Exposed Vocals interviews Selena Seballo
Born November 6, 1980, in Orlando, Florida Selena’s home was filled with music. As early as she can remember, Selena was constantly exposed to a wide variety of classical, jazz, country and gospel music. In the 4th grade she discovered R&B and hip hop and found herself hooked on Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. She also fell in love with Michael Jackson’s Thriller album and the music of Ella Fitzgerald.
Quick to lead out in school and eager to be in the spotlight, Selena felt a pull even in grade school to express herself creatively. Her father, a professional actor, also played in a popular band called “The Exits” in the 1960s and 70s in Manchester, England. With both music and acting in her blood, Selena took to the stage early on, first with piano. “I had terrible stage fright playing the piano to the point where I stopped playing all together.” Singing, however was less stressful, and by the time she entered the 9th grade it seemed divine intervention had come into play and she felt comfortable performing.
Selena began singing regularly at school and church events and was rocked by the staggeringly positive responses to her voice. Encouraged strongly by her choir teacher, she began giving a career in music serious thought. After graduation she picked up the guitar and prayed for the ability to express her thoughts and ideas in song. “It was a huge challenge at first, but somehow it all came together my last year of college.” After a nearly 10 year hiatus since her self-titled debut album, Selena is back on the music scene and ready to make waves!
| Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I was born in Memphis but grew up in Orlando, Florida. My father was an actor on the West End in London and the lead singer in a band based in Manchester, England so music and entertainment is in my DNA. I started playing piano at 7. Taught myself the guitar at 14. I started singing at age 15 in high school. I didn’t fall in love with singing until the end of high school when I decided music and the arts was something I wanted to dedicate my life to. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve had many ups and downs but now I’m finally at a point where I know who I am as an artist and I have a style that is truly unique.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it? Come up with my name? That’s a question my parents would need to answer. My name looks and sounds lovely. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why? I believe there is a time and place for sharing music or giving it away for free. For instance, I give away CDs with a few songs for free. But as they say, nothing in life is free. Therefore, I don’t just give it out, I ask for their emails or social media support. 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? Nothing beats going to the people face-to-face. Be authentic. Be you. Love what you do because that will translate to the audience and they’ll love you for your love of what you do. Face-to-face marketing beats all. Then, hopefully, the “word-of-mouth” effect will kick in. Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that? Oh yes. Not typically, but I have done so. Fortunately I have a great sense of humor and am quite witty so I make a show of it. My audience gets more than music, they get my comical side too.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Haven’t toured yet but I’m looking forward to it.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process? My best material has come to me at random times (mostly when I’m in the shower or walking). It mainly starts from a one-liner or a lyrical phrase or a hook and I build from that. Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music? Artist: Yes. My website is www.selenaseballo.com and I use Facebook (/SelenaSeballoMusic); Twitter: @SelenaSeballo; My music is available on iTunes, Amazon, Cdbaby (/SelenaS), Youtube and multiple online sites. I’m really digging Twitter and Facebook at the moment as social media platforms. Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player? Artist: Yeah…let’s just say I’m getting closer and closer to becoming a “Belieber”…wink wink. Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it? Artist: I’d buy my own place— likely in the country. I’d write like my life depended on it. Then return to the city and put on some killer shows (theatre and musical). I’d also start a charity musical project I’ve been dreaming up for quite some time called “The Healing Project,” that would use music as a means to inspire and heal folks broken down by whatever life has thrown at them. There is great power in music. Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now? Yes. I’m excited about recording my new EP. I’m extremely proud of what I’ve written and am looking forward to laying it down with some killer musicians. Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you? After going at this for a while, I’ve found that nothing beats face-to-face promotion. Going out to venues and festivals and putting it all out there on the stage. It requires a bit of strategy as well (which is a conversation for another time). Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why? Amy Winehouse, because she was the real deal (gritty and raw). Whitney Houston, because she was my idol growing up and is still my number one. Whitney had a magic that was purely inherent. You can’t teach what she had. Ella Fitzgerald simply because I feel she was one of the greatest singers of all time. Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about? Love is War is my next project that I’m totally psyched about. It’s gonna be a small EP that packs a heavy punch with sounds drawn from my black church roots. Think soulful folk meeting African-American Spirituals and then some neo-soul thrown in. Its by far some of my best work lyrically. That’s why I’m taking my time with it so I get it recorded right. It’s gonna be butter on my bread! Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing? Artist: Acting. I have too much energy and nuttiness to sit behind a desk or where a dress suit. Indeed, I would be the struggling actress instead of the struggling singer. Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head? Yes. It was the soundtrack to Disney’s Aladdin. I loved “A Whole New World.” I wasn’t allowed to go to movie theaters back then so listening to the music helped me fill in the gaps and “see” the movie in my head. The most influential album that I got was Mariah Carey’s “Musicbox.” Still one of the greatest pop/R&B albums of all time if you ask me. Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life? Its very very hard. I’m at a great place in life now where I have a laid-back day job that’s part-time leaving me with time and energy to spare. Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016? My EP “Love is War” later this year and me performing in festivals (particularly in the United Kingdom). You can get a sneak peak of the album by visiting https://youtu.be/J2X32_Omx3E |