Today we’d like to introduce you to Amira Soleil.
Hi Amira, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a Mexican American recording artist based in Atlanta, GA. I am a classically trained pianist who crossed over into commercial music in 2016 after taking a break from my piano degree. I started out helping producers make beats in their home studios in my hometown of El Paso, TX. I was fortunate enough to have to mentors who took me under their wing and showed me the ropes of the industry which lead me to moved to the tri-state area. My mentor was in NYC, I traveled to NYC for work such as session/working keyboardist for various artists in-studio sessions and alternative cabaret shows in NYC.
I use my skillset and classical training to subistitute teaching piano in Atlanta and I have every intention of opening up my own piano studio.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a walk in the park. In October of 2016, I was sexually assaulted by a music producer I was working with. This was the very early stages of me experiencing the industry. Coming from a classical and conservative Southern Baptist background, I was very green and trusted the wrong the people. I grew up in the church and I truly believe everyone was good since people of a church community usually show kindness and are easy to trust. Being a woman in the industry is difficult at times. It was hard to be taken seriously. Various engineers wouldn’t send my files or they wouldn’t be thorough in the process. The constant harassment and sexual misconduct was a recurring theme for me.
As I have gotten older I’ve learned how to read a room and know what is safe and unsafe.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an artist who creates Avant-garde/Alrernative R&B music. I incorporate some classical elements and enjoy blending genres to create specific mood and color. I have synesthesia and I see color with sound. My synesthesia is also a huge part of my creative process. I get to paint. Moving to Atlanta has been the best decision I’ve made because I’ve met my music soulmate who is my music producer. We are able to dig deep and create worlds that I didn’t know existed in me. I found my sound. I’m most proud of my music catalog that I have worked hard to build over the past two years. There is so much content and I own all the rights to it. What sets me apart is that I march to my own drum. I don’t follow what is trending or hot right now in the music scene. My music doesn’t have a time stamp on it and I can release it at any time and it will still be relevant. I create art.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I give my resilience the most credit. To be strong-minded and to keep going despite what life throws your way is so important. There have been many so times I wanted to quit because of all the negative experiences and how much of a monster the music industry is but I still pick myself up and I keep going and I keep creating.
Contact Info:
- Email: amirasoleilofficial@gmail.com
- Instagram: @amirasoleil_
