| So I don't even know this kid, but I'm all about promoting people who deserve it. I've heard great things about him from a couple of reliable sources. If you're in the area, check out his show at The Bitter End in New York City on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. I might even give up my U.S. Open tickets that night to go see him ...
www.xanga.com/vudoosoul.
For people that are too lazy to click on the link above, I pasted his awesome story below (see, this is why I want to be an A&R exec, I want to discover artists & make their dreams come true. Or maybe I just want to live vicariously through the artists I discover  ):
I've got a secret that I wanna tell...
No, really though. 
It's been a story I've been dying to tell y'all, but for a few weeks now, I've been told to keep my mouth shut until the time was right. That time... is right now!
One recent ridiculous day, I got notice from my managers that I needed to be in New York for a very important meeting... a meeting with Motown Records. It was a Tuesday, my busiest day of classes and vocal instruction at Berklee... but obviously, the choice was simple. However, I had already missed HELLA classes by this point, due to my frequent trips to Cali this summer for some great shows. Nearly all my teachers at Berklee think I am the biggest slacker ever. I never turn in HW on-time (if at all), I never show up on-time (if at all), but when I finally DO make it to class... it is clear to them that I am very focused on the content and learning it. This only serves to make them more angry at me, because there's nothing a teacher hates more than someone who can really learn, but doesn't work hard. Or so they think. Hehh. 
So Mr. Vudoo headed to that oh-so-familiar smelling Chinatown bus off to New York. In a foolish move, I took a taxi to get to Columbus Circle, which got stuck in tremendously frustrating traffic through Times Square. But luckily, my managers couldn't find parking and were late too. Once we finally arrived at the headquarters, we got security clearance for a post-business hours meeting with Fred Thomas, the executive director of marketing at Motown Records.
It was my first truly big meeting. Just like the movies kids. A huge conference room with those really long, intimidating tables? Check. A meeting with one of the most powerful people at one of the most influential record labels of all time? Check. Was I scared and nervous when he asked me to sing on the spot? YES GODDAMNIT I WAS AHHHH.  Quite ready to shit in my pants, to be honest.
But he was a very kind, welcoming guy. Yet, I could tell he was reading every little thing about me.
"Tell me about yourself Vu. Tell me a story."
Oy. So I chattered away, not sure how much or how little detail to go into. He stayed quite attentive.
"Alright Vu. Sing me something."
"Sure, let me go set up that keyboard over there..."
"No, I want to hear you acappella first."
Uhh. UHHHHH. *panic panic* Why?? Who the hell knows why, but I did. I sang a rather unconvincing verse and chorus of "Lover Come Over". Boy, it was getting hot in there. My managers shifted uncomfortably in their seats. I didn't screw up... but it was definitely not impressive. Nooo... Damnit I am sucks. 
"Okay, good. Go ahead and set up that keyboard. Let's see what you can do with that."
My weapon of choice? See, I wasn't given a choice. I got this 50-something key Beat-up CASIO. YUP. More like Shitty yo. Ugh. ...The rationale? That if I could impress him with the shittiest keyboard known to mankind, that I could be the real deal.
I asked him to please come closer. As if the atmosphere wasn't already stale and uncondusive for performance, he was sitting rather far away. I told him to get up close and personal. Because I write real music about real feelings. I wanted to make it intimate. With a keyboard set just five feet away in front of him, I played "Oh Too Late".
I was ready this time. Because by this point in my career and life, I've realized something very critical about what it takes to mobilize that elusive "X-factor" in yourself: strong & consistent emotional intensity. There are literally hundreds of thousands of amazing singers out there. I've realized from watching & analyzing everyone from gospel singers to indie rockers to cello players to street jugglers... that if the emotional intent of your performance is both powerful and honest... that you will undeniably engage your audience. How great is the intensity and honesty of your belief in what you are presenting? Because your intensity is the bridge that allows a listener to join your world for that short moment. To buy into your world.
And from the record executive's perspective... to buy your record.
My voice was in pain. Just back from shows in California, rehearsals, and restless days and nights in transit from one city to the next, I was so far from my ideal state. But I could not let that affect me. Nor could I let the room's sterile vibe affect me. What I needed to give (& what Mr. Fred Thomas needed to see) was that my spirit of performance came not from external things... but from within.
INTENSE. I sang the song like I was singing it for my first... and last time.
"Is all your stuff about that tempo?"
"I've got an up-tempo track. You wanna hear that one?"
"Really...? Give me a verse and a chorus."
I put in a recent instrumental backing track of "Constantly 4 U" that I recorded with mah boyz. My voice was beginning to cave, almost literally. But keep on, I did. Eyes wide open... Emotions strong. And thankfully, Mr. Thomas was so feelin' it... that he let me go through the entire song.
"Vu. I am very, very impressed."
"..."
"I think you may have a future here at Motown."
"...!!!!???!?"
"When's your next show? I'd like to bring out our new President Sylvia Rhone. As well as the entire executive A&R staff [i.e. in layman's terms, talent scouts of record labels]. I've got a couple reservations, but if you perform really well live with an audience, this'll be icing on the cake."
So THAT'S the secret folks. Secret's out. Won't you be my audience? 
But this time, it's going to be different. Because the last showcase I did for all these record label A&R's...? It was a real production, and while an undoubtedly fantastic show... I felt like I was begging for them to give me a record deal.
Interestingly enough, the pursuit of a record deal... is not unlike the pursuit of love. Or dating, more like it. You can't act like you want them too badly, even if you do. And they gotta play it cool, like they don't need you either. It's a Big Game. Nobody's gonna wanna date you if you scream of "Look at me, look at me, I'm really cool!!! Pick ME"... or give you a record deal either. And like dating and love... often times, the folks who fair more easily... are the ones who are sure and confident of themselves. They are very well-aware of who they are, and ain't afraid to show it.
So this time around... I'm just gonna do what I know best. Be ME.
Imma have a good time... and just do Vu.
The Bitter End NYC: Thursday, August 31st; 8:00pm
[Fancy Flyer courtesy of the Amazing MIT Phi Kap Brother Christopher Fematt]
So the folks at Motown will be present, yes. Will I treat them any differently than anyone else? Probably not. I'm going to appreciate them just as I appreciate you coming. They're normal people, hence audiences members too. Because I've finally learned that this ain't about impressing anybody anymore. It's about having a good time. Telling an honest story. And y'all know I'm comin' from some real shit. You have all graciously given me your time to support me. All I could ever hope to do is to make sure you walk away from my show feeling like you really enjoyed our time together.
I feel so incredibly ready for this. My Full Band, Background Singers & Percussion. The Bitter End's Stage... is Wide, Up-close and Personal.We're gonna have a CRAZY night of music and fun. Spread the word like FiYAHHHhh. Cut and Paste this, Post, Re-Post, etc!!! 
And a HOT new song... that I wrote during the past 4 days I stayed locked in my room, despite it being my birthday. I love it so much, that I've been keeping it a secret... and will keep it so... until the night of the show. The few people I have divulged the track to so far... have been absolutely blown away. It could possibly be the title track of my new album. I'm Freal.
Are you ready...? Cuz I am. ~ Vu
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