I am a singer/song writer from Cleveland Ohio, I have been producing my own original music for many years now and as living in Cleveland Ohio it has been a challenge to get heard and get a good producer and agent to represent me. I have a passion for my music and the release I get when I am creating my music is that of any other, dealing with a lot of struggles in my life at the current moment as well as trying to finish Graduate school and get my music career started and dealing with possible neck surgery has been challenging, but as I say without change there is no different outcome. You have to push through the tough times to get to the light. I write and create art when I do my music, and I enjoy when others can be taken away from their problems even if it’s just for 3-4 minutes of hearing my music and relating or just having a good time and letting loose with a dance! It brings me great pleasure to see others dance and smile and express themselves when they are listening to my music and it gives me more faith that good things await!
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Raissia: I was on my twitter page and was excited to see exposed vocals invite and discovered their site and signed up! I thought it would be a great move and opportunity for me.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Raissia: I grew up in Cleveland Ohio, and I have always had a passion for writing and singing. I remember when I was like 6 and my Grandmother used to be a singer and I remember singing to a 45 record the song “Why do fools fall in love”, I still remember that till this day and I would not stop singing till I got it right.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Raissia: Well, Raissia is my birth middle name, I am Russian orthodox and in my church my parents needed to have a saints name, and hence my middle name was born, I know it also means queen, somewhere , .
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Raissia: I am new to the on line music scene; however I do now have a sound cloud account and I also have music that has been published through Tune core, they placed a few tracks on iTunes and on utube, I mean if people want to click on me and give my music a listen, I appreciate it, but don’t get me wrong I would love to get signed and earn an income from something that I love doing so much.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Raissia: I would just say never stop creating art and being active in the music scene whether that be on line or maybe booking some gigs in their local town, never give up on such a passion that makes them feel good, I know my music is an escape from the stresses of my life!
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Raissia: If I come across a mistake or memory glitch, just go with the flow and don’t ever stop and make it obvious, it will all work out and to know it is not the end of the world.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Raissia: I have not had the opportunity present itself yet, as I am a new artist on the music scene, I am always interested in getting more exposure, I mean I enjoy nothing more than to see others enjoying my music and dancing and losing themselves in my music that may help them in their stressful lives, even if it is only for a few minutes!
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Raissia: I am sure you have heard this before, but I never plan on writing a song, it literally just happens, no matter where I am at, I can be at a doctor’s appointment, or even at the store, or red light, if I get inspired to write I have to start writing, I mean I will pick up a pen and write on anything just to get it down, then I go to my studio and make the music for it, and then I lay it down. I am inspired though through my life’s events, or family members, or just crazy ideas that come into my mind that I know can be a great song.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Raissia: I am working on my web site, but I am on sound cloud, my space, twitter, face book, Pinterest, tune core, and tumbler, and I also am registered with push promo with their music contests.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Raissia: Oh my, um, Idk if embarrassing, I enjoy all types of music, but I love that old 80’s tune whip it! Always gets me in a better mood and I just let go and dance!
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Raissia: I would first help the animal protective league and St. Jude’s children’s hospital, then I would help my family out since they have supported my music and skin care line, then I would get in the studio and create a new album for my fans, just love helping others and making music!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Raissia: Once I have increased income I want to revamp my studio, but as for right now, I use pro-tools and audacity, I find those very hands on and they both work well, I just got some new equipment and love my new condenser microphone metallic blue!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Raissia: I have been promoting daily on line with sound cloud, tune core, word of mouth on my twitter account and all my social media accounts, I am working on getting more gigs locally too.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Raissia: I have always wanted to perform with my singing mentor which was Madonna, she grew up poor and worked hard and now look where she is at, I do also like Lady Gaga since I enjoy here singing style and her abilities and Pat Benatar due to her classical singing training, I would also like to sing with Avenged Sevenfold I think they are great and I love M. Sanders I believe we would do a great duet!, sorry I can’t keep that to just one artist, also I would love to perform at a large venue so I could have all my fans and followers to have one big party and escape their daily lives at least for one night!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Raissia: I am working on new music at the current moment and working on getting my tracks out as soon as possible to all social media sites.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Raissia: I am active in my own organic skin care line and I am finishing my Masters in clinical psychology, Singing is by far my biggest passion and the one thing I spend the most time on, but I have to keep up with all of my projects, because I enjoy educating myself and helping others feel good about themselves as well.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Raissia: I believe the very first album, well four come to mind, for sure number one is Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Whitney Houston, and Madonna. I was so excited, I love all of their music and couldn’t wait to hear it and dance and sing all over my room.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Raissia: Balance, you have to know how to balance multiple things in your life and I have always been good at that, when passion is involved you just find a way to make it work, especially if you are determined like I am.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Raissia: More music by Raissa, hopefully on the radio, on internet radio, even in stores including online stores, and with more access to my multiple tracks on line, and great creative dance, pop, even a little hip hop songs that will be a blast to share with all of my fans and followers!
