Amber says she was mainly influenced by the great old school jazz artists like:
Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington and Billy Holiday. She likes to combine "old style"
jazz with an updated hip/hop beat giving it an "up-to-date" groove while incorporating
her own style. Her music is played on over 100 radio stations and pod casts worldwide.
Amber can also be heard on the New Hit Show for the Style Network "Dress My Nest", her song "All I Need"
is the theme song for the feature film “All That I Need" . She has a song on the soundtrack for
the feature film "Prayer before Murder". Some of her acting credits have included a recurring role
on "Veronica Mars", promo's for "Starz TV", a guest appearance on "Dress My Nest", the host
for the "National School Program for MADD", host for "Jitter fingers". which is an online community
for teen girls as well as many TV commercials and Feature Film roles. Amber's music can be heard and
downloaded for free on the trueAnthem website. trueAnthem
is an advertising supported, online music promotion and distribution
company.
A little Q&A
DCB:
When (at what age) did you develop an interest in singing. Did the acting go hand in hand (come about at the same time) with the singing? Which preceded the other? AO: I became really interested in singing when I was in elementary school. I had a great music teacher that encouraged my family and I to take note of my talent. I would say acting came first though. I have always been involved in theatrics in some form or another. Actually, I was very heavily involved in a dance and theater company as well for most of my adolescence. That was a great time of exploration and creativity for me.
DCB:
While growing up, did you take part in the productions (musicals/plays) while in school? If you did, do memories of any productions standout? AO: Any and ALL I could participate in. I was in all the choirs and drama and all the after school programs that were available involving the arts (my Mom was such a trooper!). As for stand outs.. hmmm? I played a cave woman courtesan named Vibrata in "A funny thing happened on the way to the forum" that rocked my world. I got to swing in on a rope and give a little "ayayayay"!
DCB:
Of all the songs that you have written, do you have a favorite? What is the first song you wrote and do you still perform it?
AO: Oh that's a tough one. It changes daily. Today I will commit to "Ladylike". I feel it fits where I am at in life at this moment, feeling a little sassy, a little single, and a little sexy, lol. The first song I wrote was called "All I Need" and I don't include it in my sets lately. I like it, but for some reason it does not resinate with me live.
DCB:
What was your favorite part in a play or TV Show and why?
AO: You know, it's not really a part per say but I love hosting. I feel comfortable talking to people through the camera.
DCB:
In the San Diego Reader you said “Music allows me to express myself, while acting allows me to get away from myself,” which is an interesting way to see one creative side from the other. It is a comment like "know thy self". At what point/age did you come to this realization? A lot of people don't know who or what they are, but it sounds like you have a pretty clear idea.
AO: I have always been amazed by how art can take you to different places whether that be inward or traveling through a script. It hit me right off the bat that the yin and yang of these two art forms would really be beneficial in my balancing as well. Listen, I don't claim by any means to know myself 100% but I will say this.. I try to stay as present as possible in my ups and downs.
DCB:
Your association with Old Navy and TrueAthem provides an interesting opportunity. How did they discover you?
AO: I submitted my work to TrueAnthem in hopes of a broader digital distribution network. I became connected with Old Nay through them and they have now connected me with Wonka. I think this company is genius. Their mission is to "connect the band to the fan with a brand". In turn my music is free and immediately available. Also, I still make money and the sponsor gets marketed as well. It is in my opinion the future of music.
DCB:
One of the links I have on the page I'm creating is to Amazon.com for the "Lady Like" track. In the Soulife interview you said, releasing free music "allows me to put out new music consistently without the pressure of releasing a complete CD." Does this mean you won't do a CD?
AO: I will do a CD. It's will be available on itunes shortly. However, it will not contain all of the songs I release via the internet. I want the album to be cohesive and sometimes I write music that is out of left field for me and still want to share. I guess I am an impatient artist : )
About
- excerpt
San Diego Reader... Acting...
“Music allows me to express myself, while acting allows me to get away from
myself,” says Amber Ojeda...
Soulife – One can see you fell as comfortable on Soul as you do on Rn’B or Jazz…but what do you prefer to listen and sing? Amber Ojeda - I love music of all kinds… but the stuff that really stirs me is Jazz and Hip Hop.. but I definitely incorporate soul into my music. Especially my live sets. As far as what I am listening to right now.. Little Dragon, Van Hunt, Esperanza Spalding, and Tribe Called Quest. Yep, constant rotation in my car.
......
Soulife – Your music can be found for free. Why did you decide on making it available that way? Amber Ojeda - I think that downloads are the future of music. While there is a beauty and an art form to a pressed CD I think that in today's society we want things on a more immediate basis i.e. downloads. Also, it allows me to put out new music consistently without the pressure of releasing a complete CD. Listeners are in turn connected to what you are saying/singing/ dealing with in life at the same time as you. Which in my opinion is amazing.
Amber says she was mainly influenced by the great old school jazz artists like:
Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington and Billy Holiday. She likes to combine "old style"
jazz with an updated hip/hop beat giving it an "up-to-date" groove while incorporating
her own style. Her music is played on over 100 radio stations and pod casts worldwide.
Amber can also be heard on the New Hit Show for the Style Network "Dress My Nest", her song "All I Need"
is the theme song for the feature film “All That I Need" . She has a song on the soundtrack for
the feature film "Prayer before Murder". Some of her acting credits have included a recurring role
on "Veronica Mars", promo's for "Starz TV", a guest appearance on "Dress My Nest", the host
for the "National School Program for MADD", host for "Jitter fingers". which is an online community
for teen girls as well as many TV commercials and Feature Film roles. Amber's music can be heard and
downloaded for free on the 