South Florida Indie Music Artist Talent Support Developers & Musical Agency Management

01 - Artist Name & Location = Jessica Caylyn from Antioch, California.

02 - How did the project come into existence? = Singing and performing had been a passion of mine for years. I started out performing solo to backing tracks anywhere that had live music, basically. I sang at karaoke bars, county fairs, church, weddings, private parties, baseball games, school talent shows, etc. As a junior in high school, I formed my band. I knew it was time to put the instrumental tracks aside and put on a full show with a full sound. Not long after, I started networking with songwriters in Nashville. I met my producer there who I ended up recording with. That also brought many new connections.

In February, 2010, after plenty of writing and narrowing down songs, I cut four songs at Ocean Way Studios, three of which I wrote. “On the Edge” is a compilation of my first professionally recorded songs. The main goal was to see how each song, being pretty different from the other, was received by live audiences and people buying the CD's, whom had only heard me previously sing cover songs, or never heard me. This process and receiving ongoing feedback from many sources has really helped me define where I’m going as an artist. I'm more confident about what feels right and what I’m drawn to musically and lyrically since almost a year ago.

03 - Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it? = I sing lead. Jeff Young plays bass and does backup vocals. Bill Sheridan performs lead guitar and sings harmonies. Christian Canalita is my primary drummer (on injury leave) and Mike Hutchings has done an excellent job filling in on drums. Jason Kinney performs on rhythm guitar.

The majority of the songs we play fall under “contemporary country.” Since I also really enjoy some classic rock and pop, we have a handful of those songs in our set list too. My original material has a lot of pop groove to it but also has country story line lyrics. The band and I bring high energy. I don’t like to just sing songs, I like to perform songs. The goal is for the fans to not only have fun, but to really feel the music and a personal connection with us.

04 - How would you describe your sound/genre? = Country Pop with a taste of soulfulness because of the richness of my voice.

05 - What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have? = I have had professional vocal coaching off and on starting when I was 10 yrs old. All of my musicians have played in multiple bands. Our music director and bass player, Jeff Young, graduated from Bass Institute & Technology (BIT). Jeff also studied with local jazz bassist Dewayne Pate. Christian Canalita played in his College Jazz Band and studied with Alan Hall at the Berkeley Jazz School, and well known drumset educators John Xepoleas and Mike Johnston in Sacramento. He is a drum instructor and part of the Vic Firth (drumstick manufacturer) Education Team. Bill Sheridan has played lead and rhythm guitar in multiple bands of various genres and has been playing since he was 13 yrs old. Bill is the band lefty and has beautiful vocals that harmonize well with Jessicas vocals. Jason Kinney has been playing guitar and bass since he was 9 yrs old. He's learned a lot from his father, Bob Kinney, who has played with Eddie Money, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Scott Joss Band, the Drifters and Copperhead.

06 - Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album? = I will continue to work with the producer I have now, Steffon Hamulak, President of Sea the Desert Entertainment. He has been extremely helpful in my growth this last year, is an honest business person, and overall great guy!

07 - Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music? = Regarding my writing and vocal style, I’d say Adele has been an influence on me recently. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, along with other folk/rock/alternative bands have influenced my stage presence and energy level when performing. Additionally, there have been many musical influences including Martina McBride, Michelle Branch, Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow, Colby Callait, Heart, Carrie Underwood.

Influences to the sound of my band and the majority of the songs we play would be Carrie Underwood (especially when her last album crossed over to the more pop rock side and so did her style), Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

08 - What advice would you give to others starting out? = Playing shows builds confidence and it’s helped me to mature greatly and deal with many different types of people. So, play as much as you can! Writing is good for the heart and mind because it’s a release. To me, the personal connection through a performance of a song is what makes a true artist.

09 - Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music? 

1. www.jessicacaylyn.com  
2. www.facebook.com/JessicaCaylynMusic

10 - If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with? = There are many, but since you are asking for one... I'd love to perform with Keith Urban in a big stadium in Australia. I love Keith's energy and his music. I chose Australia because it looks beautiful in pictures and he's from Australia. It would be a great show!

11 - What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole? = The best experience as an individual thus far would be going to Nashville on my own for a month and recording my EP. Meeting the people there that I’ve built some great relationships with and being in the studio with session players at a studio where some very influential people recorded are the highlights. It was also the first time I’d been away from family (home) for more than a few nights. I felt like I was able to grow and mature because of that trip, although some of it was a bit overwhelming.

I learned more about the music business that trip than I had ever learned previously. Something about "Music City" and the passionate people that live there who eat, breathe, and sleep music makes me want to push myself to my full potential. There were times I was out of my comfort zone, but it was good for me to experience that.

12 - Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about? = Recording some new songs I’ve been writing in the New Year! A completely revamped website will be up some time in Jan. '12. I'm learning more about the business of music, including working with a financial model. Whenever we get investors, we'll be advancing my career to the next level with promotional campaigns done by pros instead of only on our own, and radio tours with medium and major stations.

13 - Where do you see yourselves or hope to be in about 5 years? = In five years, I see myself touring and playing shows nationally, if not internationally. Not necessarily headlining (although that would be nice); even if it’s with another artist, I just want to perform! I’ll have a full album with my own “sound” defined and locked in that’s completely me that others can enjoy.