A Big Band Song From Canada And A Young R&B Artist Called Ari Skye
Editor’s Note
On a day the Editor was thinking about Britain’s future in Europe, an old friend from Canada sent him a recording of a song he wrote.
With the 75th anniversary of VE DAY approaching, thoughts were also on the sacrifices made by Britain and its Allies to deliver Europe from darkness.
So while images of London during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz were going through his head along with thoughts of McGill University students who were barely twenty deferring their studies and lives to come to England to fight the Nazis, the Editor, played the song sent him.
It was a big band record that ended up reminding him that this sound and style was heard and played at parties and pubs across the country during the war when the people fighting it wanted a break from it. Music helped release the jubilance all were feeling on VE Day in Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and when as one war-time story has it, Her Majesty danced the conga in the streets of London through its ritzy hotels in celebration of victory. It also however provided refuge during the worst of times reminding people of what it meant to be alive.
One still hears those sounds and voices at times when walking in London these days and it seems when listening to big band songs from Canada. Perhaps that spirit, sound and even voices will be needed again this spring.
The song is Cute Like A Button and was written by Charles V. Rox Vaccaro and the voice you will hear if you click on the hyperlink below belongs to a multi-dimensional young singer named Ari Skye who will be releasing her new single Look Into My Eyes in the next fortnight. Cinelli Publishing continuously looks for emerging artists and we recommend to our readers who enjoy new and developing talent to give a listen to this aspiring R&B performer. Just click.
Ari Skye - Cute Like A Button - (Official Short Form Digital Promo)
Songwriter: Charles V. Rox Vaccaro
Producer: Peter Ranallo
https://soundcloud.com/ariskyeofficial/cute-like-a-button-ari-sample/s-9pXtr
Ari Skye - Look Into My Eyes - (Official Short Form Digital Promo)
Songwriter: Charles V. Rox Vaccaro
Producer: Peter Ranallo
https://soundcloud.com/ariskyeofficial/look-into-my-eyes-ari-skye-sample/s-nECck
Martina Mangialardi Interviews Canadian Artist Ari Skye
Both myself and our Canadian Editor have been looking forward to interviewing you and I wanted to start by asking when did you first know you had a talent for singing and that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
When I was about ten years old there was a talent show at my school and I decided to audition for a solo act and the response I got was great. I really liked it, so I thought to myself ‘maybe I should do this!’.
I’m sure everyone was quite impressed and took notice of your voice that day. You are now sixteen and it’s been six years already in the music business for you. Let me ask, what was the first genre of music you liked? And which is the one you prefer to sing?
I have always liked all genres and I can listen to any type of music whether ballads, R&B or pop....any type of music really. As for singing, I mainly like R&B and pop.
Who are the artists who influence you the most at this point in your career? And when looking to them, is it mainly their voices or their stage presence that have made you take notice of them ?
I love Ariana Grande, but in my heart, I have always had a passion for Mariah Carey as well as Celine Dion. I mainly look at them for their voices.
Why Mariah Carey and Celine Dion? They do both have powerful voices and millions seem to want to hear their records. Do you think it’s simply that their voices echo with people’s emotions and feelings?
No, I think it’s because it’s actually also the messages they send out to the world which echo with people’s emotions and feelings.
How important do you think fashion is to music and musicians? Their style?
Fashion is very important to music & musicians because it allows them to express their personality through their style. It helps them celebrate their individuality including their music and music style.
Do you ever see yourself performing in musicals?
Musicals would certainly be fun but I mostly see myself having the stage to myself.
You mentioned earlier when we were talking that you are recording an album.
It is my first time recording in a studio. Charles (Charles V. Rox Vaccaro), my manager, is also a songwriter so he is writing a few songs for my album. He is also playing guitar on some of the tracks. We are a team and we share ideas.
Do you write yourself?
Yes, I do. On my new album there will be some original songs that I wrote.
What do you find yourself writing about?
Mostly, my songs are focused around teenage life and issues such as a crush or a heartbreak or intimidation and so on. Anything that has to do with teenagers matters really!
Intimidation?
Intimidation as in bullying. I feel like we’ve all - at a certain point in our lives - experienced some form of bullying. Sometimes we might not even notice but our own family, friends, and even us ourselves, can be bullies. We’ve got to learn how to stand up for ourselves and not be afraid to talk to people about issues or problems.
Because of your young age you must be attending school while pursuing your music career. How do you cope with going to school, your homework, seeing your friends and still pursue a singing career ? And is there any other outside school activity that you like aside from music?
I organize everything accordingly so there might be some late-night studying at times but I am good at organizing my time. I am really interested in school but singing is definitely the main activity outside of it.
You are very attached to Montreal. Do you ever see yourself in another city?
For the time being, I see myself in Montreal but... who knows.
Now tell me, if you would choose one stage you could be performing on in the whole world, where would that be?
That would be at the Bell Centre. It’s the ice hockey arena here in Montreal where our professional hockey team plays and many concerts are held. Lots of music stars perform there and having the chance to be on that stage would be a dream come true.
I know that you regularly perform the national anthems at football games in Montreal. Can you tell us more about it?
Yes, I sing for the soccer team here in Montreal, the Montreal Impact. Usually in front of 20,000 people. It’s been really fun and exciting to perform both the Canadian and American national anthems. That was a dream of mine and it is great that it has happened.
And, as I understand it got even better last month?
Yes, on my 16th birthday, I got the chance to live another dream. I sang the national anthems at a Montreal Canadians game at the Bell Centre. Singing at the Bell Centre has been a dream of mine since I was small and when I heard I was singing there, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe it. It was the best day of my life and I’m so grateful for it.
THE END OF TERM QUIZ
Would you rather perform before a live audience or record in a studio?
I love performing before a live audience.
Do you prefer playing the songs you write or would you rather perform covers of other artists’ songs?
I prefer singing my originals.
Would you prefer performing the national anthem at a World Cup game or at a Montreal Canadians Stanley Cup Playoffs game?
This is a tough one! ...I will have to say that I would love to perform at a Montreal Canadians’ game when they are making a playoff run for the Stanley Cup.
If you were to win an award, would you prefer it to be a Grammy or an MTV award?
MTV Awards are great but the Grammy would be my choice.
Do you think when I interview you again when you are in your twenties, your answers will have changed ?
I definitely know they will have changed!
