Today on Guitaa’s artist centerstage, we’ve got a very energetic performer whose love for music can be felt through her songs. Hailing from Camrose, Alberta, we have the lead vocalist of “Across The Board” band, “Jackie Auguste”.
Jackie is the lead singer and co-writer of “Across The Board” band. She is also the co-creator of the YouTube web series “Pick Up & Play”. So, Let’s check out this amazing Q&A with Jackie and get to know about how her journey into music began, about her latest EP and many more.
- Introduce yourself to our audience, what genre of music do you consider your work to be?
Hi, I am Jackie Auguste, lead singer/songwriter of the Canadian rock band, Across The Board (ATB).
- What and who were your early passions and influences, What inspires you to make music?
ATB started from a series of garage and campfire jams and morphed into a Youtube cover band before hitting our stride in 2016 with a roots-rock sound on our debut album “Jane On Fire”– 4 more albums later and several cool awards including some chart-topping mentions with “Sonic Boom” and our newest release “Wild Ones” — we find our influences haven’t changed much–Metric, Evanescence, Broken Social Scene, Fleetwood Mac and rockers like Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks continue to shape our sound.
- Tell us about that one memorable performance and favorite venue which you still wish to happen again?
We recently released our new album, “Wild Ones” to a full house at Toronto’s iconic OPERA HOUSE and it was such a fun show — full 9 piece band and a lyrical dancer hit the stage that night and rocked out!
- Any funny Story of a fuck up during your performance where you handled that situation like nothing happened?
OMG–I am notorious for either falling on my ass or dropping my guitar. I should say “guitars” – I stepped through my new Taylor 214 ce at The Hideout in Toronto this spring–good grief! That’s not the worst! I fell on my ass at The Bovine in Toronto last winter and couldn’t get up! Our guitar player Ben Healey had to pick me up!!!
- If you could collaborate with any musicians(dead/alive), who would you collaborate with and why?
Stevie Nicks– I can imagine sitting down at a piano with a glass of champagne and talking about trauma and writing a hit ballad!
- What has been your biggest challenge as a Musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Stage fright. I have no end of “first five-minute anxiety” —- but I breathe through it and close my eyes and then it’s all just fun and rocking out after that!
- What Tools and techniques you use to improve your singing/instrumental playing?
Practice, practice, practice–vocal coach, YOUTUBE videos–always singing and playing covers to expand my techniques and skills. Never stop playing.
- What type of Gadgets and instruments do you use while practicing? And, Do you have any specific name of your instrument?
I use my new Taylor 214 CE or my Strat to practice guitar, and I sing at the top of my vocal range and bottom of the vocal range in the car! (Cause I don’t want my kids yelling at me from their rooms–SHUT UP MOM!)
- Would you like to share a testimonial for Guitaa? If Yes, Why do you love Guitaa?
I have been using Guitaa to find chords for songs I want to cover. Although I could do it on my own, it sometimes takes too long or certain chords escape me, Guitaa makes that easy. Also you can find new music that you might not have come across before. It’s also a very pretty site….I love cruising around. If you want tutorials, you can sign up for a membership and make you playing that much more proficient–great for beginners and pros alike.
- What advice would you have for someone wanting to become an Artist?
Emulate the bands that you find are successful–go back in time on their socials and see what they did to get where they are now. With the internet, all the history is right there at your fingertips. You don’t have to reinvent every part of the wheel–just make the wheel your own! Bring your A game. If you want to do this on a stage and record–you have to make sure you put everything you have into it. Do not half-ass it. And don’t forget the power of social media to bring your music to the world!
So, this was Jackie Auguste. Want to know how you can follow her on social media? Then, click on the links below:
Facebook :
Instagram :
YouTube :
