That Face that Launched 10 Million Clicks

On a recent episode of the Break It Down Show, Jon and I featured musician Nataly Dawn. Apart from currently working as a solo artist, Nataly is also in a band with her husband Jack Conte. Their band is called Pomplamoose and they are simply incredible. If you aren’t already familiar with Nataly and Jack’s work, STOP, and take a look at their videos here, here and here.

Posting 3 videos in no way captures how compelling and wonderful Nataly and Jack are…do take the time to explore, I promise you will love them.

A few years ago Jack wrote an illuminating blog that showed us what it means to be a “successful” indie band and go on a month long tour. Remember, Pomplamoose is not backed by a record label…what they make or lose is on them. In this case, despite a lot of fan support, they lost money…such is the state of music today.

Yet, Nataly makes a living as a successful musician. How does she do it?

Nataly has all the tools of a great singer/songwriter/performer. She’s beautiful, a wonderful singer, a multi-instrumentalist, creative, she is producible and collaborative. BUT, lots of “unsuccessful” musicians have these tools…so what is it?

She and Jack have an undeniable chemistry, they are a world class duo, who developed a crisp shorthand that cuts away all the excess that weighs down lesser groups. When I studied their music, the power of their intellect shows through, both are graduates of Stanford…they make clever decisions that make smiles happen.

This is where Nataly starts to separate from her peers. She and Jack have a sensibility that allows them to not only find the right songs…but also the catchy decisions that make people move, physically and emotionally. In a world full of things, Nataly has the knack for finding and showing us the ones that matter. Then there are the videos that are equally provocative.

Nataly thrives with the camera inches from her face and we love her for it. These videos take the clever catchy tunes…and layer in tons of emotion—which is the accelerant for culture.

Their collection of covers is as good as anyone else’s. All of these things are the parts that allow Nataly and Jack to build a music making machine that has the chance to break out. Nataly's future was ready…but what tipped it?  

Kevin Pollack recently said on his episode of Mohr Stories Jay Mohr’s podcast, when you imitate someone, you steal the influence they have over an audience. You actually gain the advantage of their charisma by imitating or covering their work. At the same time, it’s also possible to add in your own influence. It’s an incredible way to move people.

In this case, hard work, brilliant minds, love all combined and then, this happened. The moment Kanye created the controversy that drew attention to Beyonce’s Single Ladies video, he also pushed the audience headlong into the face, of Nataly Dawn.

Find more about Pete at www.peteaturner.com @peteaturner on twitter, www.breatkitdownshow.com www.poppingthebubbl.com