There’s always excitement when I release music into the world. I never know where it’s going to land or whose heart it’s going to touch. As an indie R&B artist, I’ve been blessed to watch my music travel all over the world, even to places I’ve never been. Songs have connected with people I’ve never met and built a following that spans continents. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and honestly, it still blows my mind.
The Surprise of International Success
I’ll never forget the first time I was notified that one of my tracks was charting overseas. I remember thinking “What? How in the world?” Overseas success was never a thought in those early days. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I was focused on making connections here in the US, but my debut project was receiving love from the UK. Then Japan. Then Germany. Then the Netherlands. Places I’d only dreamed of visiting.
What was very was how these international markets seemed to “get it” before some folks back home did. I’ve got incredible support here in the States, and I’m grateful for every single fan, but there’s something about the international music scene that feels more open to indie artists, more willing to give us a real shot out the gate. Maybe it’s because they’re not as caught up in the machine that sometimes dominates the US market. Whatever it is, I’m thankful for it.
The feeling of knowing that someone in Tokyo is vibing to your track on their morning commute, or that a couple in Rio chose your song for their first dance, that’s beyond anything I could have imagined when I first started making music. People have shared so many stories over the years. It’s humbling and exhilarating at the same time. I remember once that someone here in the US shared that the lyrics to a song I wrote entitled “Another Heart” caused her to pull over and just cry because it spoke to what she was dealing with at the time.
Breaking Down Barriers Through Social Media
Social media has been the game-changer in all of this. Before platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, building a global fanbase as an independent artist was much harder, and that’s why those early international connections really shocked me. Before these social platforms we had what I refer to as music “connectors”. These were people like Mike Ashley in the UK who somehow discovered your music and worked tirelessly to promote it in his country… on every show that would feature it, his own music platform and radio station, at live events etc. He did it for the love and appreciation of the art. There was a guy here in the US named Ish. He was based in New York and was affiliated with Bondy’s Music. He was another that had some international connections and really pushed music globally. Man, he was a solid hustler. A great guy on the indie music scene. It seems that there was a Mike Ashley or an Ish in every market; You just had to find them, or they had to find you. I’m sure that much of my international exposure in the early days was due to their efforts. Otherwise, you needed major label backing, international distribution deals (which I ultimately secured), and a whole lot of luck. Now? Now I can post a snippet of a new song at 2 AM, and by the time I wake up, it’s being shared by fans in six different time zones.
But it’s not just about the reach, it’s about the connection. I remember getting a DM from a fan in Brazil who told me that my song “Never Knew Love” helped her through a difficult breakup. She wrote the whole message in Portuguese, but she included a few lines in broken English that just hit me: “Your voice, it speaks to my heart. Music is magic, no?”
Music truly is the universal language. You don’t need to understand every word someone is singing to feel what they’re feeling. The emotion, the soul, the intention… it all comes through in ways that transcend language barriers. I keep Google Translate open on my phone. It helps. I love responding to comments in different languages sharing fan-made content, and even learning a few phrases in languages I’ve never studied just to show appreciation for my international supporters.
Stories That Move Me
Some of the most meaningful interactions come from fans who don’t speak much English but have somehow found their way to my music. I’ve received videos of people dancing and having a great time to my songs. Sometimes I can hear them attempting to sing the lyrics. That’s always a fun moment. You never forget those things because you realize that the music is bigger than you, the artist.
Although I would be a singer and songwriter for myself if I had no audience, there is magic in creating something that makes someone feel relatable in the world, regardless of where they are or what language they speak.
The Power of Real-Time Connection
One of the most engaging things about social media is the ability to interact in real time with fans around the world. I’ve done Instagram Live sessions, which I always vow to do more of, where fans in London who are on their lunch break join, and fans in Tokyo who are winding down their day jump on, or even those in New York who are just getting the day started chime in for a sec. Those are exciting things to ponder after the fact. You kind of sit back and think, wow I just connected some folks who possibly would’ve never met in this lifetime. Realizing that you’re creating a shared experience across time zones and continents… That’s powerful.
The Healing Power Knows No Borders
Music’s ability to heal and connect is truly universal. Whether you’re dealing with heartbreak in Houston or celebrating a promotion in Prague, the emotions are the same. The human experience is the same. And somehow, through my voice and my songs, I get to be a small part of people’s most important moments, no matter where they are in the world. It’s a special feeling knowing that I’ve been a part of the moments that bring people joy, healing, or even remembrances of their life’s journey.
Looking Forward with Gratitude
Every day, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am to be doing this in an era where technology makes these connections possible. The thought that someone in a place I’ve never been can discover my music, connect with it emotionally, and then reach out to tell me their story: that’s the kind of magic that fuels that flame.
I’m grateful for every listener, every share, every comment in a language I’m still learning to understand. Each interaction reminds me that music really is bigger than any of us individually. It’s a force that brings us together, helps us heal, and creates community in ways that wouldn’t have been possible just a generation ago.
As I continue to create and release new music, I’m excited to see how these connections will grow and evolve. The international support has taught me that authenticity resonates everywhere, that vulnerability creates connection regardless of distance, and that sometimes the most meaningful relationships can start with just a song and a heartfelt message.
The world is getting smaller every day, and music is leading the way. I couldn’t be more honored to be part of that journey, one song, one fan, one connection at a time.
