Posts tagged with "sad music"

Maria Becerra inside 360 Magazine.

SPOTLIGHT ON MARÍA BECERRA

María Becerra is a tour de force. The Argentinian songstress, known as “la nena de Argentina” released her second EP in 2021, embracing and experimenting with hip-hop, reggaeton, trap, R&B, salsa, and more to craft her new sound. Described as a “leading voice in Argentina’s urban pop movement,” Becerra is a star on the rise. As the first Latin artist signed to indie American record label 300 Entertainment and with a Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist pending, it is clear despite her successes already, she is only just beginning. She sat down to answer a few questions for 360 Magazine including how she got her start in music, the story behind her nickname, her influences, and what to expect from her in 2022.

How would you describe your style of music?

I believe I have a very melodic and versatile musical style. In the studio, we always try to ensure that each song has a varied melodic line, with different degrees of nuances. Above all, we aspire to make a melody that sounds familiar and enjoyable to the public. I have experimented with several genres and in all of them, I was able to find how to make my own style fit within them. I hear they call me ‘the Queen of Weeping,” which makes me laugh. I have many songs that are for dogging and dancing, and others that are a bit sadder.

How did you first become interested in creating music?

From a very young age, art was important to me; I learned how to sing, act and dance as a child. In my home, we listened to a lot of music. For a while, I did covers of famous songs as I learned. I think I was absorbing different music and styles to the point where I felt the need to start expressing myself with my own works. Despite this desire, I was not 100% confident in my abilities yet and had many insecurities. I was afraid of how the public would receive my music and doubted if this was my true path. Luckily, things turned out in a positive way. Today, I have no doubts that yes, I was born to create music and it brings me a lot of joy.

Which songs are you most proud of?

Mm, they are all special to me and fill me with pride. It is difficult for me to pick just one. If I had to choose one, my first instinct is to say Ademas De Mi or Mi Debilidad, that song is very significant to me as an artist. I cried a lot while making it and recording the video.

You were a Youtuber before becoming a singer. How was the experience of transitioning from an influencer to an artist?

YouTube was a beautiful experience, and I am grateful that the opportunity was a positive one. The change in my life was progressive over time. Being on YouTube allowed me the chance for people to get to know me, while I gained confidence and worked on my own fears as a public person. Obviously, my life and my career are now on another path but having the experience of being a YouTuber served as the foundation for everything that has gone on to happen in my life.

What is your favorite fan moment?

My favorite moments are when my fans tell me everything in my music speaks to them. It’s amazing how something I pour so much love into in the studio can reach so many people and positively influence their lives. In live concerts, we would raise up different fans to speak with them, and at one performance a girl told us that with my song ‘Tell Me How I Do,’ she declared her love to her girlfriend. I found it beautiful. Those moments fill me with incredible happiness.

Maria Becerra by Christian Garfa 2

How does it feel to have reached this level of popularity so young?

It still doesn’t feel real. It is incredible to me, but I just try and take things one day at a time. I try to appreciate the small things and remain the humble girl I’ve always been because that’s still who I am. I surround myself a lot with my friends, my family, and my pets who are my rocks – they remind me of where I come from and who I am.

Why do you refer to yourself as the Girl from Argentina?

In general, it is known that many of the best discoveries occur accidentally, and this was no exception. When we recorded Animal with Cazzu, in the song’s lyrics I sing “Las Nenas de Argentina,” as if referring to the two of us. Apparently, when people listened, they heard “La nena de Argentina” and everyone loved that I referred to myself that way. From there, I started to use it as my brand, and I feel it gives me a special power for communicating to the world my music and I are made and from Argentina.

Who are your influences?

Wow, so many artists! I especially love and admire Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. They are very important role models to me. I watch their shows and videos a lot.

How did it feel to join a label as prestigious as 300 Entertainment?

I am honored and very happy to work with them. They have always been supportive, even affectionate, towards me. Unfortunately, their office is in Los Angeles, so we don’t have the opportunity to see each other that often, but when we do it’s always a special moment. I know the whole team at 300 takes care of me and wants the best for me, so I respect them and thank them very much.

Your most recent EP blended many different genres. Which genres would you like to experiment with in the future?

I like Bachata, and I think more songs like this are coming from me. Yet as I said before, I don’t want to pigeonhole myself. I love to experiment with different genres and different sounds, and that is what is important to me as I create music today. So, in 2022 you and all my fans can be surprised with what I come out with next.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I feel like 2022 is going to be a great year. My team and I are working hard to make it so. I’m locked in the studio, and many of the songs we are currently working on are tremendous. I am already anxious for people to listen to them. This year, a new album is coming, as well as trips and several shows in Argentina and Europe. We hope to reach many places and have everyone dance and sing to my music.

Maria Becerra inside 360 Magazine 3

Photos: Christian Garfa

Casey McQuillen via PLA Media for use by 360 Magazine

Interview with Casey McQuillen

By: Skyler Johnson

Since American Idol’s first inception in 2002, no one could have guessed how popular the show would be and how many new musicians would gain popularity through the years, including Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Hudson. Casey McQuillen performed on the show in season 13 and became a top 48 musician. Since then she’s done an anti-bullying concert series, and was interviewed by Kelly Clarkson, as well as released a lot of great music. I had the pleasure of interviewing McQuillen on her life and career up to this point.  

  1. How did you first get into music? 

I started writing music from a really young age!  It was when I learned to play some guitar around the age of 12, though, that I started performing and posting my music on the internet.  Since then, I’ve been lucky to have an amazing relationship with my audience, and many of my fans have been following my music for close to 15 years.

2. What, do you feel, is your biggest success as a singer/songwriter?

As a singer/songwriter, I think my biggest success has been writing about really difficult topics and conveying them on stage in a way that makes audiences feel connected and understood.  I wrote my song “Beautiful” at 17 about the pressures of conforming to beauty standards, and the response I’ve received from audiences all across the country inspired me to continue to be painfully honest in my writing.  The title track on my upcoming album “Can A Heart Go Bad?” addresses very personal and painful mental health issues, and though I’m a bit scared to share it the world, I’m confident my vulnerability will allow for a deeper connection with the listening audience.

3. Who are your biggest influences and why?

I would say Taylor Swift is my biggest songwriting influence because I’ve been listening to her music at every step of my career.  Other artists I feel very inspired by include Colbie Caillat, Kate Voegele (whom I had the honor of opening for), and Adele. All of these women write beautiful, complex stories into their songs, and I try to emulate that.

4. How important was it for you to campaign for anti-bullying?

I was picked on a ‘normal’ amount as a kid, but it was through self-reflection in songwriting years later that I realized how deeply I’d internalized a lot of the insecurities I’d developed in middle & high school, and how long those issues had continue to stick around in the back of my psyche.  Somewhere in my heart, I assumed the kids saying and doing mean things to me must be right, or why else would they treat me so badly?  In my anti-bullying concert series, I tell my story and sing the songs I wrote about growing up in that environment.  With perspective, we’re able to discuss that bullies bully because they’re insecure, not because there’s anything wrong with you.  And through these examples, I hope to help curb the cycle of internalized insecurity for the next generation.

5. What made you want to campaign for anti-bullying? 

It would have meant a lot to me as a young student to have a role model at school. I think I would have felt a lot less alone knowing that someone I looked up to had had similar experiences to me and made it out on the other side.  I want to be that person for these kids.

6. How was your experience performing on American Idol?

American Idol was great practice in performing under pressure.  I’ve found that my career cycles in these long preparation periods with my team, all culminating in big, high-pressure performances or interviews.  Being exposed to such high-stakes performances at such a young age on American Idol gave me a lot of confidence in my ability to be myself and have fun during those moments.

7. Was it odd seeing yourself on camera? 

I’ve been on camera most of my life, so I’m pretty used to it.  I started posting on YouTube and developing a following at a pretty young age, so it wasn’t that odd.  However, Idol was definitely the first time I’d ever been exposed to stage lighting and cameras, which are so bright and intimidating.  Before my Idol audition, they had me wait in this little box with a red light, and when it turned green, I opened the door and walked out onto the audition stage.  So, I truly hadn’t seen the lights until the moment the cameras were on me.  It definitely threw me for a loop!

8. How was being on The Kelly Clarkson Show, what was that experience like?

Honestly, it was one of the most surreal moments of my life.  It was very nerve-wracking, but Kelly Clarkson is the sweetest person and had even left me a hand written note in my dressing room welcoming me to the show and thanking me for my work in the community.  Small details like that really helped me feel at ease before the show, and she’s so friendly and funny that I felt like the interview was a breeze.  It was probably my favorite experience so far in my career.

9. Are you excited to go on tour?

I am PUMPED!  I was having so much fun touring with artists like Eric Hutchinson and Tyler Hilton before the pandemic, and it was so disappointing to have to cancel so many shows and stay off stage for so long.  But we are BACK baby, and I feel so honored to be hitting the road with the talented Clark Beckham this fall.  Come see us!

10. Are there any upcoming projects you’re allowed to tell us about?

My album “Can a Heart Go Bad?” will be coming out soon, so make sure to follow me on Apple Music and Spotify to stay up to date with all my releases.  I’m really proud of the album and I hope everyone will have a chance to hear it!