Artist of the Week: ROXINY

Artist of the Week: ROXINY

ROXINY

2NDSTREET: Tell us about you. Where are you from? Where are you now?

ROXINY: My name is Roxiny. I am a singer/songwriter/producer based out of NYC. I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Spain, Italy, & Panama primarily. I moved to NYC after being signed to Sony a few years ago. Right now I'm doing everything independently through my own label, Revoluna. It's been an incredible experience doing everything from the ground up as a solo artist with a collective of incredibly talented and creative people I love.

2NDSTREET: In one word, describe your music.

ROXINY: Fearless

2NDSTREET: What inspires you?

ROXINY: I'm inspired by my senses, the energy surrounding me, love, magic, nature, my experiences, intuition, symbols, signs, the visuals and messages that come from my dreams, feelings, my connection to the universe, mysticism, and spiritualism. When I write, I'm a lot more effective when I let the visuals rule my imagination. If I can see the song playing out in my head, I know I can find a way to describe what I am seeing. Writing music is my form of magic and invocation.

2NDSTREET: Who is your favorite musician living or passed on? Why?

ROXINY: I have many favorites...living favorite I would have to say Karin Dreijer Andersson of Fever Ray. I love her lyrical approach and femininity.
Dead- Bob Marley for his positive impact on humanity. This was tough....I can think of an entire list of favorites.

2ND STREET: Name a song you wish you’d written.

ROXINY: "I'm Not Done" by Fever Ray

2ND STREET:  Complete this sentence: The best album I've ever heard, hands down is ________________.

ROXINY: - Violator

2ND STREET: Tell us about your current projects. 

ROXINY: I just released my first single, Belong, which was the first song I ever produced. "Belong" marked the beginning of a new creative cycle for me. I started really experimenting with palo beats native to my country, and really listening to the sounds that make me. I'm loving every single moment of it. We are releasing my first EP, Qoya in the spring. It's a collection of songs that followed Belong...all recorded during the 9 of Cups Sessions in my home studio with my co-producers, Shan Nicholson and Lawrence Gordon. Each one is very personal to me. "Belong" speaks to the idea of possession, wants & desires, how we evolve, and my own personal journey. My next single- "Cheree" is a love song and an ode to NYC. I love this city...I'm feeling my dreams into existence daily within it. "Cheree" tells the story of one of the best nights of my life, the song that made the night, and the love that followed.

2ND STREET: How can you be contacted?

ROXINY: FACEBOOK: /RoxinyUniverse

TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/Roxiny

WEBSITE: www.Roxiny.com

YOUTUBE: www.YouTube.com/Roxiny23

f you are interested in being featured on the 2nd Street blog, contact us at: 2ndstreetmag@gmail.com

The Soulful Art of AmW - Artist Interview

This week's Artist of the Week is the soulful, AmW of Estetika Exposure!! Check her out!!

AmW

"I've managed to shock myself."

2ND STREET: Tell us about you. Where are you from? Where are you now?

AmW : Born and raised in New England, artist AmW (born Alicia M. Walter) began her journey in Springfield Massachusetts. It was in 2001, at the age of 22, when Artist AmW gave her first try at being an artist. However, lacking the confidence she needed within herself, AmW walked away from her art. It wasn’t until 2011, with the support of her husband, family and small circle of close friends that she picked up a paint brush and was able to give her craft another try.

Now residing in Upstate New York, AmW started her business, Estetika Exposure: Art by AmW. The business name was inspired by one of her close friends. 

Estetika means ‘beautiful’ in the Indonesian language, as well as in the Latin language. Estetika Exposure: Art by AmW. “Exposing you to beautiful art, one canvas at a time. “

Dad's Leo Collage

2ND STREET: In one word, describe your art.

AmW: One word to describe my art would be, soulful.

2ND STREET: What inspires you?

AmW: For me inspiration comes from many places ranging from music, nature, conversation, certain scents, and even the works of other artists. I feel that I am in sync with nature and my surroundings. At times I can be inspired off of the environment that I am in. For example, my husband, Kareem, took me on a hike at Buttermilk Falls in New York. The crisp clean air, powdered blue sky with the rays of the sun reflecting on the waterfall along the trail, was absolutely amazing. Upon returning from our trip, I was inspired to paint and I did! When listening to music for inspiration, I don’t generally listen to mainstream music and actually prefer the music of upcoming artists such as the Soft Spoken Prophet in Massachusetts music group Zection 8 in MA-FL-PA, and even special music mixes by DJ Gains Bond in Connecticut.

2ND STREET: Who is your favorite artist living or passed on?

AmW: I’m not too familiar with the names of other artists, but I do admire the works of local artists in my hometown such as Marlon Seymour and Zeph Farmby. I also admire the works of artist, Dominic Brown of Mayluna.com in the Netherlands, Kenyan artist, Wangechi Mutu, Brazilian artist, Julian Gasllasch, and Cory Pane of Hartford Connecticut.

2ND STREET: Do you ever get “Artist’s block”? If so, how do you get over it?

AmW:  absolutely had periods of times where I haven’t been inspired to paint or create graphics. In my opinion, creativity cannot be rushed. I’ll step away for a few hours and even sometimes days or weeks until the inspiration comes to me. And when it does, it’s nothing less than amazing and such a blessing.

2ND STREET: How long does it take for you to complete a piece?

AmW: I generally do not time myself when I’m creating. I focus so much on the piece that I’m creating that time seems not to exist. However, most recently I did a painting for my father’s Christmas gift and that took about an hour. And the results would seem as if I spent days or weeks on it. I've managed to shock myself.

2ND STREET: Tell us about your current projects.

AmW: Thankfully, keeping busy has not been a problem for me thus far and I owe God all the thanks and praise for my success and the people He has placed in my life.

Currently, I am planning two art exhibits scheduled for April and March 2013. I am also working on a painting that is being donated to The Purple Society to be auctioned off in January 2013. The Purple Society is a cancer foundation supporting the youth and their families. I have other great things planned for 2013 that I can’t wait for the world to see, so stay tuned!

The Dance

2ND STREET: How can you be contacted?

AmW: 

• Estetika Exposure (347) 868-5696 
• Email: Estetikaartbyamw@gmail.com
• Or the contact form on my website: www.estetikaexposure.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Estetika-Exposure-Art-by-AmW/236208533118404
• Twitter: @PassionWithMe or @EstetikaExposr