Ok, so maybe Sera Bullis isn’t exactly new to Syracuse itself, but, she is fairly new to the Syracuse music scene. At a mere 15 years old, this bright young lady is wowing audiences with jaw-dropping first-impressions all around the Central NY area.
At just 15 years old, Sera Bullis is taking the CNY music scene by storm!
Sera has written over thirty songs and she’s been singing and writing songs since a very young age. She plays piano, cello, ukulele and dabbles a bit on electric guitar.
At just 15 years old, Sera Bullis is taking the CNY music scene by storm!
She’s also just released her first EP, The Road to Marcellus, this past December which recently snagged a SAMMY for Best Pop.Sera was also honored with winning the Brian Bourke “Best New Artist” award. Sera was recently informed that one of the songs from her album, Way With Words, is a finalist in the teen category for the 2017 International Songwriting Competition.
Ah, so it is no coincidence that I first met this young lady while I was one of the judges in a songwriting contest here in Syracuse a few months back. I remember being impressed with her knack and skill at writing. I also remember thinking “how is it that a 15-year old thinks of stuff like this when she hasn’t reached an age that would qualify her experience on the subject matter? I went with deep soul as my justification for this and didn’t bother to worry about it.
We just let her play.
I caught up with Sera at a recent open jam where she once again made quite an impression.
CS: Hello Sera. Thank you for talking with us, here, at Table Hopping Sounds of Syracuse. Looks like things are going well for you. You’ve had a busy year. What do you think of all this music biz stuff?
Sera Bullis: Well, I am very excited for the many gigs that I have coming up since winning at the SAMMYs. Music biz is very fun and entertaining for both the viewer and the performer, and I’ve always loved making people happy through music.
CS: How did you get started in music?
SB: Music has always been a big part of my life, so I never really had to “start.” It was always there. It just simply grew over time. When I was very young, my parents said I was always singing around the house. I started piano
lessons at age 7, then started writing songs around age 10.
CS: What do you like to listen to?
SB: I like to listen to most genres of music. From classical to rock, pop, country, and even oldies. Some of the artists I like are Curtis Lee, 21 Pilots, Bon Jovi, and Beethoven.
CS: When did you know that you liked to write songs?
SB: I don’t recall exactly when I knew I liked writing songs, but, I do remember one of the very first songs I wrote. It was right after my first cat, Roo, died. After we buried him, I went straight inside and wrote a short song to remember him, it was called “I Miss You Roo.“
CS: How do you decide what you’re going to write about? Where do your ideas come from?
SB: I don’t usually sit down and think about what I am specifically going to write about. It is never a planned project. Usually, something happens, or, I will be thinking about something that affects me
emotionally, and the lyrics will pour right out. My ideas can come from myself, my friends, or even from a situation on TV or in movies. Whatever I click with is what I will write about.
Sera is influenced by artists such as Curtis Lee, 21 Pilots, Bon Jovi and Beethoven. She sings, writes and has performed in Musical theatre productions as well.
CS: Do you collaborate with others?
SB: I haven’t yet, but it would be an amazing experience in the future.
CS: Do you take music classes or training? Please tell us about it.
SB: Yes I do. I am currently taking private voice and guitar lessons, and in school I take group cello and chorus lessons.
CS: What’s your best advice about music?
SB: My best advice about music is, when you’re writing songs, make sure it is about something that you love or means a lot to you –not just a random subject you chose. I’ve learned that if you are singing a song you love, you will sing it better and with more emotion.
CS: What do you think of all this music business –and the Syracuse music?
SB: I think the Syracuse music scene is fabulous. I’ve met so many talented musicians, who have inspired me and given me great advice about furthering my career.
CS: What is it you hope to do with your music?
SB: I hope to share it with the world, and that people will relate to it and enjoy
listening as much as they can.
CS: What have been your best experiences with music?
SB: Well, before I started recording my album, I was performing in many musical theater productions. I loved that I got to meet so many amazing people and create great memories that I will never forget. Another great experience was participating in the
Redhouse Arts Center Rock Camp. I got to learn more about my craft, while making friends and music along the way.
CS: Any funny stories from your music experiences?
SB: Well, when I was 10 years old, I sang America The Beautiful at the US Tennis Open. I remember my parents were so nervous for me to sing in front of thousands of people. But when I was finished, I walked off and the only thing I wanted to do was get ice cream. My parents thought this was very amusing considering what I had just
accomplished.
CS: When you’re not
doing music, what else do you like to do?
SB: I like to walk in the woods and enjoy nature, because other than music, I love animals a lot. I also love spending time with my
family, who love and
support me very much.
CS: Tell us about your new CD:
SB: My new CD, called The Road To Marcellus,
contains 5 of my original songs. It recently won a SAMMY award for Best Pop Album, which I am very proud of.
CS: What’s in your music future – future in general?
SB: I will keep performing out as much as I can, writing more songs, and just keep up with my music. My plan is to get back in the studio to record another album next winter.
CS: Where can we keep track of you and your music?
SB: You can find information about me and my upcoming events on my website, which is: www.serabullismusic.com.
Check out Seras new CD, the Road to Marcellus, a recent SAMMY winner for Best Pop Album.
Chuck Schiele
Chuck Schiele is a lifelong, award-winning musician, art director, producer, editorialist, artist, activist, member Quatrocollective.com and fan of the CNY music scene. To be considered for this column, please write chuck.schiele@gmail.com.
