The Voice – Blind Auditions Night 2

By starrymag | February 27, 2015

Q) Tanya, why did you decide to sing that song in particular?

Tanya Boyd-Cannon: Happy is a song that I live every day. I celebrate happiness no matter what is going on. Especially today. Today’s is my son’s birthday. So each day of my life I try to find a blessing in every situation no matter what the outcome is. I just like to remain happy. And it was also an honor to sing this song before the creator and write of the tune ‘Happy,” Pharrell Williams and to have him to turn a chair which validated my singing techniques and variety of note choices, runs and riffs. Adam and Christina just even validated it more as well as although Blake didn’t turn he had already just gave me the smile of validation and let me know I knew I didn’t have a – to glorify I didn’t have a choice with going up against those three. In the end my coach gave me that happiness even more. And it’s just something that I love to continue living each day is just each day is a gift to us. So remain happy no matter what it may bring.

Q) Mia, why did you choose your song?

Mia Z: Yes I chose The Thrill is Gone because it’s that old soul, the blues artist. And The Thrill is Gone is just about like for me it was about a guy that kind of just broke my heart at being so young or whatever. So I kind of put it into that perspective to sing it but it’s also just that like old like gritty like let’s get down to the blues and B.B. King as the artist who wrote it is just phenomenal. So it was definitely right in my genre, right in my soul, right all through my blood. I was just so excited to pick that song and sing it.

Q) There obviously was a little bit of a running joke in the first episode and a half that nobody was picking Adam. Obviously, Adam is a great coach. What did you like about him and why did you decide to go with him?

Deanna Johnson: Oh man I actually went into it thinking, you know, whoever turns I’m going to go with them. I was not expecting four chairs. I was thinking Blake when I went in because he said such – like he was so nice to me. The first time around I did season five but I went with Adam because he was really honest and he told me you know what there is some things you need to work on and I – and if you make me your coach then I’ll really help you improve on that thing. And my dad is kind of that way with me. He’s kind of if I’m sucking it up he’s going to let me know. And it really helps me improve. So I was like that’s what I want in a coach is someone who’s not afraid to be like okay that didn’t sound quite right. So that’s why I picked Adam.

Blaze Johnson: The reason I picked Adam is because three years ago I said I wanted to work with Adam. I was kind of pretty much in my room working on music and he’s always been one of my favorite inspirations and musically the way he does things. He thinks outside the box and he’s so unique in what he does. And he takes what he has and he does it well. And I really, really wanted to work with him three years ago and I didn’t know how it was going to happen or how – what it looked like. But I guess now I can say here I am today being able to work with him and learn from him. So that’s the reason why I picked him. And that’s kind of how I am because I don’t – when I sing people I guess they don’t – I don’t look like what I sound like. And they see two different things. When they see me they wouldn’t expect me to – they wouldn’t expect me to sound like that. And so it’s kind of like I don’t kind of fit the mold and that’s one of his big things. He doesn’t fit the mold for what he does. And so that’s the reason why I went with him.

Tanya Boyd-Cannon: Adam Levine. First of all his name. He’s an amazing guy. Musically his approach to everything has always wowed me. And his vocal range and ability to take songs and trans have them just reach the masses no matter what he sings. And he always has this confidence about approaching the song, approaching on stage performances and just an all-around person. And I felt that he would take me where I want to go as an all-around artist and vocalist, allow me to show my versatility in my range as well as techniques.I chose him because he would challenge me and not allow me just to sit in my comfort zone and singing in my lower register and doing what I normally would do. So with that in mind, I always look to him as that being and beacon of vocal abilities. I mean since the show aired I’ve been a fan and I’ve always wanted to work with him. And I just knew one day it would happen. And here I am today living my dream, working with my coach that I aspired to work with.

Q) What are you learning about yourself in this process, challenges or advice that you have for anyone else?

Blaze Johnson: one thing that I’m really just learning about myself is it’s kind of like I really do have what it takes because it’s one thing when you know it in your mind and you be like okay you think it. But when you get heart knowledge of it, it’s like you really have what it takes to do this and just reaffirms you as a singer and as a vocalist being able to have the ability to sing and the ability even to turn the chairs like how we all did on the show. And it’s just so crazy and humbling experience and the challenge is definitely is being able to progress and becoming a better singer and really taking what they teach you and applying and try to really trying to use that – use what they’ve taught you to the best of your ability and plus add yourself to it. As far as me one of the big challenges. And I’m just really excited to work on those things.

Gabriel Wolfchild: I can speak to that to. I mean I was in the show I was required to sing music that I probably wouldn’t normally sing. And it really helped me find weaknesses that I had. And it really helped me approach music in a completely different way and it made me a stronger musician all around for sure. And was an incredible experience working with these coaches and I’ve totally transformed. It’s been great.

Mia Z: Just basically again my outlook on it is this is a great experience for anybody to have an opportunity, a stepping stone to open all these doors. And like my main thing is just staying myself. Like so stay you. Like you came into this as you. You go up on that stage and you do you. And you leave you and you show the world like who you are. You know what I mean? So I think just staying true to who you are and really showing that to everybody and getting, you know, the fans that way is really important so. Yes.

Q) Deanna, I know that this was your second audition and you had no chairs and then you had four chairs. But can you guys tell us a little bit how you auditioned and what your casting experience was like for future contestants that would want to be on the show?

Deanna Johnson: I did open call. And there was so many people there. It was so nerve wracking. For me like my biggest like hurdle to get over is definitely nerves. And my first audition I was two years younger than I am now and I love to sing but I didn’t really have a lot of experience and I wasn’t really ready. So if I had to give somebody advice for somebody that was wanting to audition for the show is to know like what kind of music you want to sing, what kind of artist you want to be. And don’t give up after the first try because I mean look at me. Like I didn’t get any chairs and then came back and got four chairs. So don’t let anything get you down. Don’t let anybody tell you no. Keep coming and working hard.

Blaze Johnson: Yes definitely, you know, the biggest thing I guess is someone that would want to come onto the show and potentially audition. I would say it’s like Mia was saying earlier. Like really, really be who you are because at the end of the day even though you might not – you could be the best vocalist in the world or not the best vocalist in the world but if you stay true to who you are and believe that light that’s in you will shine then that draws people in. And so yes I would say the best advice is to really be who you are and do it well.

Tanya Boyd-Cannon: I agree totally with Deanna and Blaze on knowing who you are. And I often use the quote that a 16 year old told me some years ago. Know who you are. Be who you are because everyone else is taken. And in the music industry you have to know what type of genre of music you want to sing. You have to know who you are as a vocalist to know what is your range. And you also have to be a risk taker. I auditioned through the cattle call process and here I am today. I’m 35 years old and I’m still believing in my dreams and I’m living my dreams and celebrating that every day. And as an artist I’ve always been true to who I was and I know where I can go but I don’t box myself as an artist because I’m interested in learning more about myself vocally. So to those artists who are aspiring to do music full time and to reach the limits of – the unlimited levels of being an artist, just keep pushing. Keep striving. You get a no. You take that no. You learn from that no and you continue to keep going because eventually you may get 1000 no’s but there’s one yes that’s waiting for you if you will continue to push on. So never give up.

Q) Well this is a pretty specific question but is it possible that you were in the crowd when Chris Jamison did his home visit last year for stage AE? I mean were you a big fan of the show? Were you familiar with his music at all?

Mia Z: I was familiar obviously with Chris Jamison because he became such a big hit for Pittsburgh. I knew that he was at stage AE but I had a gig that night. So I couldn’t attend the stage AE. But I did get to see him sing the National Anthem at the Steelers game which was pretty cool. And yes I followed him. I follow him on Instagram and stuff and like kept in touch and looked at his dreams and goals and how he’s taking it all in. And kind of looking up to him for that inspiration. So it’s pretty cool.

Q) Brooke, what was it you found pretty interesting that you didn’t think about him before that people wouldn’t know about him that you’ve had a chance to know now?

Brooke Adee: Honestly with Blake I think that he is so incredibly charismatic of a person. I think that he cares so much about his fans and his family. He’s very family orientated. And I don’t know if that comes or translates as much on the show as it does when you actually know him. Like he’s – he reminds me of Olaf. Like if you’ve seen the movie Frozen, Olaf it’s like he gives the warm hugs. I could hug Blake all day, every day. He gives the warmest hugs and he just – he’s like a father figure to me.

Q) And Joe kind of the same question about Christina. What is it about Christina that maybe we don’t know about her that’s really cool?

Joe Tolo: Christina, she is as on top of her career as she is, she is so down to earth. She’s so humble. She’s willing to work with us and be able to help us be a better singer, to be a better artist and a better person. And she’s amazing to work with. I was a little intimidated at first when I first met her but she really opens up and she makes you feel comfortable. And she always gives great advice and great feedback.

Q) Tanya, we know how much you love Adam now. What really surprised you about everything you’ve seen about him or read about him that you think wow I never thought this about him?

Tanya Boyd-Cannon: Adam is truly an all-around great guy. And I’m not just saying that just watching him and listening to him, his conversations, his teachings. What you get on TV is what you get in person. He continues to show his humility. He allows his light to be seen everywhere he goes. And he’s very all around talented. So he reminds me of myself and it also teaches me just to stay grounded with who I am because you never know whose lives you’re going to touch. And like I said he touched my life – from the beginning of his career all the way up until now. And for my daughter to be impacted by him as well as my son. My son tried to play the cool mode and be protective of mommy during this process. But my husband started to cry because of his response of how he speaks to me as an artist and he encourages me to step out of my comfort zone with singing. It’s really is truly rewarding. And yes that’s my guy. That’s my brother.

 

 

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*