You should feel successful just from being able to play an instrument or being able to sing, and if people end up enjoying what you do, all the better. Â If you have this mindframe, the âno'sâ wonât sting as much.
Some people have it, some people donât. After watching Rushilâs debut single and music video, âHere and There,â nobody would deny this 18-year old has raw charisma, true passion and songwriting flair. Â
Itâs hard to believe this is Rushilâs debut music video. The artistic grit and intensity poured into this breathtaking video, combined with the deep emotion in his voice make Rushil more than just a man with his guitar.Â
If Rushilâs remarkable rich, ragged voice doesnât seduce you -- then his creative courage will.Â
Influenced by different upbringings in India, England, and Cyprus, Rushil has been studying law at the acclaimed University of Oxford. However, he is also embarking on a musical journey to create a new future for himself, by choosing music over legal contracts. To say this is a change would be understatement, as Rushil hopes to completely transform his possibilities and redefine himself.Â
Meet the man behind the music.Â
Q: You have described music as an "omnipresent force" in your life. Tell us about the musical influences in your childhood that shaped your personality as a musician. Â
A: As a child, there was a multitude of different genres around me. My mom used to listen to an old tape deck in the car, which had everything from reggae to old western country and everything in-between. I remember taking an extreme liking to blues when I was young, something I'm actually revisiting again.Â
From those genres, I slowly graduated into commercial punk rock bands like Green Day, which my friends were crazy about at the time.  I was about 15 when I started getting into the style of music that really molded me.  It was a combination of The Fray's How to Save a Life , John Mayer's Continuum, Counting Crows' Recovering the Satellites, Damien Rice's O and 9, and of course, Radiohead's OK Computer. That's where I'm at right now, but I come across new things everyday.
Some of the most inspirational influences for my music are accidental and subconscious things, things I'm not aware of until I look back months later.Â
Q: Your producer found you at the age of 14, when you were in a band with friends. How does it feel to be discovered at such a young age?
A: Honestly, writing and playing music is the only option I work with in my head when I try and picture the future. To be given the opportunity to actually do that is incredible. I only hope I keep doing this. Right now, I'm still balancing my education with music, but at some point I really hope to focus solely and completely on music. I've been told I'm young and I should be patient, but I honestly cannot wait for the next phase of my music career.
Q: What are some of the biggest hurdles youâve faced so far as a musician?
A: I suppose the largest hurdle for any musician, or anyone who wants to do something slightly off the beaten track for that matter, is the lack of belief due to the lack of stability that comes with this choice, which could be internal or external.
The resounding question from others is always: "But you know barely anyone makes it right?"Â
Regardless, I cannot see myself doing anything else apart from this, so I'll take my chances! Â I come from a family that strongly values highly regarded education and a stable job, so getting support was an issue. As a result, I'm balancing both music and an education, which is somewhat of a hurdle. I hope to completely overcome this and convince myself and others to completely believe in this musical journey.
Q: Talk about your upcoming album "Oscillations" and the release in January 2013.
A: Oscillations is a 13 song record that has been an emotional diary for me. It covers a large spread of time, as it contains songs I wrote 4 years ago, and songs I've written less than 4 months ago. Â I use writing as a "emotional exhaust pipe" and eventually decided to just choose a bunch of tracks and make an album out of it. It's something I'm really proud of and I cannot wait to see how itâs received. My team and I have been working on it for about a year and a half now.
Q: You are passionate about live performances, are you going to be touring soon?
A: There isnât anything planned for the immediate future, but my band and I will be playing sporadically from time to time around the UK, especially in Oxford. We'll definitely keep Tunezy posted!
Rushil recently released the debut album on January 3 so you may have seen him out and about all the web - since Oscillations reached #1 on the Cypriot iTunes chart!Â
* * *
Like Rushil on Facebook
Tweet Rushil on Twitter
Listen to Rushil here
Follow Rushil on Tunezy here
