Music Review and Interview with Fiama
Brooklyn singer-songwriter Fiama writes about the ups and downs of life, love, and destiny. Her work explores the polar emotions that come with being in love: happiness and pain, possession and loss, trust and betrayal. In her upcoming record, “Way to Happiness” Fiama holds nothing back. Music Review for “Move Ahead”
The world has taken notice of what New Yorkers have known for years: from Sunset Park to Bushwick to Williamsburg, the Mecca of the deep, dark, and dangerous underground scene lives and thrives in the County of Kings a.k.a. Crooklyn a.k.a. Brooklyn. Peppered with clubs like SRB, Cameo, Glassland, and TBA.
The underground has always been there. After the sun sets (or in some cases begins to rise) all roads eventually lead to Brooklyn. So let’s talk about Fiama and her hit new single “Move Ahead” It displays a large musical range within her chosen genre, and an equally sizeable emotional range in her very well crafted lyrics.
“I feel to deep and I love to strong there’s never an in between… ”
Overall, this is an extremely well written track that displays Fiama’s abilities as a songwriter as well as a very fine vocalist. As I walked down Park Ave this morning on my way to work, humming along to this song with it’s insanely catchy hook, I realized we’ve got a real star in the making here and this could be the song that breaks her into the big time!
Check out our exclusive interview with Fiama below and take a listen to her track “Move ahead” being played on Kiss 104.7 FM through our Exposed Vocals Sponsorship Program with FM Broadcast Partners.
By HBdidit – Exposed Vocals Music Reviewer and Breaking News Contributor.
A NYC fashion designer, music reviewer and lover of life!
FM Broadcast:
Listen to ‘Move Ahead by Fiama being played on Kiss 104.7 FM
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
FIAMA: I posted one of my new songs “Move Ahead” on Sound cloud, and Exposed Vocals reached out to me via twitter.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
FIAMA: I grew up in Hoffman Estates, IL. “Midwest girl” I moved to Brazil when I was 14. As long as I can remember I had a passion for writing music. The one thing that always made me feel “less” as an artist was I don’t play an instrument and never have. I could never figure it out as much as I tried, but I could hear instruments in my head very clearly. Melodies, lyrics, the actual instruments all at once making a complete song: They just came to me out of nowhere in pieces, now they come in my dreams sometimes. I’ve had to learn to interpret them through a human trumpet noise I do, singing, etc to express the melody I want to hear for the tune to musicians. I’m half Brazilian so going there just brought an even deeper passion for music that I already had.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
FIAMA: The name Fiama is a funny story if you dig spiritual stuff…lol My mom and I lived in an apt in Brazil. We were going through a lot at the time, struggling, and all I could imagine was being a songwriter one day. In one instance my mom was sleeping, and woke up randomly from a dream, and said FIAMA. I said “what”? What does that mean? She said, that’s the name you should use if and when you represent yourself in music. At the time I hated the name, but really grew to love it. It’s been my name ever since, and in Italian I found out means Firey Spirit, but with two M’s. Funny right?! I received a lot of messages when I was in Brazil. Brazil is just a spiritual placeJ
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
FIAMA: I totally give my music away for free. I don’t think its right/fair to ask people for money if they don’t know who I am or haven’t had a chance to get to know me as an artist. Even with that feeling I had “Move Ahead” out for free, but it’s funny because folks still insist on buying it, that’s why I put it up on itunes now to sell. I think artists have a hard time figuring out when, how, who to promote to, and if they should sell or give away. I think online music sharing is a great idea. It exposes new indie artists who want to share their experiences with people. Music is powerful. It’s a story. By sharing it you might be able to help someone feel less alone.
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?
FIAMA: That’s a great question as I’m still and I think will always need tips myself…lol I think the most important thing you need to do as an artist is learn to feel comfortable promoting yourself. This has always been super tough for me. “It’s intimidating”. In saying that though, take your time. I waited a while before even putting out my first single. I just literally released another song from my record. Be humble and don’t expect anything crazy amazing to happen, and yet be positive. If you have your product together, you listen to your heart, and you try to get gigs and airplay from folks that you yourself look up to, and respect then you will feel great when you are given the opportunity. Also, start small. Go to your local bar and jam out.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
FIAMA: Of course! I had this conversation with producer of Way to Happiness and good friend of mine recently. He was telling me all his bloopers when he was an artist and we laughed about it. Nerves are nerves. If you aren’t nervous what are you doing? If you are nervous it means you don’t want to disappoint your fans and you love what you do. How do I handle it? I work hard so that I do better next time. Practice, practice, practice.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
FIAMA: Honestly, I’ve never toured but I hope to in the future.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
FIAMA: It goes back to growing up. I’ve always been drawn to writing music. My mother was/is a songwriter and singer; Music and instruments playing pop in my head, in my dreams. Lyrics and melodies: With that comes deep emotion. I have a great deal of empathy, and sympathy for pain and heartache of any kind. I have had my own pain, history, and those memories stick with me deeply, and when I see anyone else going through something I’m able to connect with them via music. At least, I always hope I can.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
FIAMA: I do have a website:
I also have my twitter page which I’m getting used to and facebook.
https://m.facebook.com/fiamamusic
https://twitter.com/fiamamusic
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
FIAMA: LOL! I don’t have those up. I have them all personally set in my computer with a secure password…hahah
I can tell you that when I was a kid I wrote a song called “pink roses” on the ocean What the hell I was thinking? You grow more and more as a writer I tell ya.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
FIAMA: Wow. That’s simple. I would buy a condo by the beach for my mom. I’d travel the world and learn new music and cultures; None of the fancy hotels, and fancy foods. “I want real.” I would spend very little of that money and live modestly with the locals. I would learn more about myself on a spiritual level. I’d also work hard at becoming a songwriter for other artists. That’s something I would love the opportunity to do.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
FIAMA: I finished recording my new record “Way to Happiness” last year. I haven’t even put out the entire record and I’ve already started writing the next one; would be great to be back in the studio. One of the best times of my life was recording Way to Happiness with awesome and very talented producer Ben Rice from Degraw Sound.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
FIAMA: This is always still tough for me, promoting my music. I do a lot of FB blasts in hopes that my music reaches more folks. I work with awesome teams like “Exposed Vocals” who give opportunities for indie artist to get heard on a larger scale. I also perform.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
FIAMA: Oh that’s super simple. I would love to perform with Yuna, and Sia. A friend of mine took me to a Yuna concert a few years back. I wanted to just throw in the towel with music, and when I saw Yuna she really brought me back to life with her music. I realized that this is what my heart was pulling me towards, and that I couldn’t run away from that feeling or music. Sia has that same effect on me. Her music takes me to another place. It breathes truth. It inspires me to be more and more comfortable as an artist to dig deeper when I write. I think my next record is going to be completely different from the first and second because of this journey I’m having with music and myself. I barely listen to music otherwise believe it or not.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
FIAMA: Way to Happiness will be released soon enough. I just released “Love’s So Stupid”. A silly song I wrote to lift my spirits when I was dumped…The video is just as silly. Next is one of my favorite songs that I wrote years ago called “Don’t Panic”. This song represents being on the edge. I’m working on new tunes as well. So music all aroundJ
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
FIAMA: I’m not sure really. Probably go back to school to become a therapist or teach.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
FIAMA: I don’t remember first album, but I remember begging one of my parents to go out late at night to buy me the bodyguard sound track. Those jams were the bomb! I started off as an R&B writer and that record just had way too many awesome tunes. I was obsessed.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
FIAMA: Sometimes you push yourself harder when you have lots of responsibilities. It makes you have more of a desire to push for your dreams.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
FIAMA: Look out for my “Way to Happiness Record”. It was a lot of fun, and also really emotional at times to make. It was my first step in doing music my way, and following my heart. Also I’m performing the record for the first time LIVE at Piano’s in NY on June 26, 6:30(doors). I’d love to see you there! J
