Interview with Malena Pérez


Q: Please tell me something about yourself. We are you coming from musically? Who has influenced you?

Malena Pérez: Wow. I guess I would have to say that I've been inspired by Life itself! My mother and father both surrounded me with music growing up. And on a personal level, I've been through some really difficult experiences that have found peace and a welcome place in my songs. There is nothing like the different facets of the human experience to inspire poetry or lyrics! Over the past several years I've been listening to Amel Larrieux's solo albums, Fertile Ground (fronted by Navasha Daya, who I have so much respect for!), Jill Scott, Minnie Riperton, Eva Cassidy, Everything But the Girl, Flora Purim (who I actually got to meet at Temple Bar in Sta. Monica last fall - such a surreal experience!), and deep house music like the Naked Music albums (i.e., Blue Six/Beautiful Tomorrow). I also love Kyoto Jazz Massive. I've always been inspired by Latin women who have set the standard for quality vocals and really know how to express emotion through their art - Gloria Estefan's Mi Tierra album is amazing!...Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Cesaria Evora, Astrud Gilberto, Susana Baca...these women have been and will continue to inspire me musically. I also have significant choral training in liturgical music, which is why those (I've been told "angelic" - and perhaps prayerful) qualities of my voice are sometimes really evident. I really just never feel more free than when I am singing, and I feel that I am continually given messages of love and healing to share with others!

Q: You sing in English and Spanish. I wonder if you also speak German. After all your mother is German. Did your parents raised you speaking three languages? And how important were your parents for your decision to pursue a career as musican?

Malena Pérez: I was raised speaking English and Spanish, both of which I am fluent in. When I was little, my Cuban grandmother - my "Abuela Elsa" - kept me during the weekdays when my parents were at work, and she spoke to me only in Spanish. And I can speak some Mandarin Chinese - but not German! My parents never pushed me toward one career or another, though I have to say that my mother has been extremely supportive of my decision to pursue my passion and calling to share these gifts. I think she always "knew" that I would end up on a creative path. And my father is an avid lover of music, so I guess I get that from him! I definitely have my mother's entrepreneurial spirit and couldn't be happier pursuing what I love to do and helping others in the process.

Q: You've worked with amongst others Osunlade, Alix Alvarez and Michael Johnson on the songs of Stars. How did you met them and what did they bring to the Malena Pérez sound that wasn't there in the first place?

Malena Pérez: I met everyone involved in STARS at different points along this journey...I met Michael Johnson several years ago, I believe in January of 2002, in Atlanta. We were introduced by a dear friend of both of ours. Michael has done a great deal for my career as we did a lot of studio work as well as performing live with a full ensemble all over Atlanta. He introduced me to a lot of people on the underground music scene in Atlanta. I approached Alix Alvarez via email last fall as I have had much respect for his work, and of course I have been wanting to do work with Osunlade for a good while now! Giant Step helped me get in contact with Osunlade and from there we've been working directly with each other. Carlos Nino from L.A. - I was referred to him by a mutual friend from L.A. by way of Atlanta, Renee Loiz - we met to discuss what I wanted to do with this project and he has been such a steady and strong mentor for me throughout this. I also learned a lot from Alix Alvarez and have utmost respect for him as a producer and musician. I approached Kenny Dope directly via email. These days, with the internet, I think it's a lot easier to connect with people, especially if you are clearly passionate about what you are trying to do and you are direct and forthright about it. I am thankful for my business training in the corporate world (though I have degrees in Literature and Cultural Anthropology!:), as it has helped me invaluably in producing STARS and in running my label, Cubanita Groove.

Q: The music on Stars covers different genres. How do you describe your music and where do you see your musical niche in today's market?

Malena Pérez: It's difficult to describe your own music, no?! Welllll....I guess I would say it's progressive Latin jazz/downtempo/house...something like that. My niche?...this music is for true lovers of music and a positive message. I think that on this album there are tracks to dance to, to reflect on, to cry to...it's a healthy mixture but the common thread is that each song carries with it a message of love. When I look back over the pages of lyrics written for this album, I truly feel like a vessel. Sometimes I think, "where did I get those words from?!!!" Truly divine inspiration, I think.

Q: Your first single Free To Fly was remixed by JustOne, the second Chase The Butterflies saw a remix by Kenny Dope. How do you feel when other people cut you music to pieces and rearrange it to come up with a song with a different vibe.

Malena Pérez: Interesting question. It's a bit odd, especially when you first listen to what the remixer has done. Your ear has been trained to hear the original version so it takes a few listens to get into the groove. Both the Free To Fly and Chase The Butterflies remixes I am definitely a fan of, though the originals are always closest to my heart! I love the K-Dope remix at the end of STARS since it follows "Gracias A La Vida," which is such a heavy and intense track. The remix is kind of like a reprise to the original "Chase..." track and seems to bring the album full circle, and lets it end on a lighter note...until the hidden track, of course, which ends in prayer.

Q: Are there any remixers you like to touch your songs? Who are they and why?

Malena Pérez: Oh, wow, there are several that I really admire - 4Hero, DJ Spinna, Nickodemus of Turntables on the Hudson, Louie Vega, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Sa Ra, Madrid de los Austrias, Matthew Herbert...each for their different signature styles, and all of them for the consistent quality of their work!!! But I am definitely open to working with new and established talent alike.

Q: Cubanita Groove Records is your own label. Why did you establish it and is this imprint a vehicle to promote yourself only or do you plan to sign, produce and nurture other artists as well?

Malena Pérez: I established Cubanita Groove with the goal of promoting music and art created by women. And I do plan to bring on new talent, yes! Starting with an artist by the name of Jacqueline Marie, who is currently based in San Francisco. We'll be making an official announcement with more information about her project within the coming months. She is a very talented young woman with a very soulful voice and such a gift for writing. Cubanita Groove will also release, late this year, a compilation featuring female vocalists that will be the first of what I plan to be a series of releases, the proceeds of which will go to different women's causes/organizations.

Q: Would it be an option for you to sign with a major label or are you happy being an independent artist and the revenue you have?

Malena Pérez: I am definitely happy as an independent artist in terms of having creative control and being able to see your creative vision come to fruition! It is definitely time consuming and a lot of work running a label! I am enjoying it a lot and learning a lot, though some days are definitely quite stressful! I've always thought if I were ever signed to a major label, I'd want it to be Blue Note. They are respected in the industry and their roster blows my mind! Everything from Lou Donaldson and Miles Davis to Madlib and St. Germain. And it seems that Bruce Lundvall and his team stand behind their artists and promote them well.

Q: Blue Note itself is just a subsidiary of EMI these days, a company that's notorious for releasing copy protected CDs (at least here in Europe). For me these are just buying protected CDs because I won't ever buy a CD I can't copy to put the songs on my Digital Audio Player or to create a mixed CD of my favourite tunes for myself or for friends. This is just a nuisance for the one who bought the CD that even may not play on his CD player. What do you think about the so called Digital Rights Management that should prevent one from copying a CD?

Malena Pérez: This is a tough question to answer, especially as an artist and as a label. I understand that there are those people that would rather purchase the CD and then upload it, versus purchasing directly online and then downloading into their iPod or other mobile music player. Technology is moving so quickly that while this is a hot issue at the moment, six months from now, the industry will be debating on something else. Perhaps it's similar to the adjustment period it took for consumers to get used to using CD's instead of cassettes - and yet, looking back, it seemed to happen relatively quickly. I think this is just another shift that, over time, will become more acceptable, as more people download music and fewer people purchase actual physical copies of an album. Personally, I'd like people to be able to upload their music to their computer once they've purchased the album, for then they'll be able to listen to it more often, with little effort required! However, I do understand that with all the P2P sharing going on these days, those protective measures are set up so that folks continue to purchase from the artist instead of nabbing a copy from their friends, etc. File sharing is not ill-intentioned - a lot of times, you are so excited about a track or an album that you want someone to have it right then and there! I like iTunes because if I want someone I care about to have an .m4p or .m4a track I will "gift" it to them via iTunes. And I hope that people would do that with my music!

Q: What meaning does the heart/circle logo of Cubanita Groove Records have?

Malena Pérez: Well, if you look closely, the left side of the heart forms a "c" and the right side forms a lowercase "g". The designer, Ben Loiz, and I were playing around with different ideas with the letters C and G and came up with the heart shape, which (hopefully) conveys that the music was made with love!

Q: You grew up in Atlanta and have recently moved to Brooklyn. What's the reason and what do you miss the most in Brooklyn?

Malena Pérez: Wow. I've wanted to live in New York for many years, and I always thought I would live there for at least a few years in my life. It has so much to offer! Diversity of culture, music, art - I love walking everywhere, too. I definitely miss being close to my family and my little neighborhood, Candler Park and Little Five Points. It will always be home!

Q: Of all the songs on stars is there a favourite one for you? Why?

Malena Pérez: Hmmmm...that's a tough one because it changes daily! So many are my "favourites"! If I had to pick ONE, I would say "Confesion". I love that song! I also love Stars and Gracias A La Vida. Miguel Atwood Ferguson's musicianship on both of those tracks is simply breathtaking! And we did those two LIVE - together, not tracked with vocals over. It was such a great experience. I will never forget that!

Q: Will you also promote Stars outside the USA? And what can one expect from a Malena Pérez live performance?

Malena Pérez: Yes, we are definitely working (and already working!) to promote STARS outside the U.S. I think that Europe and Japan and South America are all important markets for this project. And South Africa as well. I don't know, I just feel it crosses over various genres, so there's something for everyone! In terms of live performance, I am currently working with a very talented musician and artist in his own right, Masauko, also based in Brooklyn, to get the live act together and ready, with the right pieces in place. My hope for those that would come to a show is that it feels like an EXPERIENCE that touches them on another level. Most of my songs have somewhat of a spiritual message, even though the lyrics can be interpreted differently, depending on what people are going through, you know, but that's what I'm in this to convey, and I hope that that shines through during a live show.

Q: What can we expect from you on future releases? In which way do you like your music to develop?

Malena Pérez: Wow! I am just getting through this one at the moment! Future releases for me...I definitely love celebrating my Cuban heritage and that will always influence my music, as will themes of the human experience - finding strength, personal exploration and discovery, letting go of what isn't working in your life and embracing what IS (the NOW!); the Caribbean diaspora; love and self-love.

For more infos visit cubanitagroove.com, giantstep.net, myspace.com/malenaperez and read my review of Stars and Chase The Butterflies.