Luxe7Feature: Celebrity Recording Artist from FOX American Idol ” Syesha Mercado “
Jeremy: Tell my readers a little bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
Syesha: First let me just say thank you so much it means a lot I have been waiting for this interview with you, so I am glad that we finally get to do this. I started out in music at the age of two actually, I would follow my mother around the house singing because my mother also was a singer, she used to sing background for a Motown group at the time and she had her own band as well, She would perform a lot in the community and I would watch her all the time and watch her sing in church all the time as well. So my biggest influence musically has always been my mother. My first solo was in church at 4 years old and I been singing ever since. I knew I wanted to make a difference in peoples lives. So I started doing plays and I did a lot of extra curricular activities in elementary school, middle school and high school. From that I went on to studying theatre in college and started doing a lot of extra work in Miami while I was going to school. I really just had a hustle mentality. Landed roles on a few TV Shows and then I ended up on American Idol and from there the doors have been opening and I have been blessed.
Jeremy: Watching your mother work in the music industry what were a few things that she taught you growing up about the business?
Syesha: My mother is just big on practicing vocal gymnastics and being free with singing and vocally letting go. She always told me that practice makes perfect.
Jeremy: Who else did you look up too in the industry vocally?
Syesha: Lauren Hill, Yolanda Adams, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Stephanie Mills, Etta James, and ETC. The list goes. I have a wide range of musical influences.
Jeremy: So lets talk about American Idol, tell me about your mindset before idol, going into it all and seeing the process of how everything works with American idol, what was your mind-set like going into the audition?
Syesha: Well because I had already did a reality TV show I already knew that you could be portrayed in any type of way through editing, so I kind of went into the competition, knowing that this is a TV show, and these are the rules, this is the contract that I am signing, so first and for-most THIS IS A TV SHOW! Also I seen it as another gig, and this gig will give me the opportunity to reach the fans that I want to reach and a bigger fan base, which I did. It opened a lot of doors and I am so grateful.
Jeremy: Would you ever do a television show again?
Syesha: I can’t say I would or would not because its A LOT!!!!! LOL. I learned a lot and it was an amazing experience but it was just A LOT.
Jeremy: How did you feel getting so close to winning but not winning American Idol placing at 3rd?
Syesha: Its funny because I did not want to win, I wanted to place second runner up. I wasn’t ready at the time to win; I was still finding my sound and me so I am glad I did not win idol. I placed where I wanted to and I am happy about that.
Jeremy: So you just recently released/posted an AMAZING Video to you covering “Love On Top” by Beyonce and it has to be one of the most powerful vocals I have heard in a long time. Talk to me about that post and how you were able to let go and reach those notes and ranges that you did in that song.
Syesha: Its funny because I was rehearsing, It wasn’t meant to be recorded it was just for fun. I had been singing the whole entire day, I was so vocally strained and tired and it took everything out of me to do that performance that night but it was a great video, the comments were amazing and I couldn’t be more happy about it. As far as the place that I go when I am singing to hit those notes, I really just dive into those lyrics and feel that emotion of the song and express that vocally. She’s in love and the feeling of being in love is an emotional journey and I felt that. I close my eyes and I zone out and it comes through.
Jeremy: What is the direction of music your trying to go into?
Syesha: I am very universal, I am just music!
Jeremy: Is there an album coming soon?
Syesha: There is an album coming soon but my goal right now is too just get something out as soon as possible to the fans, so if I have a song that is completed, the production is up to par and everything is up to par than I will release it. I will be releasing another song on iTunes in February 2012.
Jeremy: Thank you for sitting with me it meant a lot Syesha!
Syesha: Thank you Jeremy… Love the site, Anytime!
