OT/OOC

This is for Dana, on the TV show RockStar.

The band was having trouble explaining to Dana what she needed to do in order to "bring it" and really perform. So were the other rockers. However, since I think most of the rockers have the same problem, I think I'll attempt to explain it here.

Dana, darlin, yer an Ice Queen on stage. You hold the audience at a distance. You hold the music away from you. Your voice is amazing. But that's only maybe 1/4 of the show. That's the keyword, baby- SHOW. You can move your hand and you can walk. Good. You can look at the camera and occasionally the audience. That's nice too. But none of that means a damn thing if you aren't the music. You have 365 bones in your body and there are joints between every one of them. MOVE them. Your powerhouse isn't your pretty face, and no one in the back row can see your face anyway. Maybe in the small coffee houses you're used to, but not in the arena honey.

Have you seen Shakira? Even when she sings entirely in Spanish, you know what she's singing about. Why? Watch those hips. Watch the chest. She can move them and she does. Somewhere in the line, she's had belly dancing lessons, or something like it. I suggest this highly for you. Swing those hips, girl. Feel the music in your bones and don't let a beat of music pass that doesn't affect your bones.

Songs are emotion- it's why it's a powerful medium of expression. You need to feel the emotion as you sing about it. Break into tears or feel overwhelmed with love or lust or hate or whatever emotion the song drives you to. Put the emotion in your voice. Sometimes, yes, you need the clarity and sometimes yes you need the rough edge, but I don't mean you need to scream to be Rock or Emotion. You must feel what you sing. Let the drum control your heartbeat and breathe that music in your soul when you sing. Don't hold an ounce of energy back- give it all to the song.

If you can learn to do this, you can be a rock star. If you can't, you'll just be a singer. Strutting on stage only works if it's time to the music and *means* something to the song. Not just, "Okay, I've stood in one spot long enough, I'd better move now." I detest how I can see that go across your face while you attempt to perform. You are so disconnected, I want to smack you and yell this rant at you.

So consider yourself smacked. I am twice your weight, and I CAN perform.  ¶ 1:04 PM