Photo Via Andrea Hunter
Twenty one year old Andrea Godin is a Pop/Dance recording artist from Ontario that has been putting in WORK. She’s performed at high profile venues around Toronto including: Devil’s Martini, Opera House, The Mad Club & Rivoli to name a few and her single titled “Need a minute” is currently receiving FM radio airplay (as well as being played in nightclubs). She’s been featured in magazines and blogs all across Canada, the U.S., and Europe and DeFY. New York was fortunate enough to catch up with her.
Whuddddup Andrea?! I know your schedule is hectic and I’d like to thank you for sitting down with DeFY.
DeFY: What made you want to get involved with music?
Andrea: I’ve always loved singing so much, but I really started to get serious with it when I started writing my own music. I went from performing karaoke songs to performing my own songs that I wrote and it made me enjoy doing music that much more. Now music is pretty much all I do and I want to keep it that way!
DeFY: Do you ever feel discouraged? If so what keeps you motivated?
Andrea: I think most artists feel discouraged at some point in their career. I’m always thinking 6 months to a year ahead and planning what I’ll be doing at that point. Sometimes it gets hard to figure out what to do next and what moves will get you a step or two forward in your career, but somehow it usually ends up working out for the best. When things get a little slow I make sure I always go back to working on the actual music and that always keeps me motivated. Sometimes you get so distracted with the business stuff that you almost forget to do that!
DeFY: The record industry has been experiencing some trying times in the digital age. How do you feel about some artists giving their music away for free?
Andrea: It’s almost like giving away your music is becoming normal in the digital age and I think it can be a smart move at this point. I think if the artist is comfortable with doing that then they should. At the same time, it does make it a lot harder for us to make our money back and continue to fund projects and recordings but that’s just how it is now. Most of the money now just comes from live shows, licensing, etc., so I think artists giving away their music might become even more common.
DeFY: Whats the music scene looking like in Ontario?
Andrea: Here in Ontario I find that there is a lot of rock and country and a lot of opportunities for those artists. At first I had trouble finding opportunities for my music here, but I feel like I’ve found my way around that now. I regularly go to Toronto to do shows, record, and things like that because I feel like my music really fits in there and it’s a great place for my genre.
DeFY: Who or what influences your music?
Andrea: My music is definitely influenced by the music I listen to. I listen to a lot of pop, house, R&B, dance, hip hop, and I feel like my songs are a mixture of all of those styles. I also like to collaborate because each person you work with has a different way of doing things and a different taste in sounds so you always come up with something really cool and different.
DeFY: Who would you like to work with?
Andrea: If I could work with anyone I’d love to work with either Beyonce, Jojo, or Rihanna. They all have such unique, amazing voices and I think it would be an awesome experience. A producer I’ve always wanted to work with is Toby Gad. He’s behind many of the pop hits you’ve heard on the radio and I love his style and production!
DeFY: Where was the video for “Need A Minute” Shot? What was the process like (finding someone to shoot a video, then coming up with the idea and then actually executing that idea)?
Andrea: Need A Minute was shot in a nightclub in Toronto and it was definitely a highlight in my career. People don’t realize how much work goes into shooting a music video and I was so lucky that I stumbled upon Rawfootage Productions. they were an awesome team to work with and I can’t wait to shoot another video with them! They helped me plan all the details of the video and everything that went into making it. The actual day of the shoot was so much fun, I would love to be able to do that more often!
DeFY: Since DeFY. is a sneaker heavy site I ask everyone that I interview, whats your favorite sneakers and why?
Andrea: I have to admit, I’m pretty girly and my closet is full of heels rather than sneakers! lol
DeFY: For those nosey ass people wondering, are you single?
Andrea: Yes I am haha!
DeFY: Has anyone in the industry reached out to you?
Andrea: I often get offers from a lot of different people and companies but you can’t say yes to everything. You also have to be careful because there are a lot of people who aren’t legit or aren’t who they say they are. I always make sure I’m cautious with things like that.
DeFY: Where can everyone go to follow your work?
Andrea: You can check out my newest music, videos, tour dates, and news at www.reverbnation.com/andreagodin
If you haven’t checked out her single “Need a minute” yet, then make sure and CHECK IT OUT HERE!