El Cañuelo 2014 Results

Veronica

• The song: As I recall it, it was a very solid blues/rock type of a song – definitely appealing to older folks, and with some tweaking it could work well in today’s market as well. I was missing a strong chorus there – which would be a natural thing to have in a song of that type. Something everyone could sing along to.
• The vocal: Very solid with lots of pleasant nuances in your delivery. I got a sense of confidence from you which further added to the enjoyment of your performance. One of the very best vocals on the night – of this there’s little doubt in my mind.
• The performance: Probably the performance of the night, in terms of how smoothly you and “your band” pulled it off, all the more impressive when I consider that you’ve put all that together – complete with writing your song – in the space of a few hours. And you rocked it!
• My production considerations: Definitely studio material here! I can see myself helping you improve your song and record it to very good standard. But… are you “the one” I pick? Read on to find out.

Annie

• The song: From what I remember of your song – it was really nice and mature almost beyond your age (sorry, I DON’T mean that as a put-down!) Your voice “sold it” very well – but when I listen to “songs” – as opposed to “performances” – I always try to imagine how would someone else carry off a tune like that. And my impression was that the song would not stand “the test of inferior performers”, LOL. In other words – more work needs to be done on that song to flesh out the message and the melodic hooks.
• The vocal: Your vocal is wonderful – the tone, the technique, the overall vibe. It’s all there and it’s shocking to hear someone so young project so much skill in her singing. It’s the kind of vocal that can get you gigs as a session singer in just about any professional production studio in London or New York. You do, however, have a few “tiny” little mannerisms or habits, which you simply need to be made aware of – and if you choose to fall back on them you’ll do it by choice rather than inadvertently. Nothing a little more experience – such as studio recordings or more work with your vocal coach – couldn’t cure.
• The performance: I remember my “impressions in the moment” when you performed, and they were basically that all was “okay” – with nothing knocking me off my feet. Your vocal was the feature of the show – not the song – as I see it. But it was a SONG-writing night, not a SINGER night, right?
• My production considerations: Well, like I already said – you’re a “natural” for the studio. But this exercise is about picking someone to help them flesh out the SONG they wrote on the night at El Cañuelo. I can imagine that a session with you, both songwriting and recording, would be exciting and energizing. But… are you “the one” this time around? Keep reading to find out.

Fleur

• The song: I was distracted from the song itself by your performance. This is where beautiful voices can sometimes work against the songs they’re performing. As the song was progressing, I was constantly “willing it” to get to the climax – a chorus or a hook – and start soaring. At the end of it all, even though I now can’t remember any of the song, I remember thinking that it was a “good start”, but that it needed some work to flesh it all out. And definitely a chorus re-write.
• The vocal: Another spectacular vocal in the SIS group. I love how skilled you are with interpreting your songs, and how much nuance as well as true power you possess. You’d find no problems at all getting hooked up with producers around the world to put your vocals on their demo tracks. No doubt. But with all that lavish vocal skill also come some minor “buts”, primarily having to do with style control. Less is more. Just little habits and mannerisms which you need to learn to control – nothing major that would spoil the fun of listening to you, but enough to notice and try to curtail. Some vocal production work in studio would totally show you how to master that.
• The performance: I liked how ambitious you were bringing in not just a guitarist but also a cellist. That was effective, even when there were some minor stumbles. It’s consistent with a slightly-larger-than-life image that I’m getting from you, LOL. It’s all good.
• My production considerations: You’re perfect material for studio sessions, like I said. Your song was interesting enough for me to want to help you make it better. And you’re a singer who’s worth serious consideration. So… will I pick you or not? Read on.

Gilles

• The song: In purely commercial terms, your song idea was one of the strongest on the night. But… I only know because I was there while you were writing some of it. It didn’t come across nearly as strong on the night, though. But no matter. The little that I did hear – if it’s further worked on and developed – could be “a hit”. I know, I know “it ain’t a hit until it sells like hot cakes,” but you know what I mean, right? It SOUNDED like it COULD BE a hit. A superb first effort for someone so young.
• The vocal: I happened to hear you while you were writing and rehearsing your song and I felt that your voice is absolutely fantastic. Little Michael Jackson came to mind immediately – and that was further reinforced when I noticed how generally musical you are, how you naturally “groove” with the music, how confident you were handling that little ukelele even though you never played one before that day. How long till your voice breaks? Will you be able to build on that – like Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder did? – or will you become another Billy Gillman or another Robertino? This matters very little now, of course – it’s just me musing out loud. But the fact remains that your vocal tone is one of the most memorable things for me during this year’s El Cañuelo camp.
• The performance: What a shame that your first day ever on the ukelele was combined with Todd’s first-day-ever on a bass. 😉 One can only truly admire you guys for trying regardless – and even though the song fell a little flat, you STILL managed to deliver a few nice vocal lines which were almost-almost enough to demonstrate that you actually had a SONG there!
• My production considerations: I liked both your song and your vocals. You’re at the perfect age to start “developing.” And the thought of working on your track is very appealing to me as well. But are you “the one?” Read on.

Dementiy

• The song: Of all the 17 (?) songs I heard at El Cañuelo – this is the ONLY ONE which I still (in parts) remember. A “ticket to Jupiter” in a thick Russian accent? Precious! Hilarious. Deadly effective. In fact – I would almost be ready to bet anyone that this song can become a viral hit on the web. I can see it now: “The Crazy Russian Singer Goes To Jupiter” – and you can start by putting on your welding goggles for safety, LOL. I was smiling throughout.
• The vocal: Just about passable – tuneful and in-pitch enough and rough and raw enough – to endear you to my ears as – at the very least – a credible “novelty act”. I’m quite sure that there’s much more of a musician within you than you showed us on the night, but what I heard is enough to make me think that you COULD actually put some smiles on millions of faces!
• The performance: Unpretentious, humorous, self-deprecating but also at the same time confident – I kept smiling for many minutes after you left the stage – and I’m smiling now as I’m writing this. Your song, possibly more than anyone else’s at El Cañuelo this year is “hot” – in the sense that music business professionals think of “hot” – and that is: someone who can make them money quick with a novelty record. Yes – it was raw as hell. But that’s why it was so endearing. I wonder if you could repeat that – on video – with the same unselfconscious humor and energy. Now, that’s the big question…!
• My production considerations: From a purely commercial point of view – this is a no-brainer. You should be the one whose I track I take, develop and help it go viral. But… I’m not altogether sure about my own ability to produce a novelty record. I’m not sure if I’m able to direct you well enough to make you keep that natural spontaneity. But… it’s a challenge for me to think that perhaps I could… Perhaps do a “raw” version and a “produced” version… Hmm. Are you “the one” then? Read on.

TJ

• The song: In my memory now, I’m not sure which one was your song – the first one or the second – and quite frankly even as you performed them, I wasn’t relating to them with enough enthusiasm. They were both “good” in the sense that they had “properly” structured lyrics (as far as I could make out) and decent-enough melodies. But I love it when a song gives me the kind of a hook I can hang my hat on. Actually, I love it when a song has multiple hooks. And I didn’t quite get that there.
• The vocal: Excellent “edgy” vibe in your vocal! I’ve worked with you on a part of one song some weeks ago in my studio, so I already knew that much about you – but you appeared as a guest on another song during the evening, and I heard some additional tonalities in your voice I didn’t know you had. Lots and lots of potential which you should seriously consider developing. It can only get better from here.
• The performance: Good – though below what I subconsciously expected. I “slightly” knew you from before and I had the impression that you would be a little more of a showman. Not in an “over-the-top” way, but just in terms of confidence, etc. You brought it, to be sure – but you could have brought it bigger and better still. It was enough to make you noticeable among the El Cañuelo crowd, but not quite enough to blow people’s socks off yet.
• My production considerations: As I said, I’ve recorded you on half a song already, so I know something about the kind of work that is involved in producing you as well as the reasons why you really deserve to be developed further in this manner. Yes, I would be most happy to work with you and get your track to rock. But… are you the one I’ll pick this time? Read on.

Nadina

• The song: I don’t think I remember the chorus – but I still remember the vibe of the verse. And it was “vibey” and good. Possibly one of the most compelling melody lines on the night! But – not knowing how the rest of the song goes, I’m unable to give you a fuller critique.
• The vocal: Really sweet vocal with some awesomely cute tones – which I had the pleasure of listening to during your songwriting process, before you performed on the night. Sorry I forgot to mention you when I did my little wrap-up speech! I actually thought your voice has possibly the greatest “growth potential” of them all. I heard some interesting little nuances and unique touches there which tell me you could become sensational – with a little work.
• The performance: The little that I heard when you were rehearsing the song sounded a whole lot better than what you did on the night – and bearing in mind that you actually sounded really good on the night (your arrangement troubles notwithstanding), that’s saying something!
• My production considerations: I see you as an artist “I can create” – LOL – forgive the Pygmallion-ish like delusion of grandeur – but what I mean by that is that your potential makes me believe that I could help you define who you are, musically – and make you a force to be reckoned with. I know I can help you recalibrate that track of yours and make it kick ass. But are you the one I’ll pick for this opportunity? Read on.

Safina

• The song: It was above-average memorable on the night, in the sense that it used enough of the tried-and-true rock elements to make it so. But as I listened, I didn’t hear any strong hooks and the message – whatever it was – was lost on me. So, generally, a good effort (especially considering how little time you had) – but it needs fleshing out to make it a “Song” with a capital “S”.
• The vocal: Very interesting vocal. You have a few different “sounds” – some hard and driving, some soft and warm. I wasn’t quite sure which one is your “core” sound, though I heard you rely on the slightly harsher sound on the night. No matter. You have huge potential: you could have a career with that vocal, all going to plan. You still need to work on the nuance, though – but all told, without a doubt one of the best voices on the night.
• The performance: You’re a “rock chick” at heart, aren’t you? I love your confidence and bubbly personality – which is not so bubbly so as to stop you being cool, LOL – both of which are great assets in this business. Your performances, including the one featuring your own song were all solid in the “entertainment” department – in spite of the little “backing band” glitches here and there.
• My production considerations: Woo-hoo, you could be a fun project to develop. You’ve got absolutely the kind of energy a producer loves to help refine and shape. Your song was certainly interesting enough for me to believe that it’s worth spending some time to make it kill. So, will it be you then? Read on.

Jack

• The song: You chose to develop a riff and a lyric and present them separately. Then, reluctantly, you sang it a cappella. The riff itself was cool. I could imagine a U2-style melody line running over it. The lyrics seemed fine, though I couldn’t recall what they were about barely minutes after you read them. The way you presented the song, I couldn’t relate to it – but that little riff you played has lots of promise!
• The vocal: Since you did your best not to sing, I’m assuming you don’t see yourself as a singer, even though the little that you did sing revealed a whole lot of vocal sensitivity there – trying very hard to hide itself. But, I see you’re a drummer, bassist and guitarist as well, so no worries. Still, I can’t assess your vocal beyond that.
• The performance: You were a bit too guarded and cautious. I used to be that way when I was very young, so I can relate to that very well. Afraid to put a foot wrong or to make a fool of myself. And yet you’ve got plenty of potential, of that there is no doubt. Just don’t be too cagey! 🙂
• My production considerations: You’re one of those ready-made challenges for a producer. Tough nut to crack on the one hand, but potentially a treasure-trove of unexpected surprises. Your song was very very raw, so it would be easy to re-work it from ground up…and get YOU to actually sing it! So, will I pick you in that case? Read on.

Inga

• The song: It was Mark who reminded me of your song – which was the last on the night and you performed it with Safina. In fact, in my warped recollection I thought it was Safina’s song, but now I remember you as well. I don’t remember much of the song itself any more, other than general impressions. As I remember it, the song had a nice, if slightly generic, rock feel. It was great for what it was – but whatever its message was, was lost on me.
• The vocal: As I remember it, you seemed to be a bit in Safina’s shadow, not quite claiming your space! I remember a nice, pleasant vocal tone – and a hint of insecurity. It could be just my impression, of course. But projection is key and I would have wanted to hear more of it.
• The performance: Teaming up with Safina for this song was a two-edged sword of an idea. Safina’s energy carried the performance, but also stole some of your limelight. Which is a shame, because I’m totally sure you’ve got a lot more to offer!
• My production considerations: You could definitely benefit from focused in-studio development and I bet you’d be great to work with. But will I pick you this time? Read on.