From Beginner To Getting Signed To A Record Label In LA - VTS Student Highlight Billy Titko

“Everything has changed—absolutely everything. The transformation has been incredible, my whole life has been flipped upside down in the best way possible.” - Billy Titko

While getting signed to a record label isn’t absolutely necessary anymore thanks to social media, it’s still a dream for many singers, as it can skyrocket a career. But how does someone actually get signed? How can you stand out in a sea of singers and artists? Who better to tell us than someone who’s actually done it!

When Billy first started taking vocal lessons at VoxTape Studios a few years ago, she came in with the dream of fronting a rock band but had no idea where to begin. She was a bit lost when it came to finding her voice, understanding her instrument, and even the idea of performing terrified her. But just two years later, she moved her entire band from Portland, OR to LA after signing a record deal and is now working on her debut album.

Billy sat down with us to share her journey. Here's how it went:

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Humble Beginnings

🎙 Lara: Do you remember what you sang in your first voice lesson?

💬 Billy: I think it was Bruno Mars, right?

Looking at Billy and her rock band now, it’s hard to believe her first voice lesson was with “Talking To The Moon” by Bruno Mars. But she was shy and unsure of her dream to be a rock star, and this R&B song felt like a safer choice—especially coming off a previously released R&B record.

💬 Billy: Omg, I totally forgot about this record! Good thing I took it off all streaming platforms haha!

Stage Fright

In that first lesson, Billy spent more time talking than singing—she was nervous, and even said she’d cry if someone asked her to sing in front of others. Naturally, we had to ask if she still struggles with stage fright.

🎙 Lara: Looking at you perform now, it doesn’t seem that you are scared to step up on that stage anymore…

💬 Billy: It’s the craziest thing, but I don’t have stage fright at all. On stage is actually where I feel the best! Now singing in the studio, that’s a different story…

Billy’s so in her element on stage that she loves giving it her all and sharing the moment with the audience. Not everyone has the same experience—Adele, for instance, has spoken about her own stage fright—but many singers push through and find joy once the music starts.

If stage fright is something you’re battling, just know it does get better. The more aligned you are with your artistry, the easier it becomes to share it with others.

💬 Billy: I’ve been acting my entire life and being on stage I feel like I’m taking on a character - It’s still me though! It just really helps getting the performer in me out.

We talked about how bringing that same energy into the studio might help her feel more confident there, too.

The Road To A Record Deal

🎙 Lara: I think we all want to know how you managed to get signed to a label so quickly. Walk us through what that journey looked like.

💬 Billy: It really started with voice lessons… without that I wouldn’t have been able to do everything else. But beyond that, we played A LOT of live shows and posted a lot on social media.

Billy was determined to become the best live rock band she could be. Playing show after show gave them constant opportunities to create content, which eventually landed in the right hands.

💬 Billy: Don, our now-manager, messaged me on socials wanting to work with us. I kept saying no because I thought it was a scam. But he kept following up. A year later, he emailed me: “I got you this opening gig at a venue in Portland. Do you want it or not? Call me.” That’s when I finally took him seriously.

Given the music industry’s reputation, Billy was understandably hesitant. But Don turned out to be the real deal—he even introduced her to the CEO of TAG, the label she’s now signed to.

🎙 Lara: You got there because you put yourself out there. Nobody’s going to come knocking if you’re not visible. Your social media game was ON.

The days of being “discovered” in a bar are long gone. Labels want artists who are already putting themselves out there. So if you’re serious about singing, share your voice. You never know who might see it.

“You can’t be afraid to be bad. Put it out there and someone will be able to hear what it COULD be and then help you become great.” - Billy

Testing Your Character

🎙 Lara: I believe another big reason why you are successful today is because you are kind and professional.

💬 Billy: Actually, one of the first things my label did before we signed was take me out to see how I react and to test me as a person.

From day one, Billy always went out to other shows, cheering on the other bands, instead of following the typical rock star image, pretending that she was better than everyone else. Being nice and professional (aka showing up on time) will take you far.

Discovering Your Own Sound

🎙 Lara: Now that you are a signed artist living in LA, what would you say has been the biggest change for you looking at where you came from?

💬 Billy: I finally feel like I have found my sound.

“You have to go through all the wrong things and be bad and mess up so much to find what works for you.” - Billy

Building a strong foundation in singing is essential—it shapes vocal control, endurance, and overall artistry. Proper technique helps prevent strain and injury, allowing for greater vocal longevity. Breath support, pitch accuracy, and resonance all stem from a well-developed foundation, enabling singers to perform with confidence and consistency. Without this solid groundwork, it becomes challenging to explore different styles, expand vocal range, or develop a unique sound.

“Practice makes permanent, muscle memory can kick in in a good way or a bad way” - Lara

Billy is certain that being exposed to artists in live shows showed her what was possible (My Chemical Romance being one of them). That source of inspiration led to action. After years of putting shows together and being on stage, it was time for her to experiment with different producers. She found the right people that not only understood her, but challenged her to be a better version of herself.

Having A Team

Another major shift? Building a team. For two years, Billy was doing everything herself - running her social media, booking shows, writing songs, shooting music videos, etc.

🎙 Lara: What does your team do for you now?

💬 Billy: What don’t they do for me?! I have a manager who takes care of my schedule, handles drama for me and gets me on guests lists for parties and events. My A&Rs (Artist & Representation) they help with anything art related - we listen to demos together, how I present myself on stage, music videos, etc. and they got me modeling jobs, shows and things like that. And then I have the marketing team who will create social media marketing plans, photo shoots, writing my bios, stuff like that.

Not every label is the same. Billy stressed how - especially the A&R side of her team - is not normal for labels. They are VERY involved in the creative process, which is exactly what she wanted.

Mindset Matters

🎙 Lara: You woke up one day and told your mom that you think you’re meant to be a rockstar…

💬 Billy: That’s literally how this all started and what made me reach out to you for voice lessons initially. But man, it’s hard. I’ve cried myself to sleep many times. But I have no other choice, but to pursue this. It’s the only thing I want.

There are a million reasons to quit every day (cue Lady Gaga haha!), but if this is really what you want, then you just have to push through. Sitting in a cubical from 9 to 5 is also hard. Flipping burgers all day is also hard. Which hard would you rather choose?

Advice for Aspiring Artists

For those navigating a similar journey, know that every step is part of the process. Keep pushing forward, experimenting, and growing.

“The time is gonna pass either way, it’s how you choose to spend it” - Coach Juliana

You don’t need to have everything figured out right away, but staying in motion is crucial. The time spent on distractions or tasks that don’t serve your artistry could instead be invested in honing your craft—making a significant impact on your growth and success.

Also, don’t wait until you have a perfect product to put yourself out there. No one is expecting perfection from you (besides yourself).

"If you’re waiting until you feel ready, you’ll never do it. I wasn’t ready. But I was done waiting.” - Billy

For a deeper dive into this conversation and more insights, check out the full podcast episode below.

Follow Billy and her journey to becoming a real life rock star on socials @billytitko

Check out Billy's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5WP8AHsBPwmZdOGSr9EL?si=vmIuh-KkSmOtcCzVSH26tA

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