Check out Zayra's interview
with Latino University Magazine. - by José Albino
Jet Set Rock n' Roller
From fixing jet planes to taking risks competing for rock star glory, Puerta Rican indie rocker Zayra Alvarez talks shop about following her passion.
Jose Albino: You went to college and earned a degree in industrial engineering because your parents wanted you to. Why didn't you pursue music first?
Zayra: We come from lands of struggle and our parents want us to have a better life and better opportunities. I was always clear about my passion for music with my parents. They said that I had to go to college and then I could follow my passion. When I was done with school, I basically handed them the degree.
Jose Albino: When did you decide to pursue your passion 10 be a musician full time?
Zayra: When I was working [at jet manufacturer Boeing] in Texas. I had greal co·workers but, they were just Ihere for lhe paycheck. I didn't want to live my life like that. When you do what you love, it's not a job and the money will come. You work harder because you want to, not because you have to. It's a win-win when you do something that you love.
Jose Albino: How did you break into the biz?
Zayra: I started taking small steps. I started learning and playing [shows) on my own, for my own satisfaction and not thinking that it would turn into something professional. I was doing a lot of open mics and managers saw me and offered me help. Four years later, I have had two albums and toured a lot. Luckily, I've had people support me.
Jose Albino: In 2006, when you were a contestant on CBS's Rock Star: Supernova you took a big risk by performing an original song in Spanish, "Liuvia de Mar" on a major English-speaking network. That look a lot of guts.
Zayra: I just had to do it. I can't pretend to be something else. The weeks went by and I needed to really show my true self. Singing another person's song wasn't really my thing. I was just doing what I normally do. A lot of Latinos identified with it.
Jose Albino: What advice would you give to a Latino who is in college working on his/her degree, but has a passion to create music or another form of art?
Zayra: My advice is to always have a foundation to fall back on because this [creative field] is very unstable. Start small and see how people react to your art. People [and their reactions] are good indicators. You must definitely be prepared 'cause the competition is fierce! Get ready for the worst, but if you love it, do it. Never give up and keep your focus.
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