New Single Release
Pop music artist Wendy Starland has a new single release coming out called “Love Will Come To You” on dPulse/Universal records - with 4 remixes!
She is a super multi-talented pop singer and you can check out more about her at www.wendystarland.com and www.myspace.com/wendystarland.
Hot New Music
She has a hot new music sound called “world pop” that subtly combines a bunch of international styles with great songs and a stunning voice.
Wendy’s huge previous single “Dancing With The Sea” on Universal Records went to #8 on the Billboard Charts, and the video is played on MTV and VH1, so watch out for this new track which is sure to hit the charts!
She is also a fashion diva sponsored by Donna Karan and Deesh. She has been a model in mags like Teen Vogue, Teen People and Cosmo Girl.
More About Pop Music Artist Wendy Starland
You can learn allot more about Wendy on her Website, but here are a few really cool highlights of her work on the charts and on TV…
Moby’s CD “Last Night”, which was #1 on the Billboard Charts, featured Wendy as the lead singer on the song “I’m In Love.” Wendy was was also recently a singer on Donald Trump’s show The Apprentice where she did an introduction with the song “Amazing Grace”.
VH1 says that Wendy is the Best Emerging Artist - she won their big national Step Up And Rock Contest! She also was the Independent Music Award for “Best Song” for a track that was also played MTV’s series, “The Hills.” Her song Garden Of Temptation was aired on ABC’s Regis & Kelly and 2 NBC’s shows Las Vegas & Hawaii.
Artist Interview
I was lucky enough to connect with Wendy and she agreed to take time out of her very busy schedule to tell us more about herself. I love her answers to these questions, so I hope you take the time to check this interview out!…
How did you first start developing your musical skill, were you influenced by your environment growing up and did you start on an instrument or as a singer?
I grew up learning how to sing from my babysitter, Rosetta Attkins, who is like a second mother to me. She literally took me home from the hospital and had me singing as soon as I could speak. She’s a gospel singer from down south and taught me everything I know. She would teach me vocal techniques that helped me develop my voice into what it is today.
I began playing the piano at an early age and started writing songs at age 7. My father has always been a classical music buff and I was inundated with it. Many of those melodies have greatly influenced my music.
Then what made you first realize that you are an artist and when was that? What made you commit to it?
Since I was always singing as a child, people commented early on that I had a natural talent and recommended to my parents that I turn it into a profession.
It was in my blood from the start and I’ve always used it to channel my emotions and experiences. Committing to it has always felt like a necessity in order to be happy.
Who do you look up to as a role model that is not in the arts and why? More than one person would be great to know about.
I look up to Oprah Winfrey. She has beat all of the odds and come out on top. She grew up with many disadvantages: poor, abused, African- American, a woman, and never relied on anything but her business savvy and creativity to become the giant she is today. Most female figures use their sexuality to get ahead or posses a masculine attitude in order to become powerful in society - but not Oprah. She’s not pretentious, yet her opinions literally effect the economy. She provides therapy and good ethics on a mass scale. She is an example of what it means to be great leader.
What performer are you awestruck by? Not influenced by, the definition of awestruck is “having or showing a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder and dread”?
I am usually influenced by the people I’m awestruck by, so I would have to say Sting. He makes original music and does it with elegance and finesse. It is technically difficult and complex, yet the compositions seem effortless. His voice and feel are mind blowing.
From reading your biography I can tell that you have an outstanding work ethic that goes far beyond a love for music - what experiences in your life formed that in you? So now what is your secret to success?
I was born and raised in New York City. It is the city of ambition. I was exposed to powerful people and experiences that were exciting and allowed me to believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I think keeping that mindset is crucial and necessary to become successful in any industry.
What was the last book or film that made you really made you think. What did it make you think about?
Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. What an amazing book! Genius. It made me think about a million things, particularly what it means to be original. To be truly unique and original one will always face many more obstacles and have to fight for what they believe in. Its a battle worth fighting.
Many of the artists today are so cookie cutter. There are so few musical heroes to look up to. And the few that do exist get overshadowed by the inundation of this very inauthentic, saccharine music that has no longevity. I believe that the cream rises to the top. I’m looking forward to seeing the new wave of talent that emerges in the next few years.
Is creating music really important in the big picture or is it simply entertainment? Why?
Creating music is essential for me. Its my diary set to music. It gives me a safe place to put all of my thoughts, feelings and opinions. It cleanses me and I’m eternally grateful for it. I love having a soundtrack to my life that brings me back to each experience and reminds me of what I’ve learned along the way.
Through which venue is the expression of music most complete for you? Performing, recording, singing alone on the beach, etc.? Why do you think that is?
Its all extremely important to me, but I’d have to say that songwriting is the most important to me. You can have the best singer in the world, but if he or she isn’t singing a great song, it won’t be a hit. However, a great song with a mediocre singer will be a hit. There are a million examples of this. Its all about the power of the song.
Do you have a primary instrument that you write songs on initially? In addition to that what instruments do you perform on your tracks, which do you hire players for and do you use loops and samples for drums or other elements or your recordings?
My primary instrument to compose on is the piano. However, I really enjoy producing and use my studio setup to put down my ideas in a broader way. I usually hear the finished product in my head as soon as the song is written, so I always try to put down those main elements.
I use several different players to help execute my vision for all of the parts. They are some of the best musicians in the world: Sean Harkness, Vivek Maddala, Freddie Simpson, Rich Mercurio, Jack Livesey, Pete Romano, Oz Noy, Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin, Arturo O’Farrill, Premik Tubbs, etc. I am so blessed to be able to work with the best of the best and have a mutually fulfilling, creative exchange. Its what I live for!
If you think about what you have been expressing in your lyrics, songs and compositions all these years, could you sum up the most important thing you really want to say to the world?
Believe in yourself. Stay true to who you are. Remember your strength.
