Vocal Freedom Podcast

Welcome friends, I hope you are feeling well today.  My guest this week is singer/songwriter Curtis Culley.  I have invited Curtis on the podcast to talk us through what it is like to be young, ambitious and driven despite living with Multiple Sclerosis and other health conditions.   In this episode we get a look inside the struggles, the journey, the treatment and Curtis explains so much about how this demyelinating disease works.

Curtis has had to learn to play guitar again, working around nerve damage caused by the MS and I’m pleased to share, he has developed a new found freedom with his voice.   Positivity and speaking out from young people always impresses me and fills me with hope!  This young mans outlook and dedication to his practice, doing what he can to work around new symptoms every day, is incredibly inspiring.  Some of his songs have already been signed and released by other artists and he has now returned to writing original material, after many years of singing covers, which we will follow with keen interest, and share with posts on our Facebook group page when it lands.

With regards to the singers that inspire Curtis, check out

Daughtry - Witness (stripped)

Dan + Shay ft. Justin Bieber - 10,000 Hours

Fun ft. Janelle Monáe - We Are Young (Acoustic)

Rascal Flatts - Bless the Broken Road (live)

Show notes / times:

4:20 Curtis explains how MS started for him while he was at Uni.   

6:00 You own it! I love this positive attitude! Dads advice helps too.

6:40 What is M.S?

13:25 The journey into music and singing plus success with songwriting

18:20 Changing pace and the fun of busking

19:55 Touring with a country music band and Curtis’ philosophy on life

22:30 Taking risks

25:40 What is a flare up?

27.30 How MS can affect emotions.

29:30 Deeper questions of live and death

33:00 Whose voices inspire you?

38:00 Nerves in the system

39:15 Audition experience

41:00 Dealing with self doubt

43:00 “Outwork your own doubt”

44:00 The old truth and the new truth

49:00 Motivating my friends

50:00 What is Vocal Freedom to you?

My guest this week is singing teacher, creative performing artist and writer Rebecca Schwarz.  Rebecca has had a rollercoaster journey with her voice from losing all her confidence during her acting training to completely losing her singing voice for over six months, tied to her post natal depression, she understands what it is like to be afraid and feel vulnerable around voice use. 

That chapter of her life inspired Rebecca to write her one woman musical “Baby Brained” and she was in the middle of touring it with Arts Council Funding before the project was paused due to Covid-19.

Rebecca has established many choirs and currently runs Cantare Choir as well as teaching privately a mix of shy compete beginners and professional voice users (currently online only).  She is trained and qualified in loads of different approaches and likes to facilitate her clients so they get the most from their lessons.

Once the “Baby Brained” tour is back up and running, we would love Rebecca to come and perform it in Colchester! 

I’ve invited Rebecca on to chat about her journey, her creative process and along the way we chat through the challenges of moving events online and future projects.  Rebecca is also on the Education Committee of the British Voice Association and has been involved in some brilliant events and has more to come in 2021 online! 

During our chat Rebecca names Liane Carroll as a favourite and here you can check out the song she mentions performed live at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Cafe :  walk on the wild side

We were catching up while Rebecca is at home with her husband Matt and two children so there is a little background noise a couple of times, hey that’s real life folks!  It’s an absolute pleasure to chat with Rebecca who is brilliantly funny, quick witted and open minded.  I look forward to a future time when we can get ourselves out to sing together once more!   

Wherever you are, I hope you are safe and feel free to check in and share what you think of the podcast on our Facebook Page.

My guest this week is the amazing artist, DJ and singer Tallulah Goodtimes.   

Tallulah’s debut album “Interstellar Swing” takes you through an energetic romp through the electro-swing and the vintage remix universe!  Tallulah Goodtimes is a purveyor or good times, through spreading Universal love, truth and collective good times.

Taking up the decks at the tender age of 16, Tallulah has been on an interesting and creative journey towards the here and now.  Three decades later, she has just released her first self-penned album of electro swing songs which are a joy for your ears. 

I encourage you all to check out her album, its on Spotify but even better please support her by downloading or buying her CD here

My guest this week is "The Vocal Alchemist" Sharleen Linton, who now helps public speakers transform their nerves into confidence and power.  Sharleen has previously used her voice as a professional backing singer for artists including Adele, Smokey Robinson, Craig David, Natasha Bedingfield and John Legend.

However, after years travelling extensively, Sharleen has now shifted path and moved into helping others unlock their true vocal potential.   A true entrepreneur at heart, Sharleen creates her own magic and helps others do the same.   

Sharleen is all about educating, supporting and helping others understand the importance of the environment they create within themselves with their internal voice.  It’s so important to recognise how you speak, feel and govern yourself emotionally, physically and spiritually, will affect how your voice behaves.   If you are steadfast and focussed about what it is that you are creating, what you will discover is that often the biggest opportunities will come to you, like unseen forces are working on your behalf.

We nip off topic towards the end of the episode, dipping into the state of US politics, but it all ties in to discuss the power of unshakeable self belief.

This grammy winning performance of Layla Hathaway is referenced during our chat, it's so worth another watch even if you have seen it from when it went viral 7 years ago - around 6 minutes in she overtones.

Layla Hathaway with Snarky Puppy

You can also enjoy Sharleen singing All Night Long here

If you would like to connect with Sharleen, check out her facebook group "The Confident Speakers Corner" and follow her on socials under the name "The Vocal Alchemist".

I have one more episode to share with you next week before Christmas, but in the meantime I wanted to introduce Gethin to the Vocal Freedom community as he decided to join in the Reset & Manifest Pilot Programme I am launching on 1st January 2021.  So naturally, I am quite excited about that!

Welcome to this special episode of the Vocal Freedom Podcast.

My guest this week is multi-award winning social impact entrepreneur, champion of diversity, inclusion and equality Joanna Abeyie, MBE.  I asked Joanna onto the Vocal Freedom Podcast after recently hearing her give an inspiring talk concerning anti-racism for the Musicians Union.    I find voices like Joanna's so inspiring and  important to help bring about the change we need in this world.   

Joanna is the founder & creator of Blue Moon click here to visit her website and learn how she can help you and your workplace.  Their consultancy work champions culture transformation to ensure all voices are being heard and treated fairly in the workplace as well as other services. 

It can really help us grow to hold a mirror up to ourselves and ask these difficult questions about our beliefs and behaviours.  How we feel about race, diversity and inclusion is reflected in how we contribute to bringing about actual change against systemic racism in the arts and well... world!

Natives by Akala

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? by Beverly Danial Tatum, PhD

Me & White Supremacy by Layla Saad

Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

How to be an Anti-racist by Ibram Kendi

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Songbird by Eva Cassidy

If you are on facebook @vocalfreedom, please give us a like or follow to keep up to date with new episodes and special offers coming over the holidays!

Come learn more about us and how you can share your story here

Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas Season! Stay well and be kind xx 

Host update and Invitation episode!

I'm sharing some exciting research work from January 2021 and am reaching out for test subjects to participate in a short eight session pilot study.

Tune in today to hear if this resonates with you and sign up on the podcast page to ensure you don't miss the chance to apply!  I am so excited to be moving forward with this study and offering new opportunities to the Vocal Freedom podcast community starting on 1st January 2021.  

If you are looking for motivation for the new year and are interested in hacking your nervous system, overcoming your performance fears and experiencing something new, do tune in to hear what its all about...as well as a few personal stories which seemingly wanted to flow out of me today... touching on parents, panic attacks & experiencing trolls... 

Easily keep up to date with news by joining the Vocal Freedom Movement here

Love and peace to all of you, Leigh x

My guest this week is Chief Executive Officer for BAPAM (The British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) Claire Cordeaux.  BAPAMs expert clinicians understand the demands of a performing arts career and can help you with physical and mental health problems related to your creative practice. 

You don’t have to be sick to get help from BAPAM, if you do have a health problem that is affecting your ability to do your job in performing arts call them on 0207 404 8444 or visit https://www.bapam.org.uk.  

The above link has a brief audio interview with a young Joni talking about stumbling into music. Followed by a live performance of Little Green in New York in 1967.  I hadn’t watched this performance before and found it quite captivating,  I was interested how natural her flow was and how much the lyrics got me thinking!  Don't you love song lyrics that seem like they are offering advice, or a view that offers new possibilities?

AARTWORK - Road Trip  

If you have anything to feedback about this episode please leave your comments on our Facebook page @vocal freedom and join in the conversation!

My guest this week is respected musician, multi-instrumentalist, choir director, arranger, singing tutor and vocalist Andi Hopgood.  

Andi's work with the MU has taken her to Parliament to challenge MPs about issues including low and no pay, access to music education and most recently mental health.  Her activism is not just confined to the MU. Andi has also been a local counsellor, on her local trades council, and leads a local network of music industry professionals, all in her home town of Ipswich.

Shirley Horn - Here's To Life

Betty Carter - Tight (live)

Carmen McRae - Secret Love

My guest this week is UK Vocalist/Pianist/Touring Musician Emily Lynn.  Emily has been singing with the Australian Pink Floyd Show since 2010, a tribute act that are so good they were even engaged by David Gilmour to perform at his 50th birthday celebration.  Having sold over four million tickets to concerts that have taken place in 35 countries, Emily is used to travelling and performing in stadiums and arenas across the globe!  

Check out the following songs Emily referenced and some of her performances:

The King's Singers - Goodnight my Angel

Lianne La Havas - Bittersweet (Live with orchestra)

Heather Findlay - Caught in a fold (live with Emily on keys)

Australian Pink Floyd - Great gig in the sky (Emily sings last)

The Rockabellas Promo from 2017

Follow Emily @emilylynnvocals on socials and give her a shout if you need any vocals recorded! Emilys full website is www.emilylynnvocals.com

Happy Friday y'all - I hope you are staying safe and well xx