Graziëlla Hunsel Rivero – Powerhouse And Jazz Queen

by on in Inspirational, News & Announcements

“I believe in talents. I believe in the power to realize dreams. I believe in achieving personal goals.”

Ms. Hunsel Rivero is known for breaking her own records. She started with her first single: Just me. Within a couple of hours her single went through the roof  and has gone to the number 1 spot at Itunes! Then she released her second single “Walk with me”. Breaking records again! And today she dropped her third single “Minute Made Woman”. Social media is getting crazy!!!

Time for an interview with this versatile multi-talent from Amsterdam Zuidoost!

Graziëlla Hunsel Rivero, the Surinam/Spanish singer/ songwiter and a Spanish teacher with a PhD and an MA!,  is working on a musical career for over 30 years. At the age of 5 she first attended a talent show. Her interest in music continued to grow and at age 15, she was under contract with the Agency of Joop van den Ende.

In the year 2000 she released her first solo album and in 2002 she founded her production company “Gdelicious Productions”.  A couple of years later she was a contestant  on the biggest talent show, the Voice of Holland.

Thinking back to early childhood, what was your first experience with music for the first time like? 
Since I was a little girl I have been surrounded by music. My mother is a famous singer from Surinam – Anne-Marie Hunsel- and as far as I can remember I had to accompany her to rehearsels, shows and studiosessions. Our livingroom was the place where muscians reunited to rehearse with my mother.
Graziella, Oletta Adams and Anne-Marie Hunsel
As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then?
Sunday morning we listened to Mahalia Jackson. Every Sunday the same album. But mostly Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Motown, Milli Jackson, Dorothy Moore, artists form the STAX recordlabel. I grew up in the eighties so the music I played was MJ, Madonna, Duran Duran, Prince, Whitney Houston, Wham, Dolly Dots and Anita Meyer.
What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I was very young.  When I think about it, it all started when I was in elementary school and the serie “Fame”was aired on TV in Holland. I always wanted to be like Coco and jump like Leroy.
How did you become involved in the type of music you sing now?
I have been trying several styles of music. From Soul, Happy Hard core, Latin, Classical, Surinamese traditional music to Jazz. My love for Jazz music started in 2013 and for two seasons my theatre show “The Grand Ladies of Jazz” has been on tour in Dutch theatres. The music I sing now represents ME and my musical journey. I would call it the “Hunsel feel of flow”..hahahaha.

What can people expect to see at your live performance?
My goal is to give my public a night to remember. I love to interact with them. I am a very energetic person and performer who wants to make sure that they will go home with a smile.
What are your songs about?
My songs are about life. Life is like a soap opera. Some people live a very exciting soap and others have a more dull version, but everyone has their experience. My main goal is to trigger people to believe in their talents, their inner strength and their own power to achieve and persue positive goals in life.
What are your immediate music career goals (in the next 1-3 years)
My first single “Just Me”, of my new album  “Minute Made Woman”, was released on the 24th of July. Every 8 weeks I plan to release another track of  my album.  In October my whole album will be out there for everyone to hear and my biggest dream is to organize a concert where my public can enjoy my music and my message. I go step by step, but I try to do it the best way I can.
How much creative control do you have over your own music?
I am my own boss. I am in control of my own musical plan.. It is just me for me. For my new album I collaborated with producer Joos van Leeuwen, but the words, the sound and the feel of the song is all my creation.
If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry, what would that be?
I would like to hear more positive constructive messages in songs which can inspire ( young) people and I would like to hear more live music on the popular radiostations.
What does your familiy think of your performance and do they support you?
My family is a solid unit and we support eachother all the way. We all have our talents and we make sure that we are there for eachother when we have to perform.
Does anyone in particular influence your artistic/musical talent?
My mother is my number 1 inspiration and example. Chaka Khan is the woman I have been admiring since I was a little girl, Prince for being so talented as a musician and performer, Whitney Houston for her God given voice and sound, MJ for his dancemoves and Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald for the Jazzy side of me.
As an artist, how would you define success?
Being succesful as an artist is the moment people sing your song, understand your message and enjoy your music year in and year out.
Do you currently have an agent, sponsor, record label etc. ?
No, currently I am in charge of everything i do. I work for me..:)
What is a typical day/week like for you?
Working as a singer/ singwriter, producer, Spanish teacher, organizer, vocal teacher, promotor.
I am a mother and do mother – son things. I do homework with my son and take him to sports and dance classes.
I take care of my sweet cat and dog and have a lot of fun with them. I am  a daugther and friend to the best mother on the planet.
I have little time for me, but try to go to the gym or jog to stay fit. And I sing every single day.
How did you achieve this career?
When I look back at the steps I have taken in life I know now that I have been preparing myself to do what I do now. Just Me for Me! But most of all Dream, Dare, Work hard and Believe!

How do you get people to take you seriously as a musician?

People like or dislike things. It is all  about personal preferences. There for I think musicians or artists have to stay true to themselfs and keep putting music and messages out there that represent their own philosophy. If you are your unique self you have no competition. The people that will appreciate your music will spread the word and hopefully the message of the artist will touch more listeners.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career? Would you do anything differently?

I would not change anything. I am perfecly happy with who I am, with what I have achieved and very excited about where I am going.
What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
To answer this question I will quote a piece of the lyrics of my new single “Just me”:
You have big dreams or small dreams
Put your heart into what you want
There’s no No No just Go Go
Like a racecar you’re on a roll
And when you reach that finish your gonna touch higher ground
See yourself in the mirror and say this is what I want!
I am just me, I ‘ve got the power of me, I am just me!

Tour dates

18 March @ 18:00 – 22:00
NoLimit,

Geldershoofd 80
Amsterdam, 1103 BG Amsterdam Netherlands
 
20 March @ 16:30 – 18:00
Kunstlinie Almere Flevoland,

Esplanade 10
Almere, Flevoland 1315 TA Almere Netherlands
 
27 March @ 15:00 – 17:00
Bijlmer Parktheater,

Anton de Komplein 240
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1102 DR Netherlands
 
13 May @ 13:30 – 16:00
Omroep Friesland,

Zuiderkruisweg 2
Leeuwarden, Friesland 8938 AP Netherlands
 
For more details: http://www.graziellahunsel.com/events/
 

You can also check her website: http://www.graziellahunsel.com/

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