For most college students, the pressures of rigorous academics, demanding extracurricular activities, and a balanced social life hardly leave them with any free time. But Junior Andrea Pappas has managed to add one more thing to the list: a blossoming music career.
Pappas, a 21-year-old native of Oyster Bay, N.Y., is majoring in Theatre at Wake. Her album, Don’t Make Me Wonder, will include 12 tracks that she wrote herself, and is being produced by Cory Rooney. Based in New York, Rooney has written and produced hits with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Destiny’s Child.
Pappas, who describes her genre as “jazz-pop,” answered some questions this week about her future goals as a singer, and the challenges she faces in attempting to break into the industry.
HerCampus (HC): Tell me about when you first started singing. When did you decide it was a career you wanted to pursue?
Andrea Pappas (AP): This may sound corny, but I was singing, or rather humming, before I could speak. Music was always a great way for me to learn, and my parents seemed to pick that up pretty quickly. When I first stepped into a recording studio when I was 15, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue.
HC: Working with Cory has added a lot of credibility to your image as an artist. How were you introduced to him, and what is your professional relationship like?
AP: Cory actually found me through Facebook when a mutual friend of ours told him to check out my page. He could have just let it go, but he decided to meet with me to see what I was all about. The first thing I told him was ‘I am not looking to be the next Lady Gaga.’ We are honest with each other, and we have a great understanding of each other’s ideas.
HC: You write your own lyrics. Where do you draw inspiration for those songs, and what do you do to combat writer’s block?
AP: I definitely draw inspiration from my own life, and I try to create lyrics that everyone can listen to and say ‘I know exactly how she feels.’ This ranges from really personal feelings like heartache, to general everyday experiences such as being hit on at a bar. And I experience writer’s block all the time. I can’t just sit down and write a song on command.
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HC: How do you balance school and singing?
AP: It’s not easy. School is obviously extremely important, but at the same time, I have to focus on writing lyrics that could potentially be a hit song on the radio. I have flown back and forth a few times this semester to have meetings with my producer and continue to write records. I’m actually taking a semester off from school in the fall so that I can fully dedicate myself to my album.
HC: Taking time off school is pretty serious! Your family must really believe in you. How have they supported you, both mentally and financially, in your career goals?
AP: They provide me with so much love and support. My dad is probably my biggest fan, and he critiques me, pushes me, and praises me for my hard work. I know that he has a set budget that he discusses with Cory, but let’s just say I don’t have Beyoncé’s budget of $500,000 per music video. That being said, to create great music, you need to hire musicians and engineers, and everything costs money. I am blessed and extremely thankful to have my father supporting my passion, and hope to be able to pay him back one day.
HC: What would you say to someone who told you that the chances of making it are unlikely?
AP: It is the ugly truth, but you never know what is to come of something until you try. I believe in myself, and I have the confidence. All I can do is try my hardest, and if that isn’t enough for people, then at least I can say I tried my best. If nothing happens with my work, I will focus on my other hobbies and concentrate on pursuing them. I will never stop singing though.
To listen to Andrea’s music and learn more about her, visit andreapappasmusic.com.
*Photography by Susan Bowlus & Johnny Rodriguez via andreapappasmusic.com