stayc main image

‘Lollapalooza 2025's Lineup Is a Cultural Time Capsule, And We're Here For It’

August 1, 2025

The dust has settled on Lollapalooza’s lineup announcement, and the message is clear: the 34-year-old festival isn’t resting on its laurels. With a single Instagram post, organizers simultaneously...

Read more
stayc main image

Jess Glynne Slams White House Over Deportation Meme Using Her Song

July 31, 2025

When the White House repurposed a popular Jet2 Holidays meme video featuring Jess Glynne's hit "Hold My Hand" to highlight ICE deportations, the backlash was immediate and loud. “This post honestly...

Read more
stayc main image

Linkin Park: The AMV Band Is Alive and Well Despite Everything

July 31, 2025

The silence that followed my mother’s words felt like the weight of the world pressing in on me. I was 17, but in that moment, I felt small, like that eight-year-old kid again, curled up in my...

Read more
stayc main image

Will ‘Golden’ From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Be Able to Overtake ‘Ordinary’ on the Billboard Hot 100?

July 31, 2025

The competition for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 is heating up as the K-pop phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters (KPDH) sees its soundtrack dominate the charts. One song in particular...

Read more
stayc main image

Doja Cat Takes a Jab at Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad as Backlash Grows

July 31, 2025

Doja Cat is stirring the pot.. and social media is here for it.‍The rapper took to TikTok on Tuesday (July 29) to parody Sydney Sweeney’s recent American Eagle commercial, which has come under fire...

Read more
stayc main image

From Scarborough to Stardom: The Weeknd Receives Toronto's Highest Honor Ahead of Homecoming Concerts

July 31, 2025

The Weeknd’s meteoric rise from Toronto’s underground music scene to global superstardom came full circle this weekend as Mayor Olivia Chow presented the Grammy-winning artist with the Key to the...

Read more
stayc main image

Chappell Roan’s ‘The Subway’ Arrives This Week After Teasing Fans for Over a Year

July 31, 2025

After months of anticipation, Chappell Roan has confirmed that her long-awaited single, "The Subway," will officially arrive this Wednesday, July 31, at 8 PM EST. The announcement came via her...

Read more
stayc main image

Black Sabbath Bassist Recalls Final Gig and 57-Year Friendship with Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Wasn’t Prepared to See How Frail He Was’

July 31, 2025

As the world mourns the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath’s legendary bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler has shared a heartfelt essay about his friendship with the iconic rocker. Butler, who...

Read more
stayc main image

What If Taylor Swift Left Spotify, Again?

July 30, 2025

Taylor Swift deleted her entire repertoire off Spotify in 2014, arguing that the site did not pay musicians fairly. Despite initial criticism as a publicity trick, the action drew international...

Read more
stayc main image

“Back to Friends” by Sombr Is the Gen Z Anthem of Summer

July 30, 2025

Introducing Sombr, an indie-pop musician whose hit song "Back to Friends" is encapsulating the spirit of Generation Z and beyond. The song was first released on December 27, 2024, however it has...

Read more
stayc main image

Billie Marten: “Mostly, artists are in financial ruin – we’re all paying Taylor Swift”

July 30, 2025

Billie Marten, the British singer-songwriter known for her hauntingly beautiful folk-inspired music, has recently shared her thoughts on the financial struggles many artists face in today’s music...

Read more
stayc main image

K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack dominates UK charts as Ozzy Osbourne tributes surge

July 30, 2025

In a surprising twist, the Demon Hunter K-pop soundtrack has claimed the top spot on the UK charts, reflecting the growing influence of the genre beyond its South Korean origins. Meanwhile, the...

Read more

Finding Your Unique Voice in Music: Lessons from the Greats

stayc main image

Every great musician has a distinct voice that defines their sound. Think of Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, or Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Imagine Green Day without Billie Joe's snarl or Guns N' Roses without Axl's gritty wail. It’s hard, right? That's because their voices aren't just an instrument—they’re a signature that makes their music instantly recognizable.

But how did these artists find the melodies, phrases, and styles that perfectly matched their voices? Was it a process of trial and error, or did they have a clear idea of their sound from the start?

1. Embracing Your Unique Timbre

One of the most important things to understand is that every voice has its unique timbre—a tonal quality or color that makes it special. People have compared your voice to that of Frank Sinatra, suggesting a richness suited to crooner or jazz styles. But you’re also curious about exploring genres like rock, punk, or grunge. This curiosity is crucial; it shows that you’re open to experimentation, which is a big part of finding what suits your voice best.

Example: Billie Joe Armstrong didn't have the traditional punk rock voice when he started. His vocal timbre was closer to pop-punk—a bit nasally, yet melodic. Over time, he leaned into this uniqueness, embracing his range and using it to craft melodies that were simple but instantly catchy. By understanding his voice’s limits and strengths, he was able to create a style that felt authentic and recognizable.

2. Experimentation and Evolution

Most iconic musicians didn’t find their sound overnight. They experimented, played with different genres, and sometimes even failed. Axl Rose, for instance, started with a choir background before finding his raw, high-pitched voice that defined Guns N' Roses. His range is notoriously wide, but he honed his craft by experimenting with different vocal techniques and pushing his limits, finding what worked and what didn’t.

If you have a voice that people associate with jazz, don’t feel restricted by it. Many greats have pushed the boundaries of their expected genres. Think of Kurt Cobain, whose voice wasn’t considered “technically” good by classical standards, yet he became an icon in grunge. His uniqueness lay in his raw, unpolished delivery, which resonated with people precisely because it was genuine and different.

3. Finding Melodies That Fit Your Range

Your vocal range being similar to Billie Joe Armstrong’s gives you an advantage. Knowing your limitations helps you find melodies that fit within your range while still allowing you to express yourself fully. Armstrong’s range isn’t extremely high, but he plays with his voice’s character, often keeping his melodies simple yet impactful.

When writing melodies, consider:

  • Comfort Zones: Start with melodies in a comfortable range and then experiment with slight variations.
  • Emotional Expression: How does a certain note or phrase make you feel? Does it convey the emotion you want to express?
  • Genre Blending: Mix elements of crooner-style phrasing into rock or punk melodies to create a unique fusion that suits your voice.

4. The Art of “Finding Out” Through Doing

Ultimately, much of the magic happens when you “fuck around and find out.” Experimentation and iteration are key. Musicians like Axl Rose and Dave Mustaine spent years developing their sound by writing, rewriting, and experimenting. They weren't afraid to try different styles, push their voices, and even fail in the process.

Dave Mustaine, for example, had to figure out how to sing while playing intricate guitar riffs, which led him to develop a vocal style that was rhythmic and direct, perfectly complementing his thrash metal sound.

5. Combine Your Influences and Make It Your Own

The secret sauce is often a blend of influences combined with your unique voice. Many artists draw inspiration from multiple genres. If you want to sing jazz, rock, punk, and grunge, start by listening to and studying the phrasing, melodies, and rhythms of these genres. Then, try incorporating elements into your practice. For example, you could use jazz-style scatting techniques to create unexpected vocal phrases in a rock or punk context.

Conclusion: Finding Your Sound

Finding your voice is an ongoing journey that requires a mix of understanding your unique timbre, embracing experimentation, and blending genres and influences. Remember that even the most iconic musicians didn't have it all figured out at the start. They learned by doing, by pushing boundaries, and by understanding their voice’s unique qualities. So, explore, experiment, and, most importantly, stay true to your sound.

Finding Your Unique Voice in Music: Lessons from the Greatsfinding-your-unique-voice-in-music-lessons-from-the-greatsJeremiah SalepSep 09, 2024Every great musician has a distinct voice that defines their sound. Think of Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, or Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Imagine Green Day...