Jaden Smith Releases His New Album ERYS – Stream It Now

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Jaden Smith released his new album called ERYS featuring Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, and Trinidad James. He dropped the 17-track album on Friday (July 5).
Jaden will be taking the album on tour this fall with Tyler, the Creator. He said in an interview that this album and upcoming tour is something no one has ever seen from him before. Stream Jaden’s new album ERYS below:

Interview With American Idol Top 40 Margie Mays

The Amazing and Authentic Margie Mays from Season 2 of ABC’s American Idol

American Idol phenom Margie Mays never expected her life to change so drastically almost a year ago. Raised in a small town of Wilmington, DE, and daughter to a family of a LOT of doctors, she recognized early on in life a passion for singing and entertaining but was encouraged to take the path of academia and sports. This didn’t let the blonde-haired, wide-eyed dreamer lose hope.

At a very young age, Margie created her own plan to achieve her dreams. With grit and determination, those dreams came true in the following years. At the age of eleven, she set her sights on Stanford University. Every step she took thereafter got her closer to the dream of moving to California to pursue a singing career even though she had no idea of exactly how she was going to do it. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class and, after taking a leap and only applying to one college, was accepted to Stanford University. She moved to California at the age of eighteen and never looked back.

Early on she joined a pop a cappella group and started getting external validation from people around her that she had a great voice and could sing. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Human Biology, she knew she would never be happy if she got a regular job like most of her friends were planning to do post-graduation. Instead, she packed up all of her belongings, handed her diploma to her parents, applied to the only music school in Los Angeles that was still accepting applications and drove to LA the day after graduating.

After attending a two year Associate of Arts program at Los Angeles College of Music (she studied Vocal Performance), Margie finally had the chance to dive into her true passion for singing and performing. A couple of weeks out of music school, she got a call to audition for a singing TV show that was in development. Something inside her said, “say yes.” A couple of hours later, she was inside a private audition where she ended up nervously rapping “Rapper’s Delight,” – she was so nervous in fact that she spit-up water all over the three guys who she was auditioning for in the room. She left everyone in tears because they were laughing so hard; unfortunately, though, she didn’t get the role.

Seven months later, she walked out of a yoga class on a random day and received a text message, voicemail, and missed call from someone with American Idol. One of the men who she auditioned for just seven months prior was now casting for American Idol. “I haven’t forgotten you – you were the first person I thought of,” he said. She prepared for the audition and soon walked into a room full of executives one fateful day in July 2018, only to do an impression of the Sims (yes, the video game characters), followed by singing to about 120 seconds of music. Right then and there she got the big YES…and she was on her way to the American Idol TV auditions. The rest went down on national television history.

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Since her season on American Idol, her fans have started the #Mayscraze and she even has her own emoji due to a hilarious interaction with Katy Perry during her audition.

After making it to the Top 40 Margie was cut right before the Top 20. Fortunately, her fanbase has grown rapidly and she just released her first original song, “Over Again,” which has independently streamed on Spotify over 75,000 times with no label backing within the first two weeks of release. She is currently working on her vlogs (having amassed a new, ever-growing fanbase on YouTube as well), and has been writing more music to release. She is also scheduling concerts, including her first hometown show since Idol in early August.

Margie Mays - Music Industry Weekly
Margie Mays – American Idol Top 40

We sat down with the amazingly talented, charming, and authentic Margie Mays to learn more about what makes her tick and what the world can expect from the person who won over the American Idol judges and millions of viewers worldwide by giving them the unexpected.

MIW: Your audition was probably one of the most entertaining and memorable in Idol history. What has been the craziest or most memorable reaction you’ve experienced with a fan that saw you out in public after the show?

Margie Mays: Ha! This question makes me laugh. To be honest, I never really expected to get recognized out in the public. Sometimes hilariously, I’ve been so wrong. I’ve definitely had a couple of moments where I’ve been mid-pizza-bite, totally thinking about food, and then just zapped back to life by the door of a restaurant I’m in to fling open and hear someone scream “I LOVE YOUUUUU MARGIE” and purr at me while I’ve got pizza oil dripping down my face. It’s happened more than I could have expected. However, there has been one moment that far surpasses all of the others. A couple of weeks ago, I had to go to the hospital for a quite embarrassing and admittedly personal situation in the middle of the night. I had no makeup, no smiles, and definitely had no intention of being recognized. While waiting in the hospital room, the nurse comes in, I explain my ailments, and before leaving, she looks at me, puts a box over her head, and PURRS in my face! I couldn’t help but laugh. It was too hilarious. I’m glad the world always keeps me on my toes. You can never be too sure when your true identity will be revealed. Ha!!

MIW: What’s an average day like for you now that you are doing music full time with a massive fan base?

Margie Mays: Right now it’s a lot of juggling. My main focus is content for my fans, and that comes in a lot of forms. I’m not only writing and recording new music, but I’m also in the studio recording covers as well, to keep the music flowing and getting it out to their ears. Beyond that, I’m constantly multi-tasking because a lot of the cool opportunities I get – I vlog for my Youtube channel. An average day also consists of planning some type of event or show or taking a meeting about future plans; I like to not only focus on the now but have plans for the future. Then it’s staying active on all the social media platforms; I really think it’s important to engage with my fans. So keeping all those socials up to date and engaging; that means photoshoots, video content; if you’ve seen it on my page, I’ve been scurrying my buns off to plan all the pieces of whatever you’re seeing. It’s a lot to juggle, especially since I still teach voice and piano lessons (and try to maintain some semblance of a healthy lifestyle where I can work out and see friends and take a minute to relax…xyz…you get the drill), but it’s exhilarating. I love the hustle and always want to be busier. I also try to make time for a little reality tv at the end of the night – I’m obsessed with the show “Love Island” right now… let me tell you, it’s binge-worthy. It’s a show from the UK so it’s helping me flesh out my British accent impressions. The show is great, but my accent is still pretty awful!

MIW: You are obviously a very determined and independent person, but you also have a vulnerable and quirky side of you that millions have seen on American Idol. Where does your ability to be strong yet vulnerable come from? 

Margie Mays: I think the strength part comes somewhat easy for me. It’s probably the result of the amalgamation of my upbringing, parents, and a reflection of the strength of the dream that I carried. My parents early on instilled in me the value of a strong work ethic, and it was always something that felt quite natural to me – working hard for something your heart aches for. Vulnerability, however, is something I have learned to show more as I’ve gotten older. On the inside, I’ve always been both soft and quirky. I think it took maturity and stumbling through life to realize that both the most magical moments and beautiful relationships came through showing my truest colors. I am thankful that American Idol happened at age 25 for me (as opposed to age 15, let’s say) because the platform arrived at a time in my life where I knew showing vulnerability and weakness is actually a strength. I wouldn’t change a thing about how I shared myself with the world.

Connect with Margie Mays on IG:
Instagram: @margiemaysmusic

MIW: Has your family been supportive throughout your journey to pursue music as a career? What have been their greatest worries or concerns? What has been their best advice?

Margie Mays: Quite honestly, I think they have silently (and not always so silently) struggled with supporting my music career. I do come from a family that is heavy on academic careers, and very light on the creative ones. That made me feel like the odd one out for a very long time. I think my family’s biggest struggle was that they saw me excel in school – to give you a bit of perspective, I graduated valedictorian of my high school class, and then went on to Stanford University where I graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Coming from a family of academics and surgeons, it was hard for them to feel like I was throwing my potential away on something like “music.” Getting American Idol has changed my life because it gave them comfort – allowed them to not only be proud of me but watch how America and the judges reacted to me and think “okay, maybe she can do this.” Their best advice has come in the form of the strong work ethic that they provided me. Growing up, my dad always told us all that mattered was effort & attitude (a motto I felt I heard a few too many times). Those two words, I have learned, matter so so much. I am thankful for those principles I was always taught.

MIW: Do you have any other hidden talents or ambitions that most people don’t know about? 

Margie Mays: I speak Simlish. Yep, remember that game The Sims? The gibberish they speak? Yeah. I speak a little bit of it. Surprise 😀 

MIW: What is your favorite part about the music industry? Your least favorite? Why?

Margie Mays: Hmm. I feel quite new to the industry so I’m sure this will change. For now, my answers would be: my favorite part about the music industry is that I get to be creative, and there are truly no rights and wrongs. I get to flex all the weirdness, all the weakness, all the vulnerability, and somehow make projects out of it? It’s so fun and freeing. Least favorite thing? We have definitely fallen into a pattern of sharing our highlight reels. I crave a little more genuineness and authenticity – a little for humor, for goodness sake – and when people get too busy climbing the social hierarchy Hollywood ladder I get put off by that.

MIW: What advice would you give someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Margie Mays:  1) Go for it. 2) Work your butt off. 3) Be a kind person, because you will find out that it matters, a lot. 4) Be yourself. This might be the hardest thing to learn (who am I, and how do I learn to accept that?), but I promise you, the world craves authenticity. And anything short of that is so off-putting and obvious. Even if you’re still growing into yourself, just be honest. It matters, it’s beautiful, and it works.

MIW: What was the inspiration behind the writing of your single “Over Again” and what can readers expect to hear from you in the near future?  

Margie Mays:  Well, funny enough, this song has been in existence for about two years now. At first, it was just a classic breakup song. I wanted it to paint that feeling of everyone’s nostalgia for their first love. However, once American Idol happened – more specifically, when I was cut – I immediately thought of that song, and I told my friends who helped me make it, I have to release this. It’s kind of my statement to the show, I loved every single bit of you and I would do it ten times over. Figuratively and literally. Yes, I want to come back.

MIW: Your Youtube videos are hilarious and extremely entertaining. Tell us more about what your current and future fans can expect to see from you?

Margie Mays:  Thank you so so much! My vlogs are such a breath of fresh air for me and honestly, they’re one of my favorite projects I do. I love the idea of taking my audience behind the scenes of life post-Idol but in a very nonchalant and honest (and, hopefully to everyone else, funny) way. A perfect example would be how I vlogged my entire trip to Modesto, where I had my first concert for fans since American Idol. Hundreds of people showed up, it looked all glamorous, (bla-bla-bla,) and I easily could have released a video that hyped up the glamour and the sequins and the autographs. Instead, I like to show the real side – me, sleeping on a couch, with a blue-nosed pitbull spooning me, waking up to Chihuahua poop while I couch-surfed for the gig. Those kind of moments are the best and I love sharing them with the world.

See Margie Mays in Concert!
Sat • Aug 03 • 7:30 PM
The Queen, Wilmington, DE

MIW: Can you tell us more about the “Hometown Show” that you recently talked about on social media?

Margie Mays:  Yes! This will be the first time I have come home to Delaware since American Idol. I’ve been planning a concert at “The Queen” in downtown Wilmington. EVERYONE should come! I have two openers, who are actually my group-mates from group night on American Idol, and then I will be doing a set backed by a local band. I’ll be singing covers (some that you saw on the show) and originals. I can’t wait. There’s also a meet & greet, which I learned is my favorite – I truly love meeting everyone. I’m shocked at how far some people travel to see Idol contestants. My last concert I met a woman who has a towel with autographs from over 100 different American Idol contestants, past and present. It’s so special.

MIW: How can our readers connect with you on social media, learn more about you, or stream/download your music and/or videos?

Margie Mays:  Yay! I’m on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. I’ve also got a personal website I keep up to date with lots of goodies. I’ll link all of them below.

Instagram: @margiemaysmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margiemaysmusic/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/margiemaysmusic

Twitter: @margiemaysmusic

Website: www.margiemaysmusic.com

Hometown Show LiveNation Link: https://concerts1.livenation.com/event/020056DABB6C840B?_ga=2.90241498.1937145139.1562027922-1641488663.1561503868

Kanye’s New Track ‘Brothers’ Is Finally Here! Stream It Now

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On Tuesday night, BET’s new show Tales premiered a snippet of Kanye’s new song ‘Brothers’ feat. Charlie Wilson through the series’ trailer that came out mid-June. Gotti posted the full version on Instagram with the caption that said: “There is a lot of speculation right now on who is Kanye West rapping about on the song brothers. So here is the song. That BET cut off because of there way of airing episodes. But it was always meant for the audience to hear the whole record. Listen. And decide for your self if you think Kanye is rapping about Jay Z or Virgil. Both Ye’s Brothers. And also let me know if you liked the episode and song. We did it for yall. My hip hop culture.”
Kanye and Wilson have worked together in the past and continue to collaborate  to make brilliant music. Listen to their new release ‘Brothers’ below:

Interview With NBC’s “The Voice” Season 14 (Team Blake) Contestant JessLee

JessLee is a once in a generation artist. Most people recognize her from season 14 of NBC’s The Voice (Team Blake) where she displayed to an audience of millions that she had the swagger of a modern-day Shania Twain with the vocal power of a young Christina Aguilera. JessLee just finished her new single “Over Him” with two-time Grammy-nominated producer Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Brett Young, and countless others) and is in the middle of making an EP that will make a HUGE impact this year and into the next. There is ONE song on there… WHEW… it will take you to church! The word on the street is that she has received several standing ovations at songwriter nights around Nashville, which is a feat in itself! The industry buzz is that JessLee is a superstar that the world has not heard of quiet yet…until now.

Music Industry Weekly sat down with the versatile and multi-talented JessLee who is a singer, songwriter, national recording artist, fitness enthusiast, and motivational speaker.

MIW: Most people will recognize you from season 14 of NBC’s The Voice. What were you doing before you were on the show and how has your life changed after?

JessLee: Before NBC’s The Voice, I had been already pursuing chasing my music career shortly before being asked to join the show. I cut my first EP in early 2015 while juggling a banking job and making sandwiches in a Publix Deli. After releasing the EP in April I started my transition into becoming a full time musician and have never been happier.

The show approached me in 2017 and during that time I was already preparing for a Florida / Georgia Tour. It was an unexpected but exciting opportunity and my gut was telling me to just go for it! I’m really happy I did. Mostly because of how fun it was but also because of the impactful experiences and connections I made. Since being on the show, I feel like it’s given me an extra piece of notoriety but most importantly led me to create some incredible relationships in the music industry. I truly feel like The Voice has been an important part of my musical journey to lead me to something so much greater!

JessLee - Music Industry Weekly
JessLee – Season 14 of NBC’s “The Voice”

MIW: Were the coaches the same off-camera as they were on camera? Who surprised you the most when the cameras were off?

JessLee: The coaches really are extremely similar off-camera to the ways they act on camera. I really enjoyed working with Trace Adkins the most because I was surprised by how funny and witty he is. 

MIW: What is the most interesting or bizarre thing that happened to you during the show off-camera or behind the scenes that you can talk about?

JessLee: The most interesting thing that happened off-camera on the show was wardrobe sessions! Before the show, I had been fortunate enough to work my way to affording a traveling make up artist for my performances and playing some great shows! What I rocked on stage was always ultimately up to me to figure it out, though! To me, it was super exciting having a personal stylist! It is definitely a luxury I can’t wait to get back!

MIW: Many people wonder what happens to contestants after being on The Voice. What happened immediately after your last episode? What’s been going on with your music career since?

JessLee: After my last episode aired, I was immediately showered with so much love by my newer and older fans. Everybody’s exit experience is different but I left having shows and interviews lined up for me. It was my team’s and my mission to take that momentum and capitalize on it! Since the show, I’ve immediately been working with MMG with writing and publishing on my originals and quickly found myself in the studio with 2X Grammy Nominated Brad Hill who’s worked with Maren Morris, Brett Young, Brothers Osborn and many more! Right now the latest project has been my new single “Over Him” releasing July 12th!

MIW: Brad Hill has such an impressive discography, what has it been like to work with such a well-known and established music producer?

JessLee: Working with Brad has been a blast! It’s been quite the experience working with someone who can take my style and package it in a way that’s so me and very commercial. I am so excited to finish the EP with him because he is truly amazing at what he does. 

MIW: If you had to choose between performing in the studio or live on stage, which one would you choose and why?

JessLee: It’s a hard choice because I truly love both SO MUCH! But … if I must lolol … I would choose to perform live. Both the studio and live performances are so fulfilling in their own ways but if I couldn’t perform live for a long period of time, I would miss feeling that energy that a good audience gives you!

JessLee - Music Industry Weekly
JessLee performing live – Music Industry Weekly

MIW: What is your favorite part about the music industry? Your least favorite? Why?

JessLee: I think that my favorite part of the industry now is how technology has made it possible to reach my fans and make NEW fans without necessarily having to be a signed artist. The availability of artists to their fans has made content king… or queen… whichever you prefer! It’s not about who you are or how you look, it’s all about the music, your message, and how people can connect with it at any time!

My least favorite part of the industry is concerning radio, playlisting and technology. I miss humans making the decisions for playlisting and radio instead of algorithms and machines making those decisions, today.

MIW: If you didn’t become an artist, what would you be doing right now?

JessLee: If I didn’t become an artist, the only other career I’d have so much passion for is health and fitness. I love making people feel good or even just feel like they can relate or resonate with something. I can do that with my music but, health and fitness is another way to do that physically.

MIW: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

JessLee: The best advice I’ve ever been given and would give is as simple as “be yourself – with every step you take, take it being 100% true to who you are.”

MIW: What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?

JessLee:  Newer fans and followers may not know that I used to complete in NPC figure shows! This is where I fell in love with taking care of myself. Today, I still love the weights and train HARD … just not Nationally Qualified Figure competitor hard.

JessLee - Music Industry Weekly
The multi-faceted and multi-talented JessLee:
Singer, songwriter, national recording artist, fitness enthusiast, and motivational speaker.

MIW: What is the weirdest or funniest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview?

JessLee: The funniest thing that anyone has ever asked me is how much I can deadlift. Answer: 315 lbs!

MIW: What’s the name of your current single? Can you tell us about the song and what the lyrics mean to you?

JessLee: The current single I’m releasing is called “Over Him.” It’s out for preorder right now and releases July 12th. The song is a catchy anthem to ladies who need to get out of an unhealthy relationship. The lyrics say “You ain’t getting over him, till you’re done with him.” They are to the point and easy for anyone to relate to and understand.

MIW: Tell us about your upcoming shows?

JessLee: Currently my team has me performing in the mid-west, but after the new single releases we will be focusing on the “Over Him” tour which will be primarily in the Southern United States!

MIW: How can our readers connect with you on social media, learn more about you, or stream/download your music and/or videos?

JessLee: You can find me on ALL social media outlets @jessleecountry or on my website at www.jessleemusic.com!

My favorite social media is Instagram so definitely join me on there for some fun behind the scenes content: https://www.instagram.com/jessleecountry/

Here is the link to the new single on Apple music.

https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/over-him/1466680663?i=1466680664&app=itunes

Here’s a link to pre-save/follow on Spotify and other digital outlets:

https://on.cmdshft.com/OverHim

For all inquiries:
Steve Virginia – JessLee Manager
Black Label Management
blacklabelnash@gmail.com

JessLee Management
Black Label Management

Miley Cyrus Drops Official Video For Her Hit Single “Mother’s Daughter” – Watch

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Miley Cyrus just released the official music video for her new bop “Mother’s Daughter” – a track off of her recently released EP She Is Coming. This new video is her most bold and provocative work yet as it conveys women’s empowerment and women’s freedom as it features gender identity, breast-feeding in public, sex, inclusion and more! Throughout the video, you see clips of  ones you may now that support the message such as Miley’s mother, Tish, Aaron Philip, Amazon Ashley, Angelina Duplisea, and Casil McArthur. Check out the video below:

K.Flay Drops New Single “Not in California” – Listen

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K.Flay came out with a new single called “Not in California” from her upcoming album Solutions which drops July 12. In the new single, K.Flay wasn’t afraid to touch on difficult-to-discuss topics, even topics that are controversial in this day in age such as politics, abortion, entertainment, substances, etc. The song starts out with a voice saying, “We have not allowed ourselves to comprehend what failure might mean for us/Is it a comfort or a curse, the knowledge that we could have avoided all this?” She continues to sing in the verses of the song, “The birds all died and the trees caught fire And the government, it called us crazy/We built a big world then we watched it all burn ‘Cause the television made us lazy/The babies all cry as the scientists try/But the politicians keep on screaming/I’d like a roadmap, like to turn the clock back/But the internet, it keeps on freezing.” K.Flay said that she was inspired to write the song when she visited Stinson Beach, California. She said the place felt like magic, because it seemed to be undefiled by the problems of today’s world. She said, “Sometimes you get glimpses of planet Earth and it astounds you. So big and wild and beautiful. It’s easy to forget that we’re all connected. The trip I took served as a wake up call to the way things could and should be…” Listen to K.Flay’s new single “Not in California” below:

Kevin Gates: New Album, New Single, Upcoming Tour & MORE

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Fans have been waiting with anticipation for rapper, Kevin Gates to announce a new album, and he finally did on Friday, June 28. He announced that he will be releasing “I’m Him” which will be his first album in almost four years. Along with this exciting news, he also dropped his new single from the album called “Push It” and his official music for the song which you can watch below: This track and video conveys the personal growth Gates has achieved in his life including losing 100 pounds. Gates said in an interview, “Sometimes, your biggest obstacle is you… the idea for the video is pushing myself to become a better version of myself. I’m making the transition from a f*cked-up guy with a good heart and great character traits, into a man with a great heart and no f*cked-up character traits. That is why the song is called ‘Push It.’” Gates’ Upcoming Tour Dates with Cardi B: 7/12 – Baltimore, MD – Dtlr Presents Summer Kickoff 2k19 7/23 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center * 7/24 – Wichita, KS – Intrust Arena * 7/26 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena * 7/27 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center * 7/30 – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse * 7/31 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena * * with Cardi B

Pink Premiers Official Video For “Can We Pretend” From Her Recent Album – Watch

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On Friday, June 28 Pink released an animated music video for her song “Can We Pretend” from her recent album Hurts 2B Human. She leaves her family to go on an adventure through space as she sings, “So can we pretend/That I’m twenty-two today/Dancin’ on the tables with you, oh yeah/Can we pretend/That we all end up okay/I just want to forget with you, oh yeah.” And at the end of the video, she has a dance party with a bunch of space aliens. “Can We Pretend” is featured on Pink’s recent album, Hurts 2B Human. Watch the music video below.

DJ Mustard’s Perfect Ten Album Has Finally Arrived – Stream It Now

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DJ Mustard dropped his third LP called Perfect Ten on Friday, June 28. This is the kind of album you will want to get your hands on as it features some of your favorite rappers such as Future, Playboi Carti, Nav, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the late Nipsey Hussle, Young Thug, Gunna, Ella Mai, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyga, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, and MORE. For all that Mustard has done for the community of LA, the City honored him by declaring June 19 as “Mustard Day.” The caption on the Instagram post said, “I TOLD MY STORY AND MADE HISTORY …. ONE FOR THE BOOKS.” Stream Perfect 10 below.

Interview With Top 14 American Idol Contestant Evelyn Cormier

Evelyn Cormier is a young singer/songwriter from New England whose unique sound propelled her to the top 14 on Season 17 of American Idol and caused Katy Perry to declare Evelyn’s voice as “literally the most favorite voice I have ever heard in my life.” One of the highlights from Evelyn’s season was when she sang “Wicked Game” as a duet with her Idol, Chris Isaak.  Evelyn is currently working on her first full-length album at the award-winning studio, Rocking Horse Studio, with producer Brian Coombes, and recently released her first single, “Peach Skies” on June 21st followed by an official music video. Evelyn was also awarded “Best Voice” by NH Magazine for 2019 and headlined “The Best of NH Show” on June 27th. She will continue touring New England playing many festivals, venues, and events– notably The Tupelo Music Hall, opening for Chris Isaak.

Music Industry Weekly interviewed the beautiful, warm, and talented Evelyn Cormier to take a deeper dive into her experience on American Idol and find out what she’s doing now.

MIW: Most people recognize you from American Idol or even prior to that, 90 Day Fiancé. What was life like for you before being on reality TV?

Evelyn: Before I made my debut on television, I was just living my life like everyone else. I was in college studying music, interning as a worship leader at Lake Sunapee Baptist Church, I was working on first EP “Ghost,” and I was in the middle of the K1 Visa process with David.

MIW: You’ve talked about your family band in other interviews. Can you tell us more about who plays what, how it all started, and if you still play together?

Evelyn: My family band consists of my father, Micaiah, who plays electric and lead acoustic guitar, and my brother, Solomon, who plays piano/keys. My mother is also involved behind the scenes with the management and production side. It all started when I began singing in public. At the time (I believe I was only 10) I had yet to learn the guitar so my father picked the guitar back up after many years of not playing to accompany me.

Evelyn Cormier – American Idol Top 14 – Season 17

At around age 13, I started to learn the guitar. My dad found one at a yard sale and showed me a few chords and that is all it took. Before I knew it, we were playing together. During that time, Solomon was taking piano lessons and I was writing music. We never really planned to be a band, it was just a natural progression, we were playing together all the time at home. Before long we were gigging out together. We are all currently on the same worship team at church, and they are still a big part of my band. We write together, they understand me and the direction I am going with my music and are able to contribute ideas. I am very thankful for them–it’s not easy finding talented musicians who are all on the same page– they believe in me and work hard for the band.

MIW: Your style of singing is very unique. Who are your major influences?

Evelyn: I grew up in an eclectic musical environment where we didn’t watch much television but the radio was always on. I was exposed to classical, big band, 1980s-90s rock, as well as growing up in church and learning all the old hymns. It’s really hard to pinpoint one influence but I guess I can say Dinosaur Jr., The Cranberries, Elvis, Lana Del Rey, of course, Chris Isaak, among many others that have played a role in my musical journey.

MIW: What genre of music do you consider your current work to be?

Evelyn:I think like many artists it’s hard to pigeonhole yourself in one category. When asked this question I usually answer Indie Folk.

MIW: Millions of people witnessed Katy Perry declaring that you have “literally the most favorite voice I have ever heard in my life.” How have these words from such a massive entertainment icon impacted your music career and your life?

Evelyn: It is an incredible honor. I know I have a unique sound–some people love it and some people hate it. It was a big risk to stand before those judges not knowing what they would think or what they would say. I was absolutely overwhelmed by their responses. To hear Katy Perry–THE Katy Perry–say that I had the most favorite voice she has ever heard was definitely life-changing for me. It really confirmed to me that I am on the right path.

Check Out Evelyn Cormier’s first single “Peach Skies”

MIW: Many people wonder what happens to contestants after being on American Idol. As someone who made it to the Top 14, what happened immediately after your last episode? What’s been going on since?

Evelyn: Once I was cut from American Idol, I flew home the next morning. I was in the middle of recording my first full-length album before I left, so I headed back into the studio. I recorded a duet with Alex Preston, he was a finalist on season 13 of American Idol. Of course, a lot of people reached out and wanted me to sing or make a public appearance around the area, which I did. Once you make it to the top 20, you are bound contractually to American Idol for 90 days after your last episode which means I can’t really pursue anything big with a label or management until my contract expires. So I am working hard, finishing my album, touring New England playing events, venues, and festivals.

MIW: What was it like working with the judges on American Idol? We’re they all pretty much the same off camera as they were on camera?

Evelyn: It was really an amazing experience to work with the judges on American Idol. They never made us feel like this was just a job for them. They were very encouraging and helpful. They were not looking to crush anyone’s dreams, they were really trying to inspire us to achieve our goals. When I was eliminated from Idol, I had an opportunity to talk with Katy Perry in private. She searched me out, there were no cameras, no mics–just us. She looked me right in the eye and told me that she loved me and that she believed in me. She gave me advice on moving forward in my music career on what to do and not to do. What a blessing to get expert advice from someone who has been where I am and has made it!

MIW: What has it been like to not only perform with your Idol Chris Isaak on American Idol but to be able to perform with him now on a regular basis?

Evelyn: Working with Chris Isaak was definitely the highlight of my American Idol experience. It was so surreal. I have been covering his music for years, so to be able to not only meet him but to share the stage with him—Whoa–what a dream come true! He is such a super cool dude. I was able to hang out with him for a couple of days during rehearsals for the show. He gave me lots of advice and tips about the music industry. He also told me that he would love to share the stage with me again and that when he was in my area, he’d look me up. I thought it was a sweet gesture but never thought it would actually happen but sure enough, true to his word, I am opening for Chris at The Tupelo Music Hall in August and other dates are in the works.

MIW: What is your favorite part about the music industry? Your least favorite? Why?

Evelyn: My favorite part of the music industry is that today you can literally be a nobody and you can record music and put it out there to the world and somebody will hear it and listen to it. Social media is a very useful platform for an independent artist to get your work out there.  What I don’t really like about the music industry is that the only music that is played on the radio is top 40 which are artists who are signed to labels. As an independent artist, you are promoting your own music and hoping your track will be put on a playlist but back in the old days you could walk into a radio station and convince the DJ to play it.

Music Industry Weekly Interview With Evelyn Cormier

MIW: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Evelyn:I would advise anyone who is passionate about music to not let anything get in the way of chasing your dreams–if it is meant to be, the doors will open at the right time. Music is art and it is therapeutic –there is nothing wrong with pursuing it so don’t let fear stop you! You don’t want to wake up one day and wish you had tried.

MIW: If you didn’t become an artist, what would you be doing right now?

Evelyn:Not a lot of people know this but I am currently almost done writing my first novel. Before I started writing music, I wrote short stories. I think that it influences how I write my songs because I am always looking to bring the listener on a journey using words and imagery. So I think If I did not pursue music, I would be a writer.

MIW: If you can have your fans remember one thing about you, what would it be? 

Evelyn: That I am not a follower and that I don’t care about what is in and what is not in–I make my own path and it is not determined by others’ opinions of me.  I have the confidence in my own art that I don’t compromise who I am to suit others–I stay true to my vision of what I want my art to be.

MIW: What’s the name of your current single? Can you tell us about the song and what the lyrics mean to you?

Evelyn: My newest single is “Peach Skies.” The song was written on the top of the parking garage in Claremont, NH one evening while I was watching the sunset– the sky was ablaze in oranges and pinks and Ascutney Mountain was a dark purple–It was so beautiful, it reminded me of sunsets from my childhood that it inspired me and I wrote most of the lyrics just sitting there taking in the spectacular view. The song is about nostalgia and the magical journey it takes you on.

MIW: Tell us about your upcoming shows?

Evelyn: I am really excited about my summer tour schedule. I will be playing “The Best of NH” show as well as “The Best of the Seacoast” and several festivals in New England. I am really proud to be a part of the “American Vinyl Music Festival” which is one of the largest benefits for the U.S. Veterans but the highlight of my summer will definitely be opening for Chris Isaak.

MIW: How can our readers connect with you on social media, learn more about you, or stream/download your music and/or videos?

Evelyn:You can find out more about my music and shows on my website and social media.

Website: https://evelyncormier.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyncormier/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvelynCormierMusic/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/evelyncormier?lang=en

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6oOuy3kZ9Sk07JEER1C7En

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/evelyn-cormier/1222282253

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLD4oYUGFIEUysqoJZqjY-g

Bandcamp: https://evelyncormier.bandcamp.com/

Email: evelyncormiermusic@gmail.com