Author
What's your band/artist name? Can you tell us a little bit about you and your career/projects so far?
My name is Violet Greens and I am a musician, singer, composer, arranger, and visual artist from Germany. I embarked on my professional journey back in 2009, regularly performing at local clubs. After graduating high school, I started studying Jazz Vocals with Norbert Gottschalk. From 2014 to 2016, I had the opportunity to narrate he tragic life story of Billie Holiday, one of my greatest influences, in the theatrical production of "Lady Sings The Blues." I performed at the International Taichung Jazz Festival in October 2015 and gained further international experience in 2018 at the International Riga Jazz Stage Competition in Latvia. In 2019 I performed at the Open House Festival in Vilnius. As part of the newcomer jazz series "PureJazz Sessions" funded by the Goethe-Institut, I performed in Bucharest in 2022.I completed my master’s degree at the University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig in 2021. Since then I am in the free fall so to speak and have been treading my path as bandleader of the jazz ensemble "Violet Greens Swaggz The Swing". In 2022 I released 2 singles as part of the Neustart Kultur scholarship 2021.Growing up between different cultures and mindsets, I encountered a continuous state of uncertainty that cultivated a penchant for theatrics and excessiveness upon which I derive my artistic strength, overcoming barriers and translating perceptions and emotions into a universal language.
How did you get into music and what were /are your influences?
I was born into a family with a strong musical and artistic background and was regularly exposed to a variety of music genres including jazz, soul and classical music, ballet, and fine arts.I began playing the piano at the age of 5, but due to various circumstances, stopped playing for an extended period of time. Despite this break, music has always held great significance in my life, in one way or another.When I was 19 years old, I made the decision to pursue a professional career as a musician.
Which partners / artists have inspired / accompanied you on your way and how?
My father, who is a professional musician and composer, has been an enormous source of inspiration in my life. He has not only introduced me to a wide range of genres and artists, but has also shared his expertise and musical insights with me. His support and encouragement have empowered me to push the boundaries of my artistic expression and explore new horizons.
How would you describe your music or your sound?
I would characterize my music as a conglomerate or rather a sythesis between different elements of Jazz, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop and emotive melodies - juxtaposing mostly sombre, absurdism-inclined lyrics with an upbeat groove.
What was your most formative experience in your career so far?
The entire process of establishing myself as a musician has been the most formative experience in my career so far. From the early stages of developing my skills and finding my artistic voice to the challenges of navigating the music industry and building a fanbase, every step has contributed to a sometimes painful but necessary growth and development.
Can you tell us about highs and lows of your music career so far. How did you tackle it and what have you learnt from it?
By deciding to pursue a career as a professional musician, you basically sign up for constantly being in the state of an emotional roller coaster. You’ll find yourself in a ongoing interplay of euphoria and inner turmoil. This can be quite draining and exhausting. That’s why I think it’s absolutely necessary to radically accept all your obstacles, difficulties and detours even although they sometimes seem like a Sisyphean task, because that’s all part of the process.
How did you hear about MusicHub and why did you choose our platform to distribute your music?
I came across MusicHub through recommendations from a fellow musician who have had a positive experience and chose MusicHub as my preferred platform to distribute my music because of its strong compatibility with GEMA, its wide- reaching network and its user-friendly interface.
Tell us more about your latest MusicHub release.
My latest single Fallin' feat. Slim Guerilla tells the story of a torn, afflicted misfit who's overburdened by a fast-paced and duplicitous society and got lost in life’s (metaphorical) maze. I composed the song approximately two years ago, set it aside and completely forgot about it until I stumbled upon a voice memo of the song on my phone and decided to bring it to completion.During the past summer, my drummer introduced me to the artistry of Slim Guerilla. We were enjoying a barbecue when one of Slim's tracks started playing on Spotify. Instantly hooked, I initially believed he was an artist from the old school era of the 90s. I started following Slim on Instagram and plucked up all my courage to reach out and ask if he would be interested in collaborating on a feature.
What goals do you still want to achieve? What are your plans for the future?
I’ll be releasing 3 more singles in 2023, the next single "F_in the Rain" coming out July 6th. Additionally, I am planning to go on tour next year as part of an album release.
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