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Nicole Simone aka Late July is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. Born in Toronto, Ontario she spent her early years state side in Del Mar, California. She is a three time graduate of Seneca College and York University in both arts, music and sociology respectively. In 2010 Late July released her debut EP entitled ‘Side Swept’ produced by Adrian Ellis. She is currently playing shows and working on her next record. When she is not making music, she writes Miss Late July her blog chronicling her on-going adventures. She’s here today to give us some insight into what inspires her, plus some tips and advice from the perspective of a 20-something woman in the Canadian indie music scene.
In a world filled with musicians, artists, bloggers and more, what would you say makes you unique?
You’ll never know where you will find me post to post, I could be in an abandoned graveyard, the heart of a bar on Queen West, somewhere in the Arizona desert, or I could just be in my bedroom clearing out some thoughts from the basement of my brain. I’ll post new songs, interesting things about my band, sometimes I’ll post the random people I meet from Baby Face to a local stray dog. I’m a bizarre adventurer and I blog everyday; rain or shine – even if I have to send my friend my password and say “hey! Type this”.
How would describe the Toronto indie music scene?
It’s vibrant but tough. Someone in the industry that now lives in Nashville told me that it’s one of the toughest scenes to break into in North America because it’s the one big ‘hub’ for Canadian music. While I think a lot of Canadian cities have wonderful additions, Toronto still seems to overshadow just by sheer population. When you think how many acts come out of Toronto per capita compared to the US, it’s actually quite phenomenal. Toronto’s indie scene is always coming up with something good… it’s certainly hard to keep up with! There’s a great act playing every night of the week in this city!
What would you say influences the work you do, what inspires you?
My main focus is music, photography and writing. I encompass all of that on my blog. Individual people inspire me. I observe a great deal when I’m with someone, or close to a particular situation. I’m always curious about how other people feel, think, work, love, hurt et cetera. I would say I’m almost obsessed with the concept of perception. I am a big believer on instinct and first impressions. I find initial clarity charming and I tend to build off that. The arrangement in a song, the way someone phrased something in a conversation, the lines on a persons hand. Small details and motifs tend to hold a great deal of inspiration for me. I adore long car trips, that’s where I do my ground work for just about everything I do creatively.. To bottom line it, the best way I can describe what inspires me is that I take what catches my eye (and other senses), I figure out what about it does, then I build my own muse from that. The creative process, however, is always changing…
Do you have a “Personal Theme Song”? (I know I wouldn’t be able to choose just one, so feel free to list a few!)
My friend Martin rolls his eyes at me every time I say ‘this is my new theme song!’ I don’t think I’ll ever have one theme song. I certainly can look back on every year of my life and think when I was six years old Chuck Berry’s “Rock And Roll Music” was my theme song, or how when I was 16 Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” was an anthem to me. At the beginning of this year I said that Jon Brion’s “Here We Go” would be my theme song. It’s not exactly uplifting, but I think for someone in the middle of their twenties, I couldn’t find a better song to carry on to.
What advice would you give to a 20-something person looking to break into the indie music scene?
Be yourself and true to what inspires you. Be inspired and let yourself be inspired. I am a big believer in intuition, when you get excited over something that’s your innate sense to go after it. Don’t forget the core of why you do what you love. Further to that, make it happen. Where there’s a will, there’s a way – when you’re walking in the right direction sometimes all you have to do is keep walking. No excuses.
I’ve noticed that you are very active on Twitter, facebook & blog every day. How do you think Social Media has helped your success?
I am indeed active in social media. I adore meeting new people and engaging in conversation in person or online. Being active in social media gives a very different dynamic and lets me immerse myself in different scenes and social circles. It gives listeners a way to connect with the artist and I find it kind of enthralling when I get to interact with people who listen to my music. The blog is something I do for myself, but I really love that some people follow it. There’s a good feeling to know that not only it’s being read but that, from time to time anyway, people resonate with it.
Do you have any tips for 20-something artists/entrepreneurs looking to promote themselves or their businesses online?
Engage, engage, engage! Interact with people, only post about what you do 10% of the time. People like to know you are a real live person and no one likes feeling that they are being marketed to. Be yourself, have a sense of humor with all forms of social media and be positive. Don’t ever murk people, even vaguely – it will reflect poorly on you. Be active daily, it’s not easy but it’s important over time you’ll build a following and presence.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Villate