Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.-Mark Twain
In order to get the most of out life and obtain what some if not all of what we aspire to, we not only must proactively persue our goals and dreams, but also must continue pressing forward as if no weight or circumstance is an obstacle. However, in the process of moving forward, keep in mind, you're only one step away from success.
Take Collette McLafferty, for example. In knowing she wanted a little more out of life, she set forth trailblazing her very own path to success. She hasn't looked back since. Just this past year, Collette became co-host of the most popular show in the comedy category on blogtalk radio and her band EdibleRed was featured on MTV.com, VH1.com and MTV Canada to name a few.
Here we are in 2010 and Collette plans to continue her success with the momentum generated from last year. With some wonderful words and wisdom to share, Collette McLafferty discussess life through her eyes and what success means to her.
[As Told To Why Blue Matters]
So tell me a little bit about yourself:
Where are you from?
CM: I am originally from Chicago, I moved to New York city on a
Greyhound bus straight out of high school with $1000 I saved from
working at McDonalds and doing summer stock theatre.
Interest(s)?
CM: I love to cook, feng shui my room and go on Youtube and Blog Talk
Radio for hours, watch people's videos and listen to people's radio
shows. I love the internet and that anyone can have a platform for
creativity.... sometimes the more obscure shows are the ones that
fascinate me.
What do you like most about being a singer/songwriter?
CM: What I like the best about being a singer/songwriter is relating to
my fellow human being.
What's the thought process behind your works?
...from personal experience?
...mere creativity?
CM: To be honest, there is no rhyme or reason to the thought process
behind the creativity. It usually starts with a spark or an idea...
usually when I am walking/cleaning the house/doing something
meditative. Sometimes ideas don't come for a while. When that happens,
I turn to another part of my creativity to get inspired. I'll paint my
room or make a silly Youtube video. Then the ideas usually come back!
What inspires and motivates you?
CM: What inspires me the most right now is the internet. The fact that
there is a platform for uncensored creativity is mind blowing. I have
also connected to some amazing individuals/companies just from surfing
around. Everything from my friend Zach Day, a high schooler from
Kentucky who hosts a show in his living room to X1FM in San Diego who
are completely revolutionizing the way we experience radio and
discover music. I was so blown away by X1FM, that I had to personally
fly to out to the station to see what was going on behind the scenes.
It is mind blowing an everyone should check it out. www.x1fm.com
How long have you been involved in music?
CM: I have been involved in music all my life. I started singing
professionally at the age of 15.
Considering this is the top of the year, what do you plan to accomplish in 2010?
CM: Wow, there is so much I want to accomplish in the year 2010. The
end of 2009 was pretty huge for me. edibleRed made their debut on
MTV.com, Vh1.com, MTV Canada etc. I also became the co-host of "Dr.
Blogstein's Radio Happy Hour" at the end of the year. My interests are
starting to broaden beyond my music career. 2010 is the year that it
all comes together and works harmoniously. I'll be a guest on a few
tracks by other artists this year, I also plan on making a ton of
music videos for edibleRed and will getting more involved in the
production end of the radio show. In addition, I'll am going to
dabble in being a guest VJ on a couple of projects, but those details
are under wraps right now!
Who would you love to collaborate with musically?
...Why?
CM: Musically, I am dying to collaborate with Onision from Youtube...
although he is primarily a video star.. his songs are very "out there"
and his music videos have a Warholesque quality to them and are about
the most random things, like dancing bananas! It's the type of thing I
could never get away with releasing on my record label (Select
Records).. so it would be cool to do a guest spot. I also want to
drop a hook on an Outkast record.
What type of impact would you like to leave with your music?
CM:With my music I just want people to be entertained and walk away
with a feeling that they can relate to what I'm saying. 20 years from
now I want to be remembered, even if it is on VH1's "One hit wonders
of the '10's". It's important to me that I leave a mark.
What's in your iPod right now?
CM: LOL, I do not have an Ipod! My electromagnetic field tends to
break machines so I just gave up on owning the newest devices. On my
Itunes I have Auf Der Maur, White Stripes, Pillow Theory, Madonna
"Justify My Love" remixes, Queens of the Stone Age, some obscure
Japanese Pop, Brazillian Girls, Tricky, Prince, Prince and more
Prince.
I understand, you're the co-host of The Dr.Blogstein Show. Can you tell me a little about that?
CM: I was on the Dr. Blogstein show 2 years in a row as a guest
promoting edibleRed. Their co-host Dangerous Lee left the show to
promote her new book "Keep Your Panties Up and Your Skirt Down"... I
was asked to audition as a guest co-host. from minute one I wasn't
afraid to express my opinions or sound stupid. There were times when I
was not an expert in the topic at hand and I wasn't afraid to ask
questions and admit it (usually when it comes to sports, action movies
or politics!) I also got involved with booking the guests. In 2010,
I'd like to develop some video content and make the show even bigger
then it is now. (It's currently the number one comedy show on Blog
Talk radio)
Any advice for those looking to pursue their goals and dreams?
...for vocalists?
...for lyricists?
For people pursuing their dreams... 1) be prepared to work hard 2)
surround yourself with positive people... there are many out there who
don't believe your goals are possible... stay far, far away from those
people. If you hear the words "I can't" or "I Hope", run do not walk!
3) Don't read reviews or Youtube comments, unless you have a very
thick skin. Take bad press with a grain of salt. Learn from it, but
know when it is just someone's opinion. 4) Don't ever put out a false
version of yourself artistically in the name of getting a record deal
or appealing to the masses. It never, ever works. Britney Spears sold
a zillion records because she was being true to who she is as an
artist, not because she was selling out. 5) If things feel like the
are "going against the grain" all the time, step back and ask yourself
if it is time to change directions... success is a journey, not a
destination.
For More On Collette McLafferty:
http://www.myspace.com/ediblered
http://www.drblogstein.com/
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