What's involved in making an EP album? ~ Shout-outs to the beautiful people who made my dream co

My first experience involved: Vision/Creativity, Determination/Belief, $$$, Positive Attitude, Connections (no pun intended haha)

February 24, 2017 is a date to commemorate because it was when I held in my own two hands a physical copy of my first EP album. I screamed in elation when I opened the box, scaring both of the rents to death! After months of preparation and hard work, it was finally here and never had I been more proud of myself for accomplishing something like this.

Was it easy? Yes and no. Was it scary? YES! Did I want to give up? Yes.

If you’ve read my first blog, “How did an Asian Girl fall in love with R&B/Neo soul/ hip hop?" you know by now that I’m a little “odd” because it is very uncommon for an ASIAN GIRL to love R&B/neo-soul/hip hop music. For an ASIAN GIRL to write that kind of music is almost unheard of. I don’t follow Asian music because I don’t dig their musical style and it is rare to find those genres period. My vision was not to become a wannabe or poser (although I am well prepared that I may generate haters as I get more public exposure but that's expected) but to genuinely write about life and intertwine messages into melodies that tickles our insides to feel something. It's not about making a statement/movement of any sort but to connect with people and know that others are going through what I'm going through, and that we are not alone. Therapeutic really.

First step is having the vision - what did I want to accomplish through this project? What message did I want to convey to my audience? Then creativity steps in when I sit for hours at my piano writing my songs! So you have your songs, now what?

Studio time! This step took me the longest to get on board because I was SCARED. I've never been in a recording studio before and I didn't know what it all entailed. I had lots of material and wanted to record but couldn't build up the courage. But one day I decided to contact 2 studios and came across Justin (Dunna) McDonough, Studio manager/Head Engineer/Artist at Resonate Music School & Studio. Justin, who is an artist himself, understood exactly the type of sound that I was going for. I am a very bad communicator which makes it that much more difficult and frustrating at times to express exactly what I envision or hear in my head. Thank goodness for technology, I do an amateur pre-recorded version of the songs and then say, here Justin now go and make this sound amazing. And that is exactly what Justin did for me. After a few months of recording, and learning about the whole process that goes into making a professionally recorded album, Justin and I completed my first EP. So now you have your master copy, what's next?

Photo shoot! Research was also key to this process because there are so many talented photographers in the city alone. I narrowed it down to my top 3 choices after viewing each photographers' profile, portfolios and of course their general pricing guideline. In the end and through Justin, I chose Aspen Zettel Photography, an independent local photographer whom I connected immediately with right from the start! After a few emails to establish the type of mood and style that I was going for, December 21, 2016 was set for my photoshoot! This was also the day that I was made to feel like a super star. Full on hair and make-up to start the day by the amazing Emily Phung with Blushed Beaute, and then on to the in-studio photography session. The three of us put our heads together to coordinate my own outfits and jewelry (earrings/necklace) made by my very good friend Michelle Choy from @creative.daydreamers for styling for 4 different looks. I've got to admit, it was initially a bit awkward for me because I had no idea what to do or how to pose. But this is why I was so lucky to have met Aspen and Emily because they made it soo easy and natural for me. I used the photos to contour my official Natalia Chai facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/natalia8chai/) and my website (https://nataliachai.wixsite.com/nataliachaimusic) In the end, the photos looked BAD-ASS! Now I've got bad-ass photos - what do I do with them?

Then I had to come up with an album concept. I had to view my songs as a whole, not individually anymore, think about the messages I intend to convey in each song and in this album. This was

where a previous creative acquaintance named my EP album, "Connections".

Album art design! I mean, I could attempt to use photoshop or powerpoint to do this step but it would just an outright disaster. Through Aspen, she connected me with her friend, Mike Pelletier from Zeppelin Creative who made the whole process so seamless. I have to give credit to Aspen for the album cover design - not only did she take the amazing photos but she also had the amazing idea of superimposing the images to create the overlapping effect. Then Mike worked his magic and created an image that I absolutely loved! Ok I got my professionally recorded songs, professional photos, album design..so now what?

Choosing a company that would manufacture physical copies of my master CD and album. Another important connection directed me to connect with Nick Austin at IndiePool. Nick was also absolutely amazing to work with and just like that, I had 50 physical beautiful copies made and assistance to help me sell digital copies on iTunes.

And the last step, is my "Connections" EP Launch Partaaayyyy! It's all going down March 24 at Naked Cyber Cafe, where I will performing live up close and personal my 4 songs on my Connections EP and perhaps debut a couple sneak peaks to new songs that I've been writing.

All this was made possible because of the "connections" and new friends that I made. Yes, it was quite pricey but thanks to my day job as a pharmacy manager that I work my butt for allow me to proudly invest in my dream! It took a long time, too long it seemed at one point when I felt like this project was no longer attainable but through determination I told myself that I had to go all in, or I will be asking myself what if!

Special SHOUT OUTS to:

1) Justin McDonough - Resonate Music School & Studio

2) Aspen Zettel - Aspen Zettel Photography

3) Emily Phung - Hair/Make Up from Blushed Beaute

4) Michelle Choi - Jewelry (Earrings/necklace) creative.daydreamers

5) Mike Pelletier - Zeppelin Creative

6) Nick Austin - Indie Pool

7) David & Bob - Naked Cyber Cafe

Will definitely be working with you all again in the very near future!:)