Andrés Solé Newsletter # 1

Hi Everyone,

Here’s my first Miami Newsletter about what is going on in my life and musical career. I plan to send these 4 times a year (March, June, September, December).

I was asked by many to send the list of ”10 most important things I learned in Sweden” which I read during my last concert. I’ve posted it on my blog along with a commentary, pictures and a video of the Goodbye Concert.

Blog of concert and list of 10 most important things: http://soleworld.wordpress.com

The first 3 weeks in Miami were mostly spent with Alejandro, my best friend from High School, who is a Music Professor at Florida Atlantic University as well as a wonderful musician. I’ve been enjoying living his family life, getting up at 6 am and helping Mariana (his wonderful wife) get their precious kids (Sebastian and Veronica) ready for school and then having the day to myself to work and then enjoying the evening with them.

The most exciting thing that’s happened this far has been meeting the Artist Developer Candy Tandy. She has worked for many years as a vocal teacher and artist manager and is married to an RnB (Rhythm and Blues) producer. We talked for about 2 hours where I told her about what I have been doing and what I have planned for the future. She asked me a lot of good questions like, ”What makes you unique?” and ”How would you describe your voice?” They are pretty typical questions on the business side of music, but questions I need to have clearly defined in my head as I move forward. She shared a lot of experience and tips with me and at the end of the meeting told me she was confident I would succeed. She said I was very down to earth and realistic about my goals and how to achieve them. She also added that my friendliness and the passion with which I spoke about my music were contagious. She agreed with me that the Latin market is hugely underdeveloped and there is huge potential of growth for many artist. Finally she told me my artist name was excellent and even told me I was ”good looking”. A boost to my ego, something we all need from time to time. But most of all, very inspiring and many good tips about what steps to take from here.

On my flight to Miami, I met a great Brazilian guitarist named Rubens de la Corte who currently plays for Angelique Kidjo (Artist who won a Grammy for Best World Music Album 2007). We hit it off quite well and have talked about the possibility of him playing on my album.

I also met a wonderful Colombian who is working with a French Airline in Paris and said he would love to have the airline sponsor me (they already sponsor french entertainers). Not sure how this would work and what it can mean, but I could tell he was serious, really liked my music, what I do and who I am.

I’ve also got 2 meetings lined up with producers which I will have when I get back to Miami as I am currently in San Francisco visiting my family.

I was unsure when I would return to Miami, as my father has cancer and is going through treatment. But he is doing much better then I expected and so I have decided I will be here one month and then return to Miami and begin set up.

These are the practical things I need to do as I set up:
- Find a place to live
- Buy a car (I was given a great bicycle!)
- Get a half time job

These are the important things I need to do these coming months:
- Record my first album (I would like it to be done by January 2009)
- Continue to train my voice and guitar playing for live performance
- Continue to develop my writing skills (music and texts)
- Continue to work on my branding and marketing
- Get out and play concerts
- Build contacts and find musicians

I am now spending my days enjoying my family, but also playing and singing, laying down the guide tracks for my album, working on marketing (my blog and this newsletter, among other things) as well as reading a lot. I’ve gotten into the bad habit of concurrently reading several books, so right now I am working on 5: The art of practicing, The four-hour workweek, Wikinomics, The Naked Voice and Elvis Costello – God’s Comic

This coming weekend is the famous San Francisco music festival Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. It’s a free festival paid entirely by the local millionaire Warren Hellman, 3 days and five stages filled with the best accoustic music acts. This year I will get to see Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin’s lead singer), Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Asleep at the Wheel, Gogol Bordello, Emmy Lou Harris, Hazel Dickens, Loudon Wainwright III and more all for free at the Golden Gate park. Long live the spirit of the 60’s.

I love the weather in Miami, jogging on the beach and eating tons of fruits. South Beach, which is where I want to live, is very international and feels like a great little community within a bubbling city. I’m really looking forward to building up my new home there. Miss all my friends in Sweden…

A hug,
Andres

Have you seen my Facebook artist profile?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andres-Sole/8426339196

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