Alicia Sassano

http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/internationally-renowned-dance-pop-artist-aleesha-lands-track-on-wifi-pr-groups-indie-anthems-vol-4-487297.htm - sbwire

http://www.newmusicweekly.com/news2.php?a=9699 - new music weekly

I move my hips to the music - KLove radio and Univision

Vina del Mar representing the United States - A&E chilivision

Who’s Who at Viña: interview with Aleesha
Written by Ben Angel on March 1, 2011.
Aleesha at performing at the Viña del Mar festival

Aleesha at performing at the Viña del Mar festival

I Love Chile’s Valparaiso correspondent, Ben Angel, interviewed Aleesha, the United States’ entrant into the International Competition of the 52nd Viña del Mar music festival, along with her manager and writer of the song “Love’s a Boomerang”, Peter Roberts.

ILC: You listed the Beatles (early psychedelic music period) and Judy Garland as favorites on your website, but I hear more soulful influences in your music.

Aleesha: At age 13, I was given classical voice lessons, doing arias, and that changed my vocal range. In college, I got into blues, listening to artists like Ella Fitzgerald, and into genres I never naturally listened to like Pink Floyd or country music.

Music is not something I just consciously perform. Half the time I’m just singing without even thinking about it. Sometimes it can be annoying to people I am close to. But music has always been my passion. I’m never bored with it. I’m always interested in learning about new musical styles.

ILC: At age 5, what were your favorite acts? What records did your parents buy for you?

Aleesha: My parents didn’t buy me records of popular acts, but instead exposed me to opera, with artists such as Andrea Bocelli (Italian tenor, famous for his studio album “Sacred Arias”). When I was older – there used to be a record store where I lived called Wherehouse Music, and they used to have clearances on old albums. So I picked up on bands like The Mamas & The Papas and one-hit wonders from the 1960s and 1970s. I didn’t reach out into mainstream pop until I was in eighth grade, when friends introduced me to the music of Britney Spears. That was the first time I got into commercial pop.

ILC: And what about, say, at age 15? What music were you into?

Aleesha: In high school, I became heavily involved in sports – in soccer, I was actually scouted for the Olympics. I also had an acting part in the film “Bring It On” (listed as Alicia Michelle Sassano in the Internet Movie Database, cast as “Be Aggressive Girl”). In my sophomore year in high school, I had to withdraw from choir. I continued to take vocal lessons privately, but never really learned to read written music until college.

In college, I went through a lot of turmoil. It was a traumatic time in my life, and music saved me from the worst of these experiences and emotional hardships. If you are going to be a good musician, it’s unfair, but you must go through some bad experiences. How can you be soulful if you don’t go through some hardships?

ILC: You mention on your website that your grandfather Eugene Capuozzo is your biggest role model. How did your grandfather inspire your work as an artist?

Aleesha: My grandfather inspired my whole family. He woke everyone up with happy words: “Wake up, it’s a new day!” He never complained about anything. In any emotional crisis for me, he told me to be grateful for the things I have. He was always there for me. He always created warmth and love.

ILC: You also wrote on your website that you received a musical scholarship from Chapman University (a private university founded by the Christian Church – Disciples of Christ). Could you describe the criteria involved?

Aleesha: At the Hollywood Bowl, they held auditions. At the audition, you had to read music as well as have a good ear. For me it was like on Drumline, where the main character gets into the university and they find out he doesn’t read music. I trained with a lot of different singers, and my range in the morning is around a high F.

ILC: “Love’s a Boomerang” is a much different song from your other four works that you have on your website. It seemed more a high-energy song as opposed to a more sensual work. Would you use this song in performance again?

Aleesha: I think I performed the best I ever had with this song. The vocals were right on. I love the song. I think it’s soulful and I am a high-energy person.

I love soulful slow songs as you can show off your voice. But I also love high energy. In the United States, people love to get up and dance. “Love’s A Boomerang” is a very catchy, retro and fun song and I still think it was a great choice for this festival.

In general, my experience on stage at this Festival was priceless. Nobody else in the competition did a retro act. And part of the point of the Festival, as I understand it, is to introduce different things to the audience. There wasn’t another jazzy soulful retro song in the contest. If you love and appreciate music, you must love and appreciate it when a song is different.

ILC: Your second performance was rated lower than expected. Was there any answer why from the judges? And are there any lessons that you’ve learned from this competition?

Aleesha: I’m totally fine with my performance. I came here to do the best I cou - I Love Chile-Ben Angel