Creativity Week! 'Lost In Music' Competition - March Music In The ESPspotlight

It's the second week of #MarchMusic in the #ESPspotlight and thus time to switch things up a tad! As I explained in last week's introduction, this month would be dedicated to journeying through aspects of Music not typically in the forefront of most people's attention. After looking at Understanding Music, the Psychology behind it's emotional effects on us and how it impacts the output we sell to our consumer base; the next seven days will be devoted to what really goes into Creating Music, with a special look at a few talented people along the way and a brand new competition prize courtesy of Yours Truly.

Whether Songwriting or Composing, the pure genius in Creativity means that the world gets to experience a unique, fingerprint expression of your art.

Meeting with a wonderfully motivated entrepreneur earlier today reignited my drive and passion for what I do. Being a self-starter is far harder than most people can envision, especially when the unavoidable obstacles of everyday life clutter your intended path. The infectious energy that I caught as we talked made me think of some of my favourite inspirational songs and the lyrics that call me into action. The task of picking just one to adequately sum up the moment was hard - as we saw earlier in the week, the BBC's Music Psychology test put my emotional connection with music at 100% (did you give the test a go? Share your results in the Comments Box)! The list of songs that give me energy is a LONG one, but I thought a week in - it was high time I pull out the Big Guns. 

Now it took 5 songs and over 20 minutes of reciting lyrics from memory before I settled on what I thought to be a fitting choice to kick off the sentiment of the week. The deciding factor was ultimately that if we were going to talk Musical Creators, there was only one person I could start with! Here's just a snippet of the creative ability that connected with BILLIONS of people worldwide, across 5 decades:

"You can say the words, like you understand -

But the Power's in believing, so give yourself a chance.

Cause you can climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest sea - 

All you need is the will to wanna and a little self-esteem."

Guessed who I'm talking about? Kicking off the Creativity Week of #MarchMusic is the Greatest Entertainer of All Time, with one of my favourite confidence-boosting tracks from, what do you know it, one of my favourite albums of all time! If you never have before, please listen to Michael Jackson's hugely inspirational and healing lyrics in 'Keep The Faith':

Uplifted? I don't know about you, but this one works for me every time!

Now. Onto the business of application. Creating something, no matter the artform, is like sharing a piece of yourself with the world, and by no means is it an easy task. Whilst the aim of most artists is to speak to their audience first; no matter how unfairly, that audience will forever grow, or diminish based on the words of people whom the masses consider knowledgeable on a subject. Good reviews can make or break a release, but a constructive one will always make that release memorable.

#ESPspotlight Reviews are some of the most referenced features on this blog, with recognition of my honest critique from Hendon to Hollywood; hey - Singer, Actor and Best-Selling Author Tyrese Gibson didn't request one for his first music video in umpteen years for nothing!

Real, Raw but Respectful, I'm giving ONE lucky composer the chance to win a FREE #ESPspotlight Review for their recorded works (usually £12.50) everyday, from now until next Thursday - all you have to do is answer one musical question correctly, tweet your entry confirmation and LIKE ESP on Facebook by 20:13 each night to be in with a chance. Don't worry if you don't win though - I'm also adding a whopping great 50% discount on composition reviews for the SAME period - don't forget to quote #MarchMusic to claim it!

You ready for today's question? Let's test your Musical knowledge:

Name Michael Jackson's first SOLO album...

In the final question on the Understanding Music week, I asked you:

'George Gershwin also composed another massive hit about a 'foreigner' in the city currently hosting it's final day of Haute Couture Fashion Week. There is even a classic Gene Kelly film of the same name - Name That Tune!'

The answer is: An American In Paris!

DON'T FORGET - email your entries for today's competition,  tweet your confirmation using the #MarchMusic hashtag and LIKE ESP Ltd. of Facebook by 20:13 tomorrow to be in with a chance!

See you soon!

ES ;)

Competition Terms & Conditions:

• Only one entry per person, per day.
• Prize refers to ONE single/EP/Album ONLY.
• Entrants must complete all stages for entries to be eligible.
• Answers should be submitted via email, with confirmation of entry tweets sent to ESP Ltd. on Twitter.
• Entrants must LIKE the EricaSharlette Promotions Ltd. Facebook Page to entries to be considered eligible.
• All methods of entry should contain the #MarchMusic hashtag.
• The #MarchMusic promotional code must be applied to claim the 50% discount.
• Entry deadline is 20:13 each day, winners will be notified via email within 24 hours.

How Old Is Your Musical Soul? 'Lost In Music' Competition - March Music In The ESP Spotlight

Once Upon A Time, at the tender age of 8 years old, I remember being in the kid's dressing room for Carmen Jones at The Old Vic theatre. Our chaperone had wangled us a cassette deck to help pass the time (translation: stop us annoying her) between rehearsals and our curtain time. Being a card-carrying member of the Mary Poppins club even then - in other words, my school bag was a bottomless pit that housed everything you could ever need, for any situation - I was the only one with a tape (Nite Flite 1 - it's a Classic)! 80s RnB was not what the other Younguns wanted to hear, and so halfway through the B-side, one young madam hit the Stop button and unceremoniously handed me back my "tape full of 'Rents' Music', choosing Silence over Soul music! Heathen Child...

To this day, I still listen to music from before my time - in fact, if it came down to a choice, my preference will rarely be for the current release, unless it's by a favourite artist of mine. Classical, Jazz, Soul, Country and Western (better believe this Lady is #TeamKenny); Blues, Big Band, Disco - don't let the youthful, impish grin fool you (unless I'm in trouble, in which case, you should let my charms make a mockery of your worst disciplinary intentions) - I'm pretty sure my Musical Soul is older than electricity.

Reading one Dr Victoria Williamson - she sure is a smart lady - it seems there is no leading clinical study in psychology to define and measure musicality, or identification - we're basically too awesome and complex. But there IS a fun little pastime that, if you have 25 minutes to spare, is worth giving a go. Why don't you answer the BBC as they ask you: 'How Musical Are You?'

Look Ma, it's OFFICIAL: I'm NOT Human, I'm a Music Bot!
Which means that labour fallacy can no longer be used as leverage!

I gave it a go and apparently, I barely notice the artform and it has little to no impact on my existence overall...

Just kidding! They say I'm a Music Nut in a very 'PC because it is the BBC' kind of way!

To celebrate what the Beeb left me with after picking through my brain, today's 'Music Moment' is my all-time favourite piece, and comes courtesy of my all-time favourite composer! It's got everything I need from note ONE: A call to arms, it's sultry, it's dramatic and you feel the story unfold as the composition goes on which is somewhat hilarious, considering it was unfinished on it's public début. This hypnotically gorgeous piece of music made history when it's Composer decided to just 'wing it' at it's 1924, Aeolian Hall première in New York City.

Ladies and Gents, I give you George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody In Blue':

How do you not love that? The question it raises in my mind though, is how do we apply our musical age and identity to what we produce?

The music I was raised on, went a lot farther, to produce a lot less than today's mainstream, and the bottom line was always finesse. With the multitude that we have at our disposal that, to me, says that we should be doing much more to demonstrate the innovation and evolution of music and marketing since those times. With that in mind, my application is to always feature strong content, but focus on a different aspect than my competitors en masse, and then package it with that same finesse!

Want to know more about your potential winnings?

That's why every day this month, I'm giving away services by me personally to help package and promote you and your product with - have you guessed it? Yep - that 'f' word! TWO lucky winners will get the opportunity to have their brand's social media foundation built, and their initial content maintained by one 'ES in the P'! All you have to do to be in with a chance, is answer one easy peasy, lemon squeezy question via email, before 20:13 tonight! You ready? 

Here goes:

George Gershwin also composed another massive hit about a 'foreigner' in the city currently hosting it's final day of Haute Couture Fashion Week. There is even a classic Gene Kelly film of the same name - Name That Tune!

In the last question I asked:

"No-one opens up the door, for a Native New Yorker..."

'The second to showcase in the four major fashion cities of the world; London Fashion Week was preceded by a city whose 'Natives' just so happen to make up part of a massive hit by 70s Disco Group, Odyssey - Name That Tune!'

The answer was 'Native New Yorker', of course!

Well done to those who gave it a go!

Now. I want to know your musical age in the Comments Box below - post a song or memory that gives an insight into how old you are musically! And if you're enjoying #MarchMusic thus far, let me know what you're liking (or not) in the same place!

Until the next...

ES ;)

Competition Terms & Conditions: Only one entry per person, per day. Prize applies to the 'ESPshowcase - Lights' package, and thus Twitter and Facebook accounts only. Prize offer relates to either a ONE Facebook OR ONE Twitter account only. Entry deadline is 20:13 each day, winners will be notified via email within 24 hours.