Joni Sheila

I always played with the idea to do a Disney cover song series.

So here is the kickoff. :)

About a month ago I watched the movie "Encanto" and I really liked this song Surface Pressure. I could totally relate to the character Louisa who is the oldest sister.She's the oldest of three just like me. Growing up I always had to be the responsible one, I had to be a good example to my younger siblings. 

There was also this extreme pressure to do well in school. That didn't go very well but I'll tell you about that another time. :pI just had to make an acoustic version of this song. 

What do you think? 

It's finally here!

Have a listen on all major platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mdkandpvgbeats/conspiracy-theory-feat-joni-sheila

It's very different from what you're used to but I really enjoyed doing this one. This is also my first official collaboration. :D Massive shoutout to MDK, PVGbeats and Fuss Agency. Go check them out!

I would love to know what you think. Let me know in the comments!

I am super happy to announce that after a worldwide casting call I am one of the lucky few who has been selected by Electro-Voice to do a live stream.

My show is on Thursday, May 28th at 8PM CEST! You can find more info on https://www.facebook.com/events/1088245354887287/

Make sure to check out the other artists!

With all my shows cancelled and street performances prohibited due to this pandemic, I was in need of a win. I finally got one. :)

I wrote a lockdown song. Actually made an adaptation of my original song “Burn Like The Sun”. 

Let me know what you think. 

Keep your hands clean!

There was one time where someone wanted to have a chat while I was busking (I thought he wanted to book me for a concert). But he just wanted to have a drink and talk. I was not interested and I also had to be somewhere. He talked to me as I was walking back and when he said goodbye he was leaning in for a kiss...  

In no way have I sent out signals that I wanted that. I aggressively pushed him away. "When will I see you again?" he said. This guy was more than twice my age.

I have had plenty experiences like this one. And I kid you not, this happens to ALL female street performers out there. Creeps must be the main reason why less than 10 percent of all buskers are women.

I chose to become a musician, I chose to make a living out of music (be it on stage, on the streets or at home). And in the very beginning I had to learn, make mistakes and learn again. And I'd say the street is the best school there is.

I have learned how to reach people just by singing, smiling and eye contact. Human connection at its purest. And sometimes, no actually a lot of times it attracts the wrong kind of people.

I can imagine to many passersby I look young and naive. A sweet little girl. I was young and naive 10 years ago, OK? I was born 17 November 1989, do the math. :) I am kind to everyone who approaches me when I am out busking. It's part of the job and I like to think that I'm genuinely kind. The problem here is that a lot of (older male) individuals mistake my kindness for naivety.

Just because someone is smiling and talking to you does not mean he or she is flirting.

I mean, it's kind of creepy if you're a man who could be my father and you're inviting me over for dinner and/or drinks... Or you want to "collaborate" and you're inviting me over to your fully equipped studio but you don't have any music out. The same goes for "flirty" messages and comments containing an excessive amount of kissing emoji's and hearts.

My social media channels are tools for me to share my music and connect with people. I will answer questions that are related to my music and other projects but I will simply not reply to a personal message that only says "How are you?" or "Will you have a drink with me?".

Don't mistake my kindness for naivety.

I hate being patronized. I'm not a kid. I'm an adult and I would like to be treated that way.

With respect.

It’s been one month since the release of my crowdfunded EP “Acoustic Sessions II”. So it’s time for something new: My very first official music video!

Go check it out on https://youtu.be/Cp9UN93i9sQ. Please watch it till the end, like it and leave a comment. Feel free to share it too! :)

This was part of my crowdfunding campaign. With the help of fans, family and friends I was able to collect 2.500 EUR to fund my new EP. I had also set a stretch goal of 3.000 EUR. If we could reach it I would also make a music video. :)

Big thanks to @jona.him for working with me on this one. Go check him out! He makes great pictures too! 

Hello friends,

The festival in my home town has come to an end. For 10 days the City of Ghent was the place to be for music, food, beer and busking.

I'm glad I had no expectations otherwise I would have been disappointed. All in all I had a good time. Busking at Gentse Feesten hasn't been profitable for me in years. So I just do it for fun and exposure. The tips I get are a bonus. And it's a lot of fun to perform together with Shiki Violinist. Yes, we reunited after meeting each other in the streets of Melbourne over a year ago. :)

On the second last day of Gentse Feesten (last Saturday). Shiki and I were doing our thing again. We were interrupted by undercover cops who apparently only check street performers.

Only for the festival amps are allowed, but only one per permit. And only for the festival you are not allowed to sell items or give away stuff for free. So we haven't been playing by the rules.

One male and one female cop. They asked if we speak Dutch. I should have said no because Shiki couldn't understand a thing and we probably would have gotten off easy if I pretended to be a foreigner. The male cop was friendly, the female seemed like a bitch. Oh wait, she was a TOTAL BITCH.

Yes, we were wrong by having two amps and having CD's on display (even though we weren't actively selling them or showing a price tag). The amps we have are no match for the bigger acts out there with percussion, brass bands and BIG-ASS amplifiers. I told the cops this.

But the she-cop immediately stopped me by saying "I don't like it when I'm being interrupted. I am a police officer, I can confiscate your gear and arrest you." She went on. "You can't play with more than one amp, you can't sell CD's. Promotion is not allowed. Actually, your business cards aren't allowed either. Oh and your name in your guitar case is forbidden too."

From here on she was just making shit up. This female cop abuses her power, makes up a BULLSHIT rule and threatens to take my stuff. She was clearly trying to get a reaction out of me. I could feel the resentment.

And I wonder. Why are female cops always so BITCHY towards me? I have never met a FRIENDLY woman cop. The guy cop didn't really say much. I am certain if I was guy or if it was two male cops stopping us, it would have been different. When they left, I cried. The guy had ginger hair. The woman was blonde and short (and has a horrible personality I'm guessing). If anyone knows her please give me her name I would LOVE to file a complaint against her.

Why are women giving each other such a hard time? To my ladies, please be nice to each other.

Also can the police just confiscate a buskers gear (if busking is his/her only source of income?

Anyways, the last day we teamed up with a drummer who made a drum kit out of a washing machine. And it went GREAT. Footage will follow. :) The Gentse Feesten have completely drained me though.

That bitch cop has been haunting my mind and with everything that happened in the month before... I can't take it anymore.

I NEED some time off. But don't worry I will still post a new song every month and work on that upcoming EP. :)

Feel free to share your thoughts.

Joni

PS: Shiki and I rock this Imagine Dragons song :)

Hey hey!

It wouldn't be a normal busking life without the usual harassment! This time the police got involved and helped out. I posted a vlog on https://www.patreon.com/posts/16402198

My last busk of of the year didn't exactly go as planned. But I guess that is the universe's way of telling me that it can only get better... :)