Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Giselle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Giselle, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
This is such a great but also intresting question. I have always felt my creativity is what keeps me alive! Not in a sad way, but I geniunely live to create. Creating makes me so happy. When I was a child, I’d always say music and art are the only reason I am here. I still to that day feel this way. But as an adult who suffers lupus and fibro… I have learned that being creative at times can be hard. Not because the ideas stop flowing, but sometimes because it is hard for my body to keep up. There’s some flareups I have where singing hurts or even writing songs or playing instruments. I have learned to be gentle and kind to my body. Even if days are bad, I will record a voice memo that sums up my idea(s) and come back to it when I can. So, in this way, I have had to learn how to keep creativity alive when my body at times cannot keep up.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Thanks so much for having me back! I always love sharing what I do with readers. I am a singer, songwriter and musician in LA. I have been singing since I was a child, even before I could phrase sentences correctly. I have been playing multiple instruments since I was a child as well! What I find most exciting about my career path is connecting with others through my music. I love to make music with a message and to know my music has impacted someone for the better. I also find that to be a really special thing about singing, writing and performing.
As for new projects, I actually just released a new song and music video near the end of last month. I also have a bigger project coming out in 2024 and more shows!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
These are great questions. I’m going to answer the first question in three seperate parts.
Three qualities: Confidence, Resilience and Adaptability. (bonus: Dedication)
Three skills: Communication (being able to speak up for yourself counts under this), Willingless to grow/learn and Promotional Skills.
Three areas of knowledge: Knowing your legal rights as an artist, General Business Knowledge and Industry Knowledge.
To answer the second question, I will also answer in three seperate parts.
Advice to best develop or improve on the three qualities listed: Work on believing in yourself. You have a dream, you have a goal. Remember you CAN reach your dreams. The only person stopping you is you. Even if times are tough, having confidence in yourself will keep you going which will help with your resilience. You will be able to push through any negative thing that comes your way. Once you can do that, your adaptability will become even stronger. Remember, sometimes we have to adapt to new situations in life to eventually blossom into what we truly want for our career.
Advice to best develop or improve on the three skills listed: If you know right from wrong and you see an unjustice happen to someone else… wouldn’t you speak up for them? For most of us, the answer is yes. But when it comes to ourselves and standing up for ourselves, sometimes the answer is no. Stop doing that. Be the voice for yourself! Always stand your ground in any situation you are in. As an artist, let’s say you are working with a video crew who just won’t follow your vision and blueprint for your music video. Don’t let them push you into a direction you don’t want to take. Speak up for your vision, for your art and for yourself! Communication also goes beyond just speaking up for yourself. Having great communication skills can also lead to networking, working with new people and having new opportunities! Practice by going to small networknig events or by sharing what you do with others or even your friends! In order to grow and learn, we have to be willing. Remind yourself that it’s okay to grow as an artist and it’s always great to learn something new! I helped myself understand that once I realized it’s okay to grow as an artist and to try new things. We can learn from others too or other formats of work! Promotional Skills are all about promoting yourself. When I was younger, for some reason I felt almost embarrassed sharing what I do, sharing when I’d have an event, etc. Don’t feel badly for promoting yourself! Promotion goes a long way. Now I promote my projects 24/7 and I don’t care if it’s “annoying.” I gurantee you, promotion will get you not only new listeners but new people who you can connect with musicially and that’s so awesome!
Last, but not least how to improve three areas of knowledge: Knowing your legal rights as an artist is so important. You can do this by researching, reading books and learning from other artists mistakes or correct choices. It can feel like a lot, but thankfully we are in a world where most information is a quick Google search! The same goes for General Business Knowledge and Industry Knowledge. You can learn more by reading, researching and learning from others!
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Lupus and fibromyalgia. These are challenges that I will be facing for the rest of my life. But I have learned how to allow myself time. What I mean by that is, you have to allow yourself time to rest. I know in today’s world that feels almost impossible. People have to pay rent or bills, etc. It feels so hard to even allow yourself time to just sit down and try to catch your breath. But, if you can, just allow even just five or ten minutes to focus on YOU that is important. I have learned that if something is too much for me, it is okay to stop or take a break. I have learned if I cannot do something one day, it doesn’t mean I can’t try again the next day or in a week or two. While sometimes it feels like the easiest thing to do is give up, it isn’t the easiest thing. We deserve to live our lives, pursue our goals and enjoy things when we can. Just remind yourself, if it’s not today… maybe tomorrow. It took a lot for me to realize I had to allow my body time. Time to rest, time to stretch, time to eat even healthier than I already was, time to de-stress, time to soak in the tub, etc. While life is busy and we don’t always have all the time in the world to rest and we feel as if we are “lazy” when we do, please remind yourself you are not lazy for surviving! If there’s anyone else out there reading this and you too suffer from lupus or fibro or suffer from another chronic illness, please know you are not alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itsgisellemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgisellemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsGiselleMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsGiselleMusic
