H.E.R – Artist Case Study

 

Biography: 

Gabriella Wilson, better known by her stage name H.E.R., is an American  R&B singer from California currently signed under RCA Records. She drew early inspirations in music from her father, who was a member of a local California band named Urban Bushmen and began a passion for music through guitar and vocals. Her first compilation album H.E.R. (2017), consisting of tracks from her first two EPs plus six additional songs, was nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning Best R&B Performance and Best R&B AlbumH.E.R. Was a Published Poet and Apollo Theater Singer at Age 10 | PEOPLE.com

Beginning:

 A big career breakthrough was made for H.E.R when she performed two songs at the ASCAP Awards and later that year was voted one among the three Radio Disney’s ‘Next Big Thing’. Sony Entertainment signed a contract with her when she was 14 years old. The song ‘Something to Prove’ was her first officially released song after which she took a break for 2 years. H.E.R was featured on Radio Disney, landed a record deal with RCA at 14 and received guidance from her idol, Alicia Keys.  At 17, she emerged on the BET Awards stage with a performance of her debut single, “Something to Prove,” where she worked her way up to the Isley Brothers.

Management:

H.E.R manages her shows and sale promotions mostly through her personal website, https://www.her-official.com/  were her tour promotions are found, as well as her main streaming sources that are available through Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, and  various Social Media sources. She also receives much of her concert resources through being featured in other artists shows and collaborations.

Longevity:

Since appearing in the ‘Today Show’, where she played piano for Alicia Keys, and also making an appearance with Alicia in the Grammy Awards at the age of 12., H.E.R.’s fame and recognition has improved allowing her to appear in collaborations amongst greater artists. With the likes of Daniel Caesar on the hit song Best Part, performing on the 2018 BET Awards, and landing a spot as an opening act on Chris Brown’s Heartbreak on a Full Moon Tour, H.E.R has gained much recognition and achievements throughout the industry and will definitely continue to evolve with the help of her supporters.

 

Repeatable:

To me I believe it was possible for this artist to kickstart and return to her career due to the support and chances that were brought upon her journey. Of course self dedication and ambition are the key components to continuing and starting a career in this industry, however once there is the guidance of idols, family, or anyone out there interested in your work, it becomes possible to achieve a spot in the field of this career for anyone, even for long-term matters, but cannot be done all on your own.

References:

 

 

The Internet – Roll (Burbank Funk)

I really like the layered background vocals in this song (around 1:30) and the funky bass paired with the off beat egg shakers makes this song very catchy. The main vocals are balanced out really well and with all the instrumental happening in the background, at first I thought the song was a little bit crowded but after listening to it a couple times I noticed how all the instrumental and percussion compliment each other really well.

Vocal Recording Techniques

 

My first resource is one more or the whole process of getting a good vocal recording from microphone choice to how your room should look. It’s a in-depth guide I strongly suggest if you have or don’t have experience. It’s valuable to understand that a good microphone doesn’t necessarily mean a good recording. Click here to be a vocal recording master! 

If you want a more compact lesson how to to prepare from someone with a lot of experience, this is how  Neal Cappellino gets ready for a vocal tracking session. The video is 22min long and I think it’s a good watch after the initial article above.

RE20 Microphone

RE20

 

Cost: $529

Type: Dynamic microphone

 

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Frequency Response: 45Hz – 18 000Hz

 

Frequency Response Curve:

 

Sensitivity: -56.5 dB

 

Common uses:

  • Best for vocals
  • But also good for kick drums, and guitar cabinets, bass cabinets, acoustic guitars, pianos, and brass/woodwind instruments.

Review and Testing:

 

AKG C214 Condenser Mic

C214 ( matched pair – can be developed together)

Cost: $400

Type: Condenser Mic

  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Range: 20 to 20 000 Hz

Frequency Response Curve:

 

Sensitivity:

  • Open circuit sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa (-34 dBV)
  • Noise: 13dBA

 

Common uses:

studio recordings ; vocals

OR

acoustic guitar and pianos.

 

Examples:

review and testing:

 

Follow by Bodywash

I like the chords of this song and how they are placed for maximum effect. I also like how the use of atmospheric sound is used to create tension.