theaussieword.com’s exclusive interview with Antonique Smith!
Give us an introduction. How did it all begin? What had you first interested in music? When I was a little girl, I heard the perfection that is Whitney Houston’s voice and I wanted to sound like her. So, I taught myself to sing by singing to her music. I don’t know if I would’ve become a singer if I hadn’t heard her! She inspired me that much. She’s also from East Orange, NJ! She’s my hometown hero!
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music? I feel like I’ve been given a gift to sing and it’s my purpose in life to share it with the world. I’ve also been through some experiences and gained some wisdom and nothing else touches people quite like music so I hope to help people, inspire them and make them think when they hear my music.
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist? It would be incredible to have a diamond album and to be an EGOT (win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour? I’m gonna release my album in a few months and would love to be on tour. Don’t have those details yet but stay tuned!
Tell us a bit about your latest album and how would you best describe your music? I like to call my sound “Pop/Soul with a Hip Hop appeal to it”. The album is called “Love Is Everything”. I truly believe that if we all loved one another more, most of the problems in our world wouldn’t exist. The album will deal with the different facets and experiences of love.
Success, what is the secret to it? Perseverance! There’s a lot of obstacles on the road to success and the majority of time, what separates the person who reaches success from the person who doesn’t is that the they didn’t quit. They found the will and passion and strength to keep going. It’s not easy. It’s been a long and sometimes very difficult journey for me but my family and friends including my amazing manager and my relationship with God helped me find the strength to keep going. Sometimes they pushed me or even pulled me along in the harder times. A support system of love is the biggest blessing.
What has been your biggest career highlight? I have to say, finding out I was nominated for a Grammy last month for my first single Hold Up Wait A Minute was unbelievable!!!! I’m still pinching myself. Prior to that, it was the time I sang impromptu with Stevie Wonder last year. He heard me singing and came onto the stage and had me sing with him. Crazy!
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring? Celine Dion’s voice and superior level of discipline has always inspired me. She will go completely without talking to make sure her voice is rested for her shows and she doesn’t eat dairy because it cause mucus and inflammation on your vocal chords. I talk too much and I love vanilla milkshakes. Lol I definitely gotta step my voice care game up.
Any new projects in the pipeline? My next single and the album are top priority!
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now? I see myself all over the world touching people with my voice and helping people with my message.
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists. Sia is my favorite!! She’s an incredible singer and songwriter and I hope I get to work with her one day soon. I also love Iggy Azalea and Guy Sebastian.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye? There has been a lot of changes but the beauty of one of the changes is the closer relationship between artist and fan. Social media allows you to connect with and know your audience more than ever before. There’s an intimacy there and it’s easier to have a grassroots approach because it feels more personal.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye? There has been a lot of changes but the beauty of one of the changes is the closer relationship between artist and fan. Social media allows you to connect with and know your audience more than ever before. There’s an intimacy there and it’s easier to have a grassroots approach because it feels more personal.
Thanks for the interview! What final message do you have for us today? Thank you for having me! I want to say thank you to my supporters and fans for being on this journey with me! I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without you and we’re just getting started!!
Website: www.Antonique.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AntoniqueSmithFB
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AntoniqueSmith
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AntoniqueSmithFB
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AntoniqueSmith