I wrote a few months ago about how to discover new contemporary musical theater repertoire and writers. As this busy audition season continues, I thought I would delve into some ideas for finding new pop/rock material. Even more than in musical theater, the sheer amount of pop music out there can be daunting, and it can be hard for an actor to know where to start in finding music in this genre that will work in auditions. Below, I’ve highlighted five artists that you should check out in your search for pop/rock rep. I’m steering clear of the most familiar choices (“Oh my God, have you guys heard of this singer called Beyoncé?”) for some options that you may not have considered. If you need further pop/rock rep suggestions for specific shows or styles, click here.
1. Grace Potter. A versatile and rangy singer, Potter straddles several musical genres. With her band the Nocturnals, she has put out a couple of barn-burner rock albums. However, she has also duetted with Kenny Chesney on country radio, and sang a straight-ahead pop tune for the “Tangled” soundtrack. Check her out for some style-bending goodness.
Five songs to start with: “Stars,” “Something That I
Leave a Reply