A passionate emotional songwriter at the heart, Mariana Risquez is as stunningly beautiful as her soulful voice. Through her heart-wrenching ballads and thoughtful lyrics, she has a gift to stir up your soul and transport you into a world of emotions. She began her career at a very ripe age of 15 performing at various clubs and festivals and since then there is no stopping to her immense talent. She is the voice of Venezuela and a shining beacon in the world of Latin Soul music. She finds her inspiration in artists like Sheryl Crow, The Beatles, Alejandro Sanz, Juan Luis Guerra, Las Migas and Julieta Venegas. She expertly blends her soulful ballads with Latin jazz, Latin rock, tropical and Venezuelan music. When she is not singing she uses her creative juices to paint and exhibit her artistic expressions to the world. A woman with strong vibes, Mariana Risquez is ready to set the stage on fire with her heartwarming melodies and her bold brushstrokes.
@FarandulaMag: How did you start your career in the music industry?
MR: My career began when I was 15 years old, becoming a performer for the city of Caracas, its bands, its casinos, its restaurants, its clubs, its festivals. Then when I came of age I could make other decisions, such as studying, auditioning in programs of great fame and leadership on Venezuelan TV. Contests and reality shows, participate in festivals and academies.
Everything in the entertainment industry develops fast, begins and ends quickly, so were my experiences, and from them, I got the joy of knowing and interacting positively and professionally with those who are still my producers, colleagues, friends and teachers in the music.
@FarandulaMag: How would you describe your style of music?
MR: Today the Latin Soul that I bring, I present them with musical fusions multigenero.
It combines genuine union between the genres in more write, folk ballad, pop rock and Latin pop, Son, bolero cha-cha, cumbia, Latin jazz, afro venezolano music, I also write trova, tonada, boogaloo, soul and blues.
My music is free, to fall in love, to get excited, to feel intensely, to dance, to enjoy, to get away from reality for a while, and it is also the music of union and hope. It’s a dreamer’s music for all those who like me … do not give up!
@FarandulaMag: Do you write your own music? What inspires you the most to write a song?
MR: I write since I was little. It inspires me to understand what surrounds me and myself.
I am inspired by the release of my emotions, Love, unloving, impossible, forgiveness, betrayal, loneliness, confusion, eternity, faith, god, past, and guilt. I write autobiographical songs are very intense and make me feel free. I write about what I believe and how I see the world, about how others see the circumstances, in my opinion, “everything looks so different from a different perspective”. As I grew up entertaining, I love to see and listen to people, their expressions, their moments, I love to see them dance and see that makes them happy. I write it all.
@FarandulaMag: Which musicians and composers have been the greatest influences? What are your favorite albums?
MR: That I have to think, because I have been constantly surrounded by so many influences, maybe my more goes by stages, to listen and study. Thinking of my way of expressing … I feel that I have influences of Franco de Vita, Fernando Osorio, José Ignacio (Chuo), Simón Diaz. Javier Solis, Serenata Guayabera, Hugo Blanco, Juan Luis Guerra, Soraya, Agustín Lara, María Grever, La Lupe, Ilan Chester, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Lamarque Libertad, Mercedes Sosa, Cheo Feliciano, Silvio Rodríguez. In Spanish and Italian music I love Rosana, Sabina, Manolo García, Serrat, Alejandro Sanz, Gianluca Grignani, Laura Pausini, and Vasco Rossi. I also love American artists. I grew up with the Beatles, ABBA, Genesis, Pete Gabriel, John, Carpenters, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Patsy Cline, Sheryl Crow and Celine Dion have all been inspiring and influential.
@FarandulaMag: What are your plans and hopes for the future with respect to your music?
MR: To return to the stage and carry the messages to all, make my audience dance, merge the genres you mentioned above, take them to the crowds, sing and sing hits from other times. To interpret other authors’ themes I’m passionate about, I would like to make known my music inspired by our Venezuelan experiences and rhythms, and bring it to the world. Launch my CD DVD after a good job of post-production, mixing and mastering. These shots are next to being recorded on March 4 at the concert in Troy. Also, in my immediate plans is to make several publications and appearances in which to continue developing my Artenitta Company and produce and promote my expressions and artistic expressions around the world.
Rotate in tours, participate in festivals q allow me to have many ears attentive … sing; enjoy the art of other colleagues. Bring our Flag of Pride and Latin Peace High! Promote the union of voices in favor of those who need us the most on the planet. I plan to put everyone to express themselves, to enjoy, giving them good concerts and dance a lot. (Laughs)
For more information about her concerts and tours visit >>www.marianarisquez.com/
Credits
photo credits: Carlos Cabrera
Mariana is the winner of the composition contest to the best Beijing Olympics song. She is a recording vocalist and on tour back up singer for Mulato, Chino y Nacho, Diveana, Kiara, Maria Cruz. Opening Act for Shakira’s concert in Venezuela.
Risquez will be performing live at the NextWave Media Lab next to Eddie Caraballo (bass guitar), Pepe Espinosa (drums), Alfonso Reina (percussions), Luis Resto (keys) Steve Jarosz (guitar), Mark Byerly (trumpet), Matt Martinez (trombone), James Hughes (Saxophone), Bobby Guzman (vocals), Doris Perez (vocals).
This event is sponsored by Mexican Town Bakery, PowerLife and Latinos Network a Artenitta LLC production
