Briana Takes A Risk...and it PAYS off!Electronica music has always been a strange scene. most artists are DJs using weird stage names, like Fat Boy Slim or DJ Spooky, but one person has come along and is making not only the genre take notice, but the whole world! The 21 year old Orlanda native has made waves with her beautiful voice, big beats, and lets be honest...her looks. All of this before her debut album is even finished!
BLENDER: You just signed with a label, youve landed an opening slot on the Tisha Jackson World Tour, and now you are the cover story for this issue. How do you feel?
Briana: A bit overwhelmed to say the least! All of this has happened so suddenly, but at the same time, it feels like it has taken me years to get people to give me a listen.
BLENDER: Its hard to listen when they get a good look at you (laughs)
BRIANA: Thanks! but im not all looks you know
BLENDER:Im sure of it. Have you done any modeling before this cover shoot?
BRIANA: Yes, ive done some modeling in the past, and as of yesterday i opted out of my contract with a modeling agency in New York.
BLENDER: So you are not camera shy at all?
BRIANA: Not at all.
BLENDER: So lets talk about your music. People have been trying hard to figure out what genre you fall into. care to elaborate?
BRIANA: Electronica is what i claim. but there is a pop sense in there too. im not a fan of ten minute long droning ambient tracks. it only takes a few seconds for someone to decide if they like a song or not, so why beat it over thier heads for fifteen minutes?
BLENDER: Thats true, So Tisha Jackson took notice of you quite early on, tell us about your relationship with her.
BRIANA: Tisha is a sweetheart, shes tough, confident, but at the same time, very sweet. when i came on the scene she didnt treat me as a threat to her career, she actually went out of her way to make me feel welcome. just about everytime i speak to her i cant help but go into geek mode (laughs) her music has been a bit part of my life for the past few years.
BLENDER: Care to talk about what you were doing before you decided you were going to take on the music industry?
BRIANA: I did alot of things, but ive always known that music is where my heart is. ive done odd jobs for different places here and there but they were very cold and souless. id rather not get into some of the issues i had, but all of those times just make me that much more thankfull about the current times.
BLENDER: Speaking of making yourself happy, people notice that youve taken a liking to Saburben Sunrise's MATT! tell us the juicy details!
BRIANA: (blushes) well hes a sweetie too. i know it sounds shallow, but i kinda had a crush on him before i even listened to them. But in all seriousness, hes a good guy and i havent propperly 'went out' with him. we're friends for the best part.
BLENDER: Friends with benifits?
BRIANA: Friends. People always tend to read too much into things, the same thing was said about Tim Dunn remember?
BLENDER: True, but ive read that you actually booked a gig for MATT's band?
BRIANA: Well, i had a gig booked at the Playboy club in Las Vegas, but i had to back out because i had to fly to New York to discuss getting out of my modeling contract. Saburben Sunsrise was the first band who i thought of when i thought of getting a replacement. Im sure them, and the band 'Cooper' (i believe) the band opening for them, have no problem doing a private show with Playmates in attendence (laughs)
BLENDER: Already showing leadership skills! next you will be running your own label!
BRIANA: (laughs) not quite!
BLENDER: When can we get a record from you? and what to expect?
BRIANA: This summer for sure. Even though i signed with Metamorphisus Records, dont expect anything too over blown. its going to be a very low buget record that im recording entirely myself. all the beats, all the vocals, all the production, all me. i feel that i kind of HAVE to do it like that. ive worked so hard so i want to challenge myself.
BLENDER: Thanks so much Briana! check her out on Tisha Jackson's World Tour, and look for an album this summer! meanwhile, turn to page 174 for a pull out poster!
