Music Scene

Ciera Clingerman

November 8, 2020

Local musicians, remember this — every step matters. It might not seem like it when you don’t have the number of Instagram followers, Facebook Live viewers, or YouTube subscribers you wish you had. But the fact that you are actually doing something is one step closer to building an audience.

Bella is all about being better, but we are not blind to the fact that bettering ourselves can be challenging. There are many times in life that we feel we are not doing enough, that we’re not good enough. The truth is, we probably could be doing more, and there will always be someone more talented. However, the beauty of being an artist is that there is no ceiling to your own imagination and there are many paths to explore.

As a musician, I will be the first to admit that I could be writing more music, sharing more music videos, and contacting more music venues where I could perform. I don’t want to delve into the inconsistency of my music pages on Instagram and Facebook, but I will share my inconsistencies because the first step to bettering ourselves is admitting the areas where we can improve. Let’s just say the last post I shared was in September and it’s now October. I have yet to share a single post about my music. There are more excuses than I can count to explain why I let this happen — working, socializing, working some more, socializing some more. Not good enough excuses, that’s for sure. The reality is if we don’t commit and dedicate our lives to our passion, it will slip between our fingers. Think of it this way — if you have a passion that intersects with a talent, there is a purpose. There are more people who dream of being where they want to be that there are people who are willing to take risks to make their dreams come true. If I were to pick a side, I’d rather take the risk.

So, where do you start? There’s not a blanket answer for this question. Each person has a different background and a different risk level when it comes to pursuing music goals. Just speaking realistically and from experience, starting off in the music industry does not make you any sort of a breadwinner. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication to grow a loyal audience, write new music, and build enough confidence to share your music journey with your followers on a continuous basis. If you’re a new and aspiring musician, accept the fact that you have a challenging road ahead. But embrace the fact that you are courageous enough to put your art in front of many viewers who have the option to celebrate with you or criticize your every move.

If you will, allow Bella to celebrate with you. We are about to begin an exciting journey in our music series of learning together how to thrive as a local musician and build your artistic flare. Our team is constantly finding ways to learn and grow because we believe if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Stay tuned for more tips and stories from musicians who have been on the same page as you!

Ciera Clingerman

College of Charleston alumna Ciera Clingerman joins Team Bella as a photographer and coordinator for music events. She specializes in event planning and has a heart for music and community engagement. Her passions are bringing people together through the arts, supporting her local church, and traveling to new places.

Ciera Clingerman

In the know

What It’s Like …On The Road Singin’ For Her Supper: Solo Singer/Songwriter Josephine Johnson

As the live music landscape continues to shift, it’s nice to know these places in Aiken are doing great things to keep music alive and keep patrons safely entertained. Solo Singer/Songwriter Josephine Johnson Did you always know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I did. As a toddler I sang Jackie Wilson songs into my mom’s wooden mixing spoons. A couple years later I sang along with Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All” until the cassette tape snapped. In high school I did musicals and played guitar. My whole life I’ve always known I am a musician. I didn’t know, however, the twists and turns it would

Beer, Bella: The Adventure Begins

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Sights and smells and tastes can literally snap you back to a point in time — memory instant replay, no matter how much you might have suppressed it or thought it had faded away. Sometimes it is faint, like the aroma of peaches as you walk through a peach orchard that remind you of the smell of peach cobbler coming from your grandmother’s oven. Or the flavor of strawberry in a clear beverage unexpectedly reminding you of how delightful strawberry jello was in your childhood. One of the most classic examples, and a perfect visual to the experience, is in the Disney movie Ratatouille, when

NOLA Cocktails | Lux Libations

It’s difficult to think about the month of February without summoning romantic memories or without perhaps considering the awkwardly introspective question, “Are we serious enough to go out on a date for Valentine’s Day?” Thankfully, I’ve been happily paired up for over a decade and am past the over-the-top Valentine’s Days and early relationship oddities. Not that we aren’t romantic — we just choose to wait until Valentine’s to show it. Or at least that is what we tell ourselves. Regardless, the holiday I tend to think of when February rolls around is Mardi Gras! Yes, I know sometimes it arrives in March, but not this year. This year it

Jalapeño and Ham Grits

From the Kitchen of… Fuse Aiken: Jalapeño and Ham Grits An Interview and recipe with Chris Najmola Ingredients 1 cup stone-ground yellow grits, Anson Mills preferred 1 cup heavy whipping cream 3 cups water (pro move: use chicken stock instead) 1 jalapeño 3 oz Benton’s Country Ham, sliced thin 1 tbsp salt black pepper to taste Tools: 2 gallon stock pot wooden spoon whisk tasting spoons Gather all your ingredients and tools before you begin. Hold the jalapeño at the stem. Cut the bottom half of the jalapeño off for mild flavor. Cut higher up and closer to the stem for increasing heat. Slice the desired area of jalapeño as