Malena Perez

Malena Perez released her debut album Stars, it featured production from Kenny Dope, Carlos Nino & The Life Force Trio, Michael Johnson, Alix Alvarez, and Osunlade. “Hi, thank you for the opportunity. Well, I am originally from Atlanta and have always felt myself to be an artist, even when I worked in a corporate setting”, says Malena Perez.

“My father and mother have both always held music in a sacred space in the home and in their and our lives. So, thankfully, it really rubbed off on me. I began to explore artists like Amel Larrieux and Jill Scott over the past several years. I really like what they do vocally. And I guess I would say of the greats, Minnie Ripperton and Flora Purim have made a huge impact on the way I view using the voice as an instrument. As well as being around choral & liturgical music, soul, jazz, Afro-Cuban, Senegalese, hip-hop, even southern rock bands like Widespread Panic, all different kinds of styles, that’s really influenced me in my life and in my music as well. When I met Michael Johnson in Atlanta through a mutual friend, that’s when I started recording and performing, developing my skills as an artist on a more professional level. And I’ve loved it. It starts to feel like family when you work on music with a person. The musicians I have had the pleasure of working with definitely feel like family”

Released on her very own record label, Cubanita Groove, she says “It felt great. I was really excited and I’m still excited about that project. It’s a nice collection of songs. Cubanita Groove is my record label imprint, which I founded in April of 2004, so I guess we are celebrating ‘3′ this month!” And her favorite song from Stars? “Hmm, I think I would have to say Confesión”

“Unstructured (by conventional opinion) and free flowing!”, admits Malena Perez on her songwriting. “I don’t write bridges, really. I feel it breaks the flow. I like going to a place where you’re in a vibe, in a zone, and maybe the lyric gets repeated over and over, and you get into a trance with the drums and you know that whatever happens, you are headed toward a different mind state and you can expect to stay there - not alarmed by a key change or a total twist in the hook”

She continues, “That kind of writing has its place, of course! But it’s not for me. I prefer the meditative type. “Get the message across. Take you and me higher” And just flow with that thinking in mind”

Malena Perez album Stars is pretty, organic, soulful and futuristic. How would you describe your Stars album, Malena Perez says, “Just THAT, what you said! I just want to touch people with a real message. I’ve reached a point where I feel I’m called to do it” And how long have you been playing music? “Since I used to bang on my mother’s piano when I was two years old ;)”

Her influences are varied, as she expresses, “When I was young, Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz, Juan Luis Guerra, Albita and whatever else my dad was listening to. I also listened to Toto, Madonna, Sade, Genesis, Stevie Wonder, and Boyz II Men. All the sweet or sexy stuff; Ha-ha”

Enchanting, is just one word to describe Malena Perez as an artist, she says what she was like as a teenager? “Wow, that’s an interesting question. I would have to say I was a bit of a recluse even though I was ‘popular’. I mostly listened to music in my room. I played on the basketball team, performed in musicals, sang in the church choir, was in the cheer leading squad, the math team. I was pretty well rounded I guess, but the majority of the time I was either studying or listening to music. An introvert if I had to pick one. Maybe an extroverted introvert”

Malena Perez will be working on her new project soon, she says “Well, what I know for sure is that I am working on my next album with Alix Alvarez and so far I am really happy with what we’ve written and with Alix’s production style. He is an amazingly talented producer and a real class act. Aside from that I am almost finished with an EP called Beautiful Walk Home and getting ready to do some acoustic sets in NYC and my hometown ATL. Happy for that. Beyond the next few months, I’m not sure. I’m always evolving. And life keeps getting more interesting” And on three people Malena Perez would like to work with the most, “4Hero, DJ Nobody, and Bjork!”

"Working too much” — on her worst personality trait.

Thank-you Malena Perez for doing this interview. Hope to see you perform in London soon.”Thank you and see you soon! ;)”

Email Interview by Matthew Daniel

Soulisms 2008