Music that takes you places or makes you feel and believe in something, even if you don't understand the language. Beautiful melodies.
My own musical influences are: The Beatles, Prince, PJ Harvey, Ween, Stereo Lab, Sarah McLachlin, David Bowie, Bob Marley, playing in my school orchestra for 8 years, Moby, Lush, Tori Amos, early Janet (miss Jackson if ur nasty..!), Smashing Pumkins, Radiohead, Built To Spill, The Smiths, Doves, Elastica, Ely Guerra, Elliot Smith, Bjork, Stars, Coldplay, Sinead O'Conner, Siouxsie and the Banchees, Cowboy Junkies, Depeche Mode, New Order, Pat Benitar, The Cure, many more 80's bands, my first exposure to live music. My mama and papa..and much much more...it's ever evolving..
Movies that help me experience pleasure, therefore helping my chances in writting and being productive: Eternal Sunshine of the Spottless Mind, American Beauty, The Shawshank Redemption, The Lost Boys, Stranger Than fiction, Better Off Dead. I could watch those movies a thousand times.
Sounds Like
ALMOST ROSARIO -
Pop rock songs arranged around more often minor chords. Although we're broadening our sound right now, so stay tuned...
ALLA-
German Krautrock experiments, Motown, Brazilian Tropicalia and cosmic jazz to lush romantic harmonies of traditional Mexican trio music and to Brian Wilson & Phil Spector's symphonic pop nuggets of the '60s... a soundscape of many colors.
Because of me being involved in various projects, I'll just tell ya about all of them. If you're too busy to even attempt to read this entire thing or (what friends tease me about) 'novel', just know that I've broken this down by the different projects I'm involved with, so read accordingly if you wish ;)
SOLO:::
I'm a singer/songwriter/musician. I live for music. I perform several days a week at various Potbelly Sandwich Works locations. My songs consist of covers and originals and I sometimes perform at weddings, parties, bars, and other special events with similar material, maybe just a bit more rockin (depending if the crowds drinking or not). I've been playing guitar and singing over 10 years and I love it!
ALMOST ROSARIO:::
I got together with my bands from playing out at open mics, in both of my projects funny enough. My band is called Almost Rosario. We're currently taking some time from performing to write new material. Our influences are all over, but our sound is mainly on a rocky poppy side. Our new jams should be closer to my heart sonic wise.. which is exciting and a bit scary at the same time. I've been writting for quite some time now, sometimes co-writting with other artists. We took some time to record an album of songs we've performed live together throughout the years, and newer creations of '08 as well. We'll hopefully get an ep out in the end, or perhaps we'll go the i-tunes route.. we shall see.. :)
ALLÁ::: Last but not least..
I was lucky enough to stumble upon my band Allá from having a friend of the Ledezma brothers, Jorge (the producer/creator), and Angel (drummer), hear me sing at an open mic. Thats when I first heard about this young pair who'd been working on this elaborate psychedelic/pop album. It had been many years in the making before Jorge really started the search for a singer, and so I came to be part of this eclectic ensemble... I sing in espanol in this lovely band and the music is a bit difficult to describe in one word, but trust me, its a sonic escape! Influences ranging from Stereolab, to the Beach Boys, with sprinkes of R&B and krautrock... 2008 proved to be a great year for Allá, with Crammed Discs backing us up!! We were also blessed to perform in New York and LA last summer. This year we're ready to take on Europe in the spring!
Check out my top friends below for more info on my bands.
So this is my life right now. Music. I know I'm lucky to say that it is. I'll be singing and performing as long as I can, and as long as I continue feeling and seeing the impact it can bring to someones life.. it has saved ME from crazy days.. I always appreciate people who take the time to say hi and let me know that they enjoy what I'm trying to do. I love that feeling of connecting with someone. It helps me keep the faith that I might be doing something worth while after all:) Thank you to all who support any and all forms of art!! I love you for it!
Hey. Just saying thanks, hi and that I stopped by your site to see what's new and cool. Looks great. Anyway have a great day... Yes, New album and music coming out soon! - ttyl joe valenta. http://joevalenta.com
It was great meeting you last weekend. My husband & I loved listening to you and think you have an amazing voice. Hope to check you out again next time we're in Chicago .... or MAYBE you can come to Michigan sometime and play! Have a beautiful day!!!
Idea for a cover song: "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. It should be acoustic and raw. Of course, if you sang this people might assume that you were singing about Ria. I am hoping you would be alright with that.
