Arielle Perez is an aspiring recording artist, singer, songwriter, model, dancer, pianist and student-athlete from Ontario, Canada.
Interview conducted on December 25, 2020
By Dan Locke
About the EP ‘Fourteen’“Fourteen” is Arielle Perez’s very first EP containing her 5 original songs. The original songs are all about everything she’s learned in the 14 years of her life, when push comes to shove, she’ll always keep going no matter what. In her EP, she talks about some of the struggles she and her relatives have gone through but she always continues to strive for greatness in her life.”======Beyond Your Tears
You are from Canada. What is your upbringing?
I want to showcase my talent to the world through singing, songwriting and performing.
How did you discover music?
I discovered it when I was very little. My dad’s side of the family is all musicians especially my grandfather and his siblings. I was really eager to learn how to sing and play the piano and that has influenced and inspired me to continue music up until today.
How did you start to write music?
I started writing music by something that happened to me in my life that I will never forget. I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about how I felt so I decided to write a story but in song form. Since then, it has become my happy place where I express myself.
Describe your music.
I would say my music genre is pop and R&B. I want my music to be the kind of music you listen to when you get up in the morning feeling good about yourself to the point when you’re having a bad day and feeling down. Listening to music is very relaxing and helps you escape from reality.
What was your first performance at like?
My first real performance was when I was only 7 years old at the Little Miss Philippines Canada 2014 Pageant and my talent for this pageant was singing and playing the piano. It was such an amazing experience that I’ll never forget because I actually won the title of Little Miss Philippines Canada 2014 along with 6 major awards and 1 of them was Best In Talent.
What makes a good songwriter?
In my opinion, I think a good songwriter speaks from their heart and is creative with strong communication skills so they can connect with their audience.
How did you get into Juno Nominated all girl group Girl Pow-R?
There were auditions being held by Canyon Entertainment and I knew that this was a great opportunity to showcase what I love doing which is singing, dancing, playing piano, and performing but also make lifelong friends which are the girls in the group.
Tell me about “Thanks to You”?
“Thanks To You” is actually a remix to our original song “This Is Us” and it’s about thanking the frontline workers for putting their lives at risk to protect and we’re so grateful for them.
Do you belong to any songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I am a member of BMI.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first original song is titled “Without You” and I recorded it at Cleveland Sound Lab Recording Studio. It’s available on all streaming platforms right now.
You have been in music contests such as World Championship of Performing Arts, Peel Music Fest, and Tiny Talent. Do you feel that this is a good route for a singer to try?
I feel like this is a great route for a singer to try because not only are you trying something new, but this will definitely boost your self-esteem and confidence on stage! Even if you don’t win, there’s always something up ahead for you.
Are you ready for Canada Got Talent yet?
Hahaha, yes, I am ready!
Tell me about your first EP “Fourteen”.
Fourteen is about everything I’ve learnt in the 14 years of my life, when push comes to shove, I will always keep going no matter what. In my EP, I talk about some of the struggles my relatives and I have gone through but I will always continue to strive for greatness in my life.
Tell me about your single “Find the Way”. And how is it helping the Gasang Elementary school in the Philippines?
My single, Find The Way is a song about how I am an advocate for anti-bullying. I want to teach others to just be themselves and to stand up against bullies. I want them to know their worth! I’m so happy that Find The Way is helping Gasang Elementary School in the Philippines because I am actually selling Find The Way masks and 100% of the proceeds are going to the school to help hundreds of students.
Tell me about “Without You”
Without You is about my late grandfather that passed away a few years ago and it really had an impact on me so I wanted to dedicate this song to him.
What is your favorite track on the album?
I really love all of them since they all are going for a different interpretation but my favourites would be Fourteen and Broken Pieces. Fourteen because this song is about my personal experiences as a teenager but also about how teenagers feel in general since I know that lots of teens have low self-esteem and I want them to know there’s so much ahead of them and to reach for their dreams! I love Broken Pieces as well because this song is the type of song that resonates with most people since it’s about heartbreak and the tune of the song just makes me want to cry.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
To stay healthy while performing, I would say eating healthy is a big role in staying healthy especially if you dance because you have to keep the stamina and energy up. Also drinking water will help to keep you hydrated and for singers, it prevents you from having a dry throat when you sing! Overall, practice like you are actually performing so you get a feel of what you will feel like on stage and there’s nothing unusual happening (Ex. tiredness)
What are you feeling about streaming music?
I think streaming music is a great way to listen to many artists through your phone, tablet, etc. It’s also a big help to artists like me by streaming and downloading songs from them!
How can people forget about the origin hashtag # Sharp in a musical score?
Nowadays, # is used as a hashtag on social media which can influence the way people recognized it but I’m sure lots of people still know that # is sharp in a musical score.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I feel like digital is better than vinyl because digital, you can listen to music in many places such as the car, your computer, your console and more and nowadays, technology is becoming more accessible. For vinyl, you can only listen to music through a record player.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys is a very memorable song to me because I sang this song at my biggest performance yet which was the Angeline K’to Concert in Toronto. It was a concert for 2 of the biggest celebrities in the Philippines, Angeline Quinto and K Brosas and it was an experience of a lifetime to perform as their front act.
Both Pfizer and BioNTech have concluded Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the vaccine, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?
In my opinion, I think the majority of the people will take the vaccine. They did the research to prove the vaccine is safe for us to take though some people are still skeptical in taking the vaccine because they are scared that something could go wrong caused by the side effects.
How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
I think before everyone gets vaccinated, it will take a few years due to the supply of vaccines and lack of resources. As of right now, there’s another strain of coronavirus found in the UK.
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
For sure, COVID-19 will affect the music business negatively because since everyone needs to practice social distancing, there will be no more in-person concerts, shows, tours, etc. Though, it can be a good opportunity to create more music and gather a bigger fanbase online.
How did you get involved with “Stronger Than Yesterday, The First Social Distance Flash Mob”?
I was involved in the Stronger Than Yesterday, The First Social Distancing Flash Mob since I am a member of the Juno-nominated girl group, Girl Pow-R. Our group got invited to join the flash mob which was an amazing opportunity for us.
How has the lockdown affected your school?
The lockdown has really affected my school and learning, I am currently doing in-person class but I had to adjust to wearing my mask all day and sometimes, going online. I decided to do in-person learning because at home, there tend to be lots of distractions around me and I lose focus.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
In quarantine, I have been keeping myself busy by writing more songs and practicing my singing. I have learned how to bake during quarantine and it’s really fun since I do it with my family at home. Also, quarantine has given me lots of relaxing time so I like to watch movies and talk to my friends virtually to stay updated. Since we can’t see each other in person, we like to play online games together.
How was it to performed at the KidNetix Christmas Drive-Thru like?
Performing at the KidNetix Christmas Drive-Thru was really enjoyable seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces while they were driving by receiving presents from Santa. I felt really good to be part of this because I was given a chance to help the children in need especially during this time of the year.
How was the Holiday Virtual Festival?
The holiday virtual festival I recently performed at was “Paskong Pinoy” and it was such a great opportunity to perform for many Filipinos online! It was also nice to reconnect with my Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (PCCF) family again.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I have discovered playing a new sport which is volleyball. Before COVID, I actually was one of the players on the starting lineup for my school’s volleyball and we placed 2nd in our tournament! From there, playing volleyball became another hobby of mine. I also learned to bake during quarantine, it’s really enjoyable and fun when I bake with my siblings.
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?
I would say Netflix is my favourite streaming channel. Me and my family enjoy watching new releases of programs and movies especially since now, we’re in lockdown again.
With the streaming services (Disney (50+ new shows/movies Lizzie McGuire, The Sandlot, Beauty and the Beast prequel, Moana, Cars, Soul, Raya and the Last Dragon, Sister Act 3, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Wendy, all future Star Wars and Marvel movies and shows) and HOB Max ( including Wonder Woman 2, Godzilla vs Kong, Top Gun: Maverick, Mortal Kombat, Tom and Jerry, The Many Saints of Newark, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, In the Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Dune, The Matrix 4) planning to pull all the upcoming movies from next year and put them on their streaming service. How will that affect the entertainment industry?
One thing you have to remember also most of these movies are already in the can ready to be released. And the original agreement was for the movies to come out at the theater first. The actors and crew make most of their money from the residuals (financial compensations that are paid to the actors, film directors and others involved (including music) in the making of the movie in cases of reruns, syndication, DVD release, and online streaming release).
This will draw competition between the two streaming services if they end up pulling all the upcoming movies to their streaming service. People will either watch these movies on Disney or HBO max which will decrease or increase their streams on their service.
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?
This will change the landscape of Facebook because Facebook is preventing the use of copyrighted songs, so it will decrease the number of livestreams on Facebook if people aren’t able to use copyrighted songs as background music, performances, and such.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Bands can still play in front of their fans through online shows on YouTube live, zoom meetings, etc. Also, they can make an online shop for fans to buy their merchandise and ship it to them!
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Yes, people still use pay to play nowadays especially since there’s streaming music on music platforms where they can play songs in playlists by buying/downloading them.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Holographic concerts are really cool and it’s a good way for fans to feel like they are watching the artist live but actually, from a distance.
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I would definitely want to become a model because I’ve actually been modeling since I was 7 years old and when I’m on the runway, I express myself just like I do in performing.
What is your happy place?
My happy place is when I’m by myself alone, in my room writing songs. It calms me down and it’s a great way to let my emotions out by doing something I love, which is songwriting and singing.
How did you become an ambassador for Green Glasses? Was it because you are with MH Productions?
One of the recruiters at Greek Glasses approached me and told me that I will be perfect as an ambassador since I match all their criteria and I’m really grateful for that opportunity. MH Productions specifically focuses on the entertainment industry in the Filipino community.
How is Tik Tok going for you?
TikTok is going good, I continue to post a few videos every week and you can also see me featured on the Girl Pow-R TikTok account @girlpowrband.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I would like to say thank you so much to all my family and friends for their love and support, especially my mom and dad. Thank you so much to my amazing producer and manager, Jan Jansen of BluePurple Records for all your hard work and dedication towards my music. Thank you for always believing in me, I’ve learned so much from you! Thank you also to James Nickle of Cleveland Sound Lab. You are one of the coolest producers I know! You make everything really fun whenever we work together. Thank you to MH Productions/MH Family for your continued support. If you are interested in singing, dancing, modeling, or acting, DM them on Instagram @MarkyHughProductions_.
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