Obscure Singer-Songwriters

[Vicki]

I started a Substack series called "Obscure Singer-Songwriters" meaning people who are not nationally or internationally famous. You can check it out at Obscure Singer-Songwriters. Every Friday I publish a post featuring one singer-songwriter. I have posts lined up and ready to go through July and into August, so far, although there may yet be a change or two. I've published six weekly "spotlights" as of this week. I'm still adjusting and refining my process, so they aren't 100% consistent.

Anyway, two things:

• I'd like to feature a wider variety of artists, so I'll take suggestions and recommendations (you can suggest yourself and/or others). If I start getting too many, I may start publishing twice a week. To make a recommendation, send the name of the artist along with at least one link with bio information and photos, if there is one, and suggest a specific song for the featured song.
• I need subscribers. Right now I have only 125 subscribers and I'd really like the information on these artists to get spread out more. So--if you feel so moved--please check it out. If you like it, subscribe AND share it with as many people as possible, recommending that they also subscribe.

Thanks for reading!

Vicki
aka CaliaMoko from the "old" days.

[icystorm]

@Vicki - I think this is a great idea! I love it! Are Obscure Singer-Songwriters exclusively people who frequent songwriting forums like this one and others, or do you intend a broader definition to also include the offspring, siblings, nieces/nephews of famous people? For example, numerous famous singers, musicians, and songwriters have relatives who tried to following in their footsteps, but they never made it. Some are interesting, but remain obscure.

Either way, it's an interesting project and I wish you well on it!

Cheers,
Joseph

[Vicki]

Interesting question, Joseph!

So far I have limited it to people with whom I interact directly. I ask the artists to provide me with any information (like websites, their EPKs, links to their music), and I use that to assemble the post. I include two photos and feature one of their songs. I ask for their approval before publishing. My thought was to spotlight "local" performers--people who might be well known (or not) in their own local area or region.

I reached out to some singer-songwriters I know and other people have recommended some for me. There will e no shortage! But most of them, so far, are from Minnesota and I'd like to be more inclusive.

@Vicki - I think this is a great idea! I love it! Are Obscure Singer-Songwriters exclusively people who frequent songwriting forums like this one and others, or do you intend a broader definition to also include the offspring, siblings, nieces/nephews of famous people? For example, numerous famous singers, musicians, and songwriters have relatives who tried to following in their footsteps, but they never made it. Some are interesting, but remain obscure.

Either way, it's an interesting project and I wish you well on it!

Cheers,
Joseph

[icystorm]

Interesting question, Joseph!

So far I have limited it to people with whom I interact directly. I ask the artists to provide me with any information (like websites, their EPKs, links to their music), and I use that to assemble the post. I include two photos and feature one of their songs. I ask for their approval before publishing. My thought was to spotlight "local" performers--people who might be well known (or not) in their own local area or region.

I reached out to some singer-songwriters I know and other people have recommended some for me. There will e no shortage! But most of them, so far, are from Minnesota and I'd like to be more inclusive.

I see. It's an interesting concept for sure! Keep us posted on the project!

Joseph

[idunno]

If you reach out to the various national Meet-Up groups you are certain to get inundated with responses. Most probably won't have semi-polished recordings ready to post but that could change once they're motivated by your site. I imagine there will be good things that come from it.

What you'll need to be ready to accept are works that cut across all genres, age groups and people from rank amateurs to professionals who want to see their names in lights. It might be too much to handle so be ready to roll up your shirt sleeves if you're game.

I've been a singer-songwriter all my adult life and but never took myself seriously. If I could make music that was enough, and still is in the sundown side, but I'm sure others want to make their mark and leave a legacy that reaches beyond their cloistered worlds. I wish you the best of success giving them that chance and all the fun it brings.