Callie Moore is more than a talented voice
In the ever changing world of the music business artists are seeking new avenues to express themselves, share their passions, and become even better self-promoters. In the age of YouTube talented musicians not only write and perform, but also produce and publish their own online content. While the artists may take on more responsibility the fans gain new insight and build very strong bonds with the creators. Callie Moore was kind enough to answer a few questions from Tri State Indie about herself and her experience online. Be sure to check out her channel for updates about upcoming albums and behind the scenes looks into her life in Singapore.
Q- If you could put Callie Moore in a box what would it say on the outside? If we opened that box what would be on the inside?
If a box of Callie was delivered to you it would be labeled “fragile”, but when you opened it you’d be surprised to find it empty with the corner torn out. I would have grown impatient and tired of being thrown around from truck to truck by delivery men. You wouldn’t need to worry about an insurance claim on the package because chances are; I’d be arriving at your door shortly, having found my own way there. People may easily mistake me for being quite fragile. I am very emotional and cry quite easily and sometimes over ridiculous things (just ask my husband, haha). My experiences have made life a very real, precious, and important thing to me. But the same experiences that have caused that softness have balanced me with a driving sense of purpose. I will not give up when I see a worthwhile pursuit. I will find a way eventually.
Q- What drives your passions to not only create but to follow up with social media outlets like Youtube?
The support of my awesome subscribers, viewers, and listeners is entirely what drives me. I started my Youtube channel very casually with somewhat small expectations. I had just released my first album (Zen Garden) and figured that Youtube might help a few extra people to find my music and purchase my album so that i could eventually break even on the expense of producing it. Thanks to my sister’s wonderful family (known as the Shaytards on Youtube) I immediately gained MUCH more exposure than I ever expected. The first day the Shaytards mentioned my music in one of their videos I was flooded with views and comments. I had so many people saying things like “You’re awesome, I subbed.” and I remember thinking “What does it mean to sub?” Haha. I was such a noob! I sat at the computer for most of 2 days hitting the refresh button to see how many subscribers I gained every 5 minutes. I couldn’t believe that people were watching my videos and enjoying my music. That knowledge created such an amazing high in me, a realization that I may actually be able to live my dreams.
Q- Some artists find it hard to put their work in public. Do you feel that it is multiplied by the fact that you and your husband also make videos?
A- I can’t even begin to express how much Dave does for me. He is the most supportive husband I could have ever dreamed of. We are absolutely one in this whole endeavor. I couldn’t do it without him. It is definitely easier to share my creations with the world knowing that he is proud of those creations.
I jokingly call Dave my “Board of Directors” because he is the main investor in my career. He has tirelessly fought his way to a successful career of his own and, in absolute selflessness he now sacrifices massive amounts of time and money to help me present myself professionally to the world. He is my self-taught sound engineer, videographer, and co-producer. I am amazed by his talents every day. Not many people could just take some of the best studio software and equipment and learn how to produce professional sounding music just by reading forums and watching internet videos. He also did the same thing with all of our camera equipment and videography. He has done all of this while maintaining an extremely demanding full-time career in the world of supercomputing technology. Can you tell he’s my hero? 
Q- What are your thoughts about the changing landscape of the music business? Do you feel that Youtube can change music in the way that the ITunes has?
I think we have only scratched the surface of the success that independent artists can find on Youtube. The whole music industry has changed, yet so many artists are still looking for a big break using all the traditional avenues. All of the people who are making legitimate and desirable careers out of Youtube are pioneers in this age of internet networking. It is all still so new. I have a lot of faith that the community of musicians on Youtube will grow, thrive, and find great success. For so long it was an almost unattainable dream for any independent musician to make any money from their art. They had to sacrifice time and cash they didn’t have for instruments just to play for free at bars and coffee shops where no one was listening. Youtube will change all of that for those who have the talent and the perseverance.
Q- How’s Singapore? Has the move from the United States changed your career path in any way?
A- Singapore is amazing. I still feel like I’m walking around in a dream some days. This move changed my career path in a huge way. For six years I’ve been waiting for the day I would be able to quit my conventional job to put all of my energy in to music. Dave was offered an opportunity to move here for work, and for the first time I haven’t needed a full time job to make ends meet. I no longer have that constantly tired “just trying to survive” type of feeling every day. I’m happier, my relationship with Dave is better than ever, my confidence has finally showed up, and there is inspiration everywhere. I never expected to be here and I’m not sure I deserve it.
Q- What’s next for you and Dave? Any exciting news you want to share?
A-My days are overflowing with exciting work right now. I have so many musical projects planned that it’s crazy! Dave and I are spending the vast majority of our free time recording new music. My second album will be released this year as well as a few other surprise projects . Music has been spewing out of my fingertips lately, and I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night with lyrics in my head. You can expect no shortage of new music from Dave and Callie Moore for the rest of 2011!
Feel free to watch other videos from Callie and Dave but to start you off I will share the first one I saw and got me hooked.
–Micah
