Amara Riva

Amara Riva.

Interview conducted on October 26, 2020
By Dan Locke

What is your upbringing?

I have had a very blessed upbringing, that I go to bed grateful for every single night. Saying that, through this comfortable and secure upbringing, there has been a lot of dysfunction within my family, lies, deceit, arguments, divorce, and events that have left me with deep-rooted issues that have come to the surface over the last few years. On the bright side, the events that have occurred have made me strong, compassionate, and transparent; qualities I am proud to have. 

How did you discover music?

I can’t say I discovered music; I feel like it’s always been in me since I was young. 

How big are the Beatles to you?

the Beatles are huge to me, the writing, the melodies, they are so classic, and I will forever be a Beatles fan.

How did you start to write music?

I used to love the rhyming, I would constantly be rhyming word afterword, I guess from there it led me to create little jingles in my head, which eventually as I got older, evolved into proper songs. 

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

My mum bought me my first guitar as a present, I don’t have it anymore, I gave it away. 

What is the year, make, and model of your favorite guitar now? And does it have a name?

My favourite guitar I have is my electric guitar- its purple with swallows, it is a Custom Paul Reed Smith SE, and I named it Rosa. 

What is your vocal range?

I’d say I am an alto/soprano

What was your first performance like?

it was terrible, I used to have severe stage fright- sometimes I still do; anyways, I sang one word and then ran off stage crying. lol, but it didn’t stop me, I tried again.

Define your music?

I’d say it is pop, with elements of jazz In the chords used and harmonies.

What makes a good songwriter?

sincerity 

How were you discovered?

through my Instagram!

Is one of your originals called “Let it Fly”?

No, I did a re-invented cover on Instagram of lil Waynes song let it fly.

You’re working with NYC based international label Bentley Records. How has this experience been?

so far great. 

How do you stay healthy while performing?

Never smoke, always stay hydrated and steam my throat 3 times a week!

 
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

I think it’s great to be able to have portable music on the go. 

Digital vs. vinyl?

I could never choose. Both are great 

A dog is a Woman’s best friend. What is your dog’s name?

Riva; I selfishly named her after my middle name. She’s the love of my life, alongside music 

Are you helping Gadzhi with product placement marketing, to sell product?

Yes! and with the designing and concept 🙂

Do you think kids should go back to school?

Yes, for their mental health, for their parent’s sake, and financially too.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G, it is one of the best songs in the world in my opinion, to me it means freedom and to just be awesome.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

learning to enjoy the present.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

drawing! I love love love drawing 

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel? 

Netflix

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only. 
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?

I think it’s very limiting for Facebook to do that. Facebook is a huge platform, and I feel like artists should be able to use that to their advantage to spread their work, I believe people will slowly stop using Facebook.

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show? 

Post tons and tons of content on their social media, to keep their fans engaged. 

Is pay to play still a thing?

Yes, I would still pay to see my favourite artist sing live.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

I think that would be almost as exciting as Christmas 

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing? 

I would love to be a tv personality and have my own talk show. 

What is the different between colors of summer and colors of winter?

in my eyes there is no difference, the cold colours of winter are just as beautiful as the warm colours of summer 

Anything you would like to say in closing.

that the best advice I ever received is ” go into the world and be good, but most importantly; do good” meaning, be kind, give back, and always have an open heart.

Only can be found on Instagram