Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcela Cruz.
Marcela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Where to begin… well for as long as I can remember I’ve been singing. I grew up playing on several sports teams, singing in several bands, taking dance classes and singing solo at countless events. I was always busy.
After high school, I attended the University of New Hampshire and studied Psychology. I loved my time there. I started my career as a songwriter while I was in school, often collaborating with other artists on campus to create material for prospective students upon their visits.
I also sang the National Anthem for various sports activities, sang as entertainment for so many community events and was an active member of an all female a cappella group on campus.
After graduation, I started to experience the real world and was very confused about what my next step was as a professional. The jobs I searched simply weren’t satisfying and I wasn’t eager to gain experience anywhere.
One thing I did know… I wanted to sing. That summer, I spent countless hours in my room writing and recording music. After a while, a friend of mine encouraged me to visit a well-known studio/producer in Boston to record the music I had been working on professionally.
I had been in other studios before and collaborated with other artists and producers but my first session with Nelly Protoolz was different. I felt comfortable recording music that I had been working on (which normally is nerve-wracking for me to allow others to hear) and Nelly saw something in me that I hadn’t quite discovered yet.
I teamed up with Nelly and his label, Halcyon Music Group and focused on artist development and creating my very first EP, “Here We Go Again.” From there I’ve been able to meet more people in the Boston music community and perform/attend several shows in the area.
About a year ago, I was grateful enough to be connected with another heavy hitter in Boston, Lisa Finelli. After performing at one of Lisa’s shows at the Hard Rock in Boston, I was able to learn more about her company, Xperience Creative.
XC is a company that offers artists a range of services from artist development, booking, to social media promotion and networking… and her company did just that. We toured several cities up and down the east coast, hit many great stages and put out a lot of dope material.
A little less than a year into becoming an XC artist, Lisa and I transitioned our relationship into her becoming my manager.
Today, I continue to create music and work with an extremely dedicated team (shout out to the amazing band and dancers I get to hit the stage with too!) to perform not only in the Boston area but around the country as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It wouldn’t be worth it if the road was smooth! There have been several bumps and potholes in the road and I know there will be many, many more. Like most artists, I’ve had to deal with the two biggest obstacles in this industry… time and money.
It’s a difficult industry and as an upcoming artist, it’s a HUGE financial investment to do it while not being signed to a major label. So of course balancing a day job that will financially keep my head above water, takes up a lot of time and working to become a full-time recording artist also takes a toll.
There are several things artists need to pay for that don’t come cheap and it’s hard to keep up sometimes. It’s also really frustrating when it gets in the way of completing your artistic vision to the fullest.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Marcela Cruz (Artist) – what should we know?
I’m an RNB/pop artist and am extremely proud of how far I’ve developed as an artist, however, I have a long way to go. I’ve been nominated for three Boston Music Awards, made an appearance on The Steve Harvey Show, traveled to perform for various audiences and have created some kickass music. I’m just getting started though.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I am SO blessed to have met the people around me who care and support unconditionally. Nelly Protoolz who has been a part of my journey from the start, Lisa Finelli who works tirelessly to help get my vision out to the masses, Chanel “Ms 5-6-7-8” for creating amazing choreography for my music along with Kimmy Tremlett, Juanita Pearl and Jasmine Kamara, HypeMo for being the most badass band around, the various songwriters I’ve been able to collaborate with on music we’ve released and to every person who believes in the Marcela Cruz music.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://marcelacruzmusic.com/
- Email: info@marcelacruzmusic.com
- Instagram: @marcelacruzmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcelaCruzMusic
- Twitter: @marcelacruz__
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbhdYfF4A_U
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