- Tue, 2009-11-10 14:59
The dream of every young pop star is currently being lived out by the lovely Esmee Denters. Two years ago she was working as a pancake house waitress and posting videos of herself singing cover versions of her favourite artists on YouTube. 21 million views later and countless record label telephone calls, Esmee caught the attention of Justin Timberlake, who eventually signed her to his new record label Tenman Records.
Having written with Justin, toured with Ne-Yo and Enrique Iglesias, written her own music video script and sung to thousands of screaming fans, life has changed dramatically for Esmee Denters. I Like Music caught up with her to chat about her journey, her advice to other singers, what she learnt from Justin and her plans for the future.
"I Like Music because… it’s my life.” Esmee Denters
ILM: How did this whole journey begin for you?
Esmee: It’s been crazy! I always wanted to sing, that was always, always my dream. One day I went on to the internet, I found out about YouTube and just thought the fact that you could post your own videos was amazing! I just decided to put up a couple of cover songs by my favourite artists. I had no idea how many people were going to see it! In my first video my hair’s all messed up! A week later I’d had so many views that a record company contacted me! So I went over to New York and met with a bunch of labels. They were all contacting me by email and ringing my home, it was just this incredible journey! Justin Timberlake set up his own label, heard about this girl people were talking about on youtube and then he decided that he wanted to meet me in Chicago. It was really crazy!
ILM: What’s your advice to any singers in the position you were in before this huge whirlwind?
Esmee: My advice would be to try different things. YouTube was my way to eventually get signed. There are other ways, like auditions, try them all. Even if people tell you no, you have to keep going. Keep that passion.
ILM: What was it like working with Justin Timberlake?
Esmee: It’s been really incredible! I always wanted to write songs myself. I’ve always been writing but I never had the opportunity to work with amazing producers. Justin really hooked me up with some incredible people to work with, then, eventually I got to work with him in the studio and write some songs with him! Just to work with such an icon was an amazing experience.
ILM: What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt from Justin?
Esmee: Justin is so normal and so grounded and funny. He’s a superstar but he doesn’t have an ego at all. He’s a nice guy and he has people around him that he loves. You know, you can have all the money and all the fame, but if you don’t have people around you that support what you do and mean something to you, then it doesn’t mean anything. That’s what I’ve taken away from him.
ILM: You’ve made two music videos so far, what have those experiences been like?
Esmee: It’s been amazing! I watched videos on YouTube like everyone else and then to suddenly be able to make my own video....! There were a hundred people on set making sure everything looked incredible. So many people worked so hard. It was incredible to be able to record a music video and see the end result. Especially with Admit It, I actually wrote the script for that one. I just hadn’t been happy. You get all these scripts sent to you that tell you how the video might look, and I was like “Ok. I don’t like any of these. I’ll try and write one myself.” Luckily the label liked it!
ILM: You have so many tour dates coming up. How have the shows been?
Esmee: It’s been incredible you know? The first artists I’ve toured with are Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo and Enrique Iglesias! To be able to share a stage with some of the big names has been amazing! It’s such a great vibe!
ILM: You always look fantastic! With such a hectic schedule how do you stay healthy?
Esmee: There’s always after parties after the show. The band sometimes go out, but I have to sing the next day, so I try and get as much rest as I can. I drink a lot of water and I eat very healthily! The sensible things to do! It’s a really busy schedule and you really have to make sure you get some sleep, otherwise the next day you won’t be able to sing!
ILM: What’s your earliest musical memory? When did you first fall in love with music?
Esmee: It all started because my dad is such a music freak! He had so many different records lying around. He would make my sister and I listen to so many different types of music! Anything thing from The Beatles to Stevie Wonder, Nirvana to classical music. Me and my sister have always loved singing and performing. I remember being a big fan of The Spice Girls and wanting to be like them! I love girl groups and powerful female singers. I really want to be like that one day!
ILM: What music have you been listening to recently?
Esmee: I listen to Beyonce a lot! I think she is one of the most amazing female vocalists out there! I love Snow Patrol too. A little bit of everything actually!
ILM: Out of all the live shows you have seen, which have been some of the most memorable?
Esmee: I saw Alicia Keys when she had just started out! She came and did this little concert near my house and I was immediately in love with her! It’s not always about just dancing and singing really well. I love her personality on stage too, I think that’s really important. I got to see the Black Eyed Peas perform. I think they’re so incredible, their energy is so great! I love strong performers, they’re so inspiring to me.
ILM: What are your future plans?
Esmee: Ultimately it would be great if my second single does as well as Outta Here. I didn’t expect Outta Here to do so well! I knew it was a great song, but I was just so happy that the UK loved it as well. I can’t wait to bring out more music in the UK! I’ll be doing more touring too! In the future I’d love to do my own show. I’ve seen all these big artists with their own, huge shows. It would be great to have that one day, where everyone is coming out to see me singing my songs!
