Lindsey Cleary

What gave you the idea?

I have been making music and performing all my life. After approaching record companies with a few songs I realised that I would be in a much better position when I actually have a full product. Hence, I have built up a website and a database and am working towards getting an album done. I can then approach companies again in a stronger position, with a full product ready for them to sell.

What were you doing at the time you had the idea?

I decided to do this after a day where I met with Island Records that went really well, and a meeting with a management company that were trying to force me into a hole of how they thought I could best make them money.

What was the first thing you did to try and make your idea happen?

I have been writing and writing. I need to get the right songs and make sure I don’t waste time and money recording the wrong songs. That along with creating a database of fans via the website and off the back of gigs. I have also created “The Journey” - my MySpace blog that I write every week to give a real honest inside account in to what it is like both practically and emotionally for an unsigned artist to get noticed in today’s music industry. I have also been working as much as I can in the industry and have been taking on work as a backing vocalist and session vocalist. This gets me experience and insight in to the industry.

Who helped you, and how?

I am working with songwriters from around the country: Daniele Davoli, Nik Kershaw, Simon Parkin, Shane Beales. I am working with production company Sitting Duck.

Has anyone influenced you and if so who?

I aspire to have a career as long lasting and respected as Beverley Knight. I think she balances being a beautiful woman and a respected performer well. She doesn’t let image become her identity and is constantly trying new ideas musically and she performs with her heart and soul.

What obstacles did you encounter along the way?

Many. The main being money, the second top being working with the right people. It is hard to get the quality that is desired in the music industry without the backing of a large record company. It is hard to put in the amount of time it takes to get the quality when you need to earn money in other ways. It is hard to get the quality of people to work with when you cant pay them. These are obstacles but they are overcome by a lot of sweet talking and hard graft.

When did the idea start looking viable?

This has been my hearts desire since I was about 6. I have never entertained doing anything else with my life. Training at LIPA endorsed the fact it was inevitable this would be my future.

Future plans for the idea?

My future plan consists of writing and recording a great album, re-approaching contacts already made in the record companies and others, doing more showcases in London and being signed by September next year.

How do you encourage enterprise?

I am always looking for new people to work with and if it is locally all the better. Unfortunately most of my work is involved in London, it would be great to create more of an industry up here where you can easily get hold of quality producers, photographers, designers, stylists. (I recently had to go all the way to Norway to do a photo shoot which is not ideal). If an industry could be created up here I think Liverpool would be taken more seriously as a place that has not just ‘has been’ but that creates and nurtures current talent and is a real place of forward thinking, not just talk of the past.

Advice to anyone else who wants to make their idea happen?

Within music, I think it is just grabbing hold of something and running with it, breaking down the barriers that come up by sheer determination. If you don’t have that grit and determination and self belief you don’t stand a chance. There are too many people trying to bring you down and too many practical oppositions as an unsigned artist, that without that determination and focus things will easily stop before they have begun.