From Rehearsal to Reality: My First Gig!

I sat in my car for a few minutes before entering the bistro. With my eyes closed, I transported myself to all of my rehearsals as a reminder that I was ready to perform. As soon as I returned to the present, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement because I felt like I was making progress towards my goal of becoming an independent artist. My journey has unfolded more slowly than others due to some personal obstacles, but I never stopped moving forward. I've accepted that I'm on my timeline and that it's important for me to keep things sustainable yet progressive. Comparison is the thief of joy. The only person I am competing against is myself, and as I keep competing, my journey will become more elaborate. I'll write more songs, book more gigs, and perform at more open mics consistently. So far, securing my first gig at the Finnish Bistro has been the highlight of my Journey. I overcame my fear of performing a 45-minute set, and it fueled my desire to book more gigs.

Chanelmarie Brooks at the Finnish Bistro's Artist Showcase

With the weight of my emotions resting on my shoulders, I mustered the courage to walk into the Finnish Bistro. Upon entering, I  immediately saw the host setting up, and I cheerfully said hello with a hearty smile plastered across my face. The host returned the energy and greeted me kindly.  I was very receptive to the warm energy, and it temporarily eased the internal tension haunting me. Within a few minutes, we did a quick sound check, and then he explained how the show would go. As he spoke, his words were swirling over my head, and I zoned out a few times because all I could think about was my performance. I wanted to show the audience how much effort I had put into writing and performing my original songs. I wanted them to feel my passion and my soul because music and performing are the fuel that keep my heart beating and life exciting!

Natural light, the smell of coffee, and an intimate audience filled the room. It was a cozy vibe suitable for a first-time performer. I sat down at a wooden table tucked in a corner, a few feet from the stage. I began to gather my thoughts and rehearse my material in my head. Everything around me became a blur because I was focused on nailing my performance. Even though the atmosphere was very laid back,  my focus became heightened like a high school student preparing for a presentation that would determine their final grade. Before I perform, I like to sit in silence and mentally prepare by visualizing myself on stage and taking deep breaths. Just as I was about to take another deep breath, I heard a voice from behind  say, "Are you excited for the show?!" It was *Lisa. She was going to perform a short set list after me. I responded by saying,  ''Yes, but I'm so nervous."  She went on to say some encouraging words and some things along the lines of "it's going to be a great show" and "you'll do great."  Lisa was very sweet. Her infectious positivity and effervescent energy radiated like the glow of stars in the sky. She introduced me to her friends and family, who were all very kind to me and excited to see me perform. This is what I love about the music scene in Minnesota. It's a beautiful community of friendly people who encourage you to pursue your goals and provide a supportive environment. 

The host of the artist showcase sat across from me and began to gobble down his dinner as we chatted. We talked about my EP and his experience recording in the studio when he was younger, living in Japan. I was fascinated by the complexity of recording as he explained how many takes he had to record to get the perfect recording and how the process required a lot of patience. As I listened, I was so grateful for the advancements that have been made in recording because I am not tech-savvy! He went on to explain how impressed he was with my EP, A Soulful Silhouette. He said it was a very good album and that I should be proud of the work I put into it. A sheepish grin crept up on my face because I was overcome with gratitude as memories from recording A Soulful Silhouette flashed through my mind. The host was a kind soul, passionate about supporting artists and the music community. I admired his outgoing energy. He always went out of his way to make everyone feel welcome. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I lost track of time.

Ten minutes had gone by, and the show was about to start.  As soon as I stepped on stage, a burst of energy jolted through my body, and I felt elated.  An intimate crowd, consisting of friends and families, occupied the space. As the host introduced me to the audience, all I could do was stare at them in amazement. Even though it was an intimate setting, it felt weird to be the center of attention. This kind of attention felt different compared to the open mics. I felt grateful for this experience because I am still trying to build my presence in the music scene. I felt blessed that the Finnish Bistro gave me a chance to perform my first show.

Chanelmarie Brooks puts the audience in a groovy mood while performing her song Calm Down, from her EP A Soulful Silhouette

 After the short introduction, I began my set with "Girl You Need to Stop," a soulful song about heartbreak, letting go, and self-love. As soon as I sang the first note, I was intoxicated by the euphoria of performing a full set of songs, yet shackled by the intensity of the anxiety and fear running through my body. There was no turning back because I made a commitment. I  knew that I wanted to do this for a living, so I had to persevere through the tornado of emotions swirling inside of me. Midway through the song, I started to get in the groove, and the audience seemed to resonate with the song. Smiling faces and positive vibes radiated throughout the bistro. This was the beginning of a beautiful show.

After four songs and a few sips of tea, Whatever Lola Wants was my next song to sing. This song embodies everything I want to be. Sexy, sultry, intriguing, and mysterious. I'm inspired by Sarah Vaughn's deep and lush vocal delivery. It's operatic, soulful, and captivating. It felt very comfortable to sing Whatever Lola Wants because I am emotionally connected to the song. Every time I sing it, I feel like I am Lola, a sultry soul singer ready to entice the audience. Out of all of the songs I performed, this was the best one in terms of my delivery.  I felt confident while performing, and I felt good afterward.

Looking back, I feel accomplished, proud, and excited for what is next. My show at the Finnish Bistro went very well, and I am truly grateful to all of the people who came to see me perform. My journey has been slow and steady, but I am starting to reach major milestones. I've taken many music classes, participated in the Dynamic Voice program, recorded an EP, A Soulful Silhouette, and performed at the Finnish Bistro. I am working on being consistent and performing at more open mics. Competition is the thief of growth. I am not competing with anyone but myself, and my only desire is to be better than I was yesterday. Now that I have reached this milestone, my goal is to book shows consistently, collaborate with some local artists, and perform at more open mics. Thank you so much to the Finnish Bistro for giving me a chance to perform at my very first artist showcase.

Credits

Photos and videos by: Jun S.

Venue: Finnish Bistro

*Name has been changed