Artist Spotlight: VALERIA™

Official Web Site: www.mp3.com/valeriem/

Astrological Sign: Virgo | Music/Genre: Pop

Current & Upcoming CDs:
Promotional/Demo CD: "Gentle Touch" - available on www.mp3.com/valeriem/
Debut CD: expected out in August

Contact Info: valerias_music@hotmail.com

Her confidence is overwhelming, her energy "sky high", her appearance exciting, and her life anything but ordinary. Everything she starts she concurs with the best of success. Yet, read one of her rhymes, hear one of her songs and be given just one of her sincere smiles and you will be surprised to realize Valeria is still such a caring, modest and down to Earth person.

Valeria was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Her parents used to say that "she could dance before she could walk and sing before she could talk". Unfortunately, her talent was suppressed for a long time due to the difficult living circumstances in the environment where she was growing up. But, she seem to have made the most out of it all. She earned a degree in EE and soon after that got an invitation from University of South Florida in Tampa to join their teaching stuff and finish her Masters in Applied Physics as well.

Crossing the ocean opened many new horizons for Valeria and gave her a chance to finally surface and with the full strength reaches towards the biggest joy of her life "her music". She invested a lot of time and effort into growing as a songwriter and improving her 4 octaves range vocal. Being exposed to a broad variety of music styles in the US market, brought some innovations to her personal style. She grew up listening to the music of George Michael and Madonna, but now artists like Mariah Carey and Boyz2Man made her become fond of making occasional trips into the R&B style, and singers like Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez made her develop the taste for the Latin percussion patterns.

The somewhat alternative style of a terrific musician and lyricist, Sheryl Crow, also became a great inspiration and made an impact on Valeria's music. She experienced studio work and gigs and learned a lot about music industry in the USA overall. By the touch of fate, she also stayed active in modeling and being in front of the camera was just enough to "keep her in shape"!

In 1997, Valerie decided for the first time to enter one of the nationwide songwriting competitions. In searching for a partner musician and a producer, she met Matt MacConnel. Their songwriting partnership developed into an inspirational collaboration, which produced music that has been described as genuine, happy, thoughtful, real, warm and sensual. Valeria's songs talk about loving, living, good times, hard times and very often reveal her deepest personal thoughts. Weather she is telling a story about an imaginary, visualized situation or living through it, there is something in common you'll always find in her rhymes - honesty and emotions.

Be sure to check out her web site at MP3.com for samples of her music, and to keep an eye on this shining star.

Our Interview with Valeria™

Q - Years in music business
A - Like most of the artists out there, I've learned about my love for music and my singing abilities at the very early age. But, I consider that a real development and a serious pursuit of my singing and songwriting career started about 5-6 years ago.

Q - Favorite artists
A - I grew up with his music and he's the strongest influence on my music and singing style - George Michael. It's unfortunate that such a songwriting genius with such a captivating, soulful voice is known better for some things of a different "nature" on this side of the ocean. Also, just to name few more people I really admire: Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Phil Collins, Whitney, Christina...and many, many more.

Q - What projects are you currently involved with?
A - Finishing and getting ready for a promotion of my debut CD. It should be out and available by the end of summer. All the updates will be posted on my web sites.

Q - In your opinion, what makes you stand out from others in your field?
A - Maybe not being afraid to show vulnerability or admit feeling deeply hurt and weak sometimes. In combination with the seductiveness and sensuality that "floats" in most of my songs and eclectic influence of both European and US variety of music styles, it gives a very special vibe to my music. Lots of my fellow artists/songwriters have a hard time taking off the "mask" of unbreakable strength, independence and toughness.

Q - What is your most memorable moment as a musician?
A - Getting on the stage in front of 10,000 people for the first time!

Q - Is there anything about you people don't know that may surprise them?
A - How about that one day I've picked up two suitcases, sat on the plane from Europe and came to the continent (US) where I didn't know a single soul..? I think I surprised myself with that one! It was a pretty crazy thing to do, but a wonderful adventure and I'm very glad that everything happened the way it did.. It opened up the door to a new life for me.

Q - If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, how would you do it?
A - Hungry for life! I always want it all!

Q - What do you consider your best quality to be?
A - Oh, there's so many! How can I decide on just one?! Kidding! I'll say - being very POSITIVE. It helps me wake up with a smile almost every morning and it seems to make people around me happy and stronger, too.

Q - What do you do for fun when you are not performing?
A - I love playing volleyball and tennis, SHOPPING (..can somebody tell me the definition of a "shopaholic" because I'm afraid I became one!! ), photography, going to the movies.. But, I also find it very appealing to stay at home with someone special and close to my heart ( : ) : ) ) and be a "couch potato"!

Q - What inspires you the most in life?
A - Loving and being loved.

Q - What is your favorite food?
A - That's a tough one! I love ALL the food ! Can I say what I DON'T like..? Caviar!!! I can't take caviar!!!

Q - What's your favorite place in the world?
A - I love Miami beaches and nightlife, New York "crowd" of people and Broadway, trees of California cost, Palo Alto coffee shops, San Diego's diversity, Hawaiian sunsets, British people unique characters, Italian architecture.. But there is one place that brings back lots of happy memories and that makes it my favorite - Belgrade, Yugoslavia.. That's where I grew up..

Q - Most memorable place where you have performed?
A - Well, there was this concert in San Diego organized by the big company I worked for at the time. And there was this band that played and that I was not a part of, until they decided to change it somewhere in the middle of the concert!! They dragged me out on the stage - totally unexpectedly and totally unprepared!! Not to mention I was supposed to sing in front of all these people that I knew ( ..and I always had hard time with that!!) But, at the end it turned out to be a lot of fun..

Q - What kind of kid were you growing up?
A - Shy.. Painfully shy around the people Iflatteredknow! And a total "tom boy" around the kids from the neighborhood!

Q - Growing up, what did you think you'd become?
A - One thing is for a fact - I wanted to be a singer for as long as I can remember! I'm glad I stuck with that plan! But, I also wanted to be an ice-cream vendor, to be veterinarian, then doctor ( never wanted to be a lawyer even though people tell me I have a "big mouth" and I would be a good one!) then linguist/interpreter, after that an architect and..let me see..what else..? Well, I ended up with an engineering/physics degree. But, hey, but do you hear me complaining!?

Q - What advice would you give someone interested in your field?
A - Cherish that artistic string in you, because love for music is a powerful thing. It can bring you up when you are down and help you get going even through the toughest times. It's a very special gift.. But.. Keep your both feet on the ground and be realistic about your status, opportunities and capabilities at all times! Music might be something that you love, but music industry is a business and you will only succeed if you treat it that way.

Q - Any Last words?
A - I am very flattered to be singled out to be a Featured Artist of the Month among so many wonderful new and up-coming artists!! Thank you "MiamiNightOut" ! I enjoyed sharing few of my thoughts with all of you reading this interview and I hope you feel the same way.. I also hope you'll stop by my website and enjoy listening to some of my songs, too. If you do - please let me know! Thanks!