Aspiring stars used to have to haul themselves from audition to audition for their chance at success. Now, fame-seeking musicians, actors and comedians don't need to go any farther than their home computer to get noticed. YouTube has emerged as a way for hopeful entertainers to reach—and impress––the masses with their talent. Both superstar Justin Bieber and rapper/producer Soulja Boy Tell 'Em can credit the Internet for helping launch their careers in music, and on this side of the pond, Lily Allen and Jessie J both used the Internet to garner worldwide attention, catapulting them into the music industry.
Now a new internet sensation, who’s covers of songs such as Adele’s “Someone Like You” and Rihanna’s “What’s my name” have reached six figure views within only a few months, has been rapidly moving into the virtual limelight.
Hobbie Stuart, from Brighton, UK, has made such an impact with his blend of soft acoustic guitar and RnB vocals that he’s stacked up over 14500 subscribers since joining Youtube last year. The process has been a fast and surreal one for the 20-year-old musician, and it’s only just the beginning.
“It feels pretty sick when I think about it,” Says Hobbie. “I’m proud of the work I’ve put into it. There’s still a way to go before I’m where I wanna be… but I’m content with how things are going.”
Besides his unique vocals, Hobbie’s Youtube video’s have a brilliant production value, which aided in helping the young performer stand out from the countless thousands of aspiring artists uploading covers daily. The excellent mastering, lighting and atmospheric filming style gave a level of consistency which instantly set him apart from other amateur Youtube uploads. This production was the work of friend and producer Alex Wells, of the currently unsigned band Twin Brother.
“I’d be nowhere near where I am without Alex,” Hobbie explains. “He’s contributed massively. Not only is he the best musician I know but he’s also a very good friend... when we’re working together it doesn’t feel like work at all, it’s always a bubble.”
Hobbie’s cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You” had brief airtime on Greg James’ Radio 1 show recently, which came as a shock to the oblivious artist, who’s fan base revelled in hearing their favourite amateur artist gaining commercial airtime. “I was just chillin in the park and all of a sudden my phone just went on a mad one. Texts, Facebook, Twitter etc. Very pleasant surprise. I was buzzing at the time.”
This last month saw Hobbie take centre stage in his hometown Brighton. With a fan base already reaching across the UK, it was his first chance at coming face to face with the people that have launched him from unknown artist to Internet sensation.
“It was a class night,” Says Hobbie, who managed to fill the 900 person capacity of Coalition nightclub within weeks of advertising the gig. “I didn’t realize how much I loved performing until that show. I can’t wait until the next one.”
In what was undoubtedly a very smart move from Skint Records, whose roster has included Fatboy Slim and Hardknox, Hobbie has been taken under management of the label, and is in the process of writing up his debut album, planned to be released in 2012. Listing his artistic influences as Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and John Mayer, Hobbie states that his album will “reflect those influences for sure. It’ll be RnB but more organic and British sounding.”
There is no doubt that this is the beginning of an exciting journey for the young artist, within only a few months Hobbie has shifted into the limelight, and is planning a business trip to LA next week for work on his album. “The next few months will be very busy indeed. I’ll be writing the album… Gigs... Promotion... Improving musically... I’m working all the time to get to where I wanna be, and I’m loving every minute of it.”
Catch Hobbie’s covers at www.youtube.com/hobbiestuartmusic
And join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hobbiestuartmusic
Photo's courtesy of Luke Wright
www.anotherfreshidea.blogspot.com
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