Check out our interview with Antonique Rivela and her video, performing John Legend’s “All of Me”. (Above)
IR: Let’s get to know a little bit more about you and how you grew up. So where do you consider hometown and what type of kid were you growing up?
Antonique: My hometown is New York, Staten Island. I was the weird girl that always liked being different and strived to be myself.
IR: How old were you when you developed an interest in music?
Antonique: I was just 4 years old when I realized my love for music and just poems in general.
IR: What was the first album you ever listened to? Can you remember back that far?
Antonique: Yes all of Andrea Bocelli and then I was always surrounded by the song “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra.
IR: When and how did you begin your journey in the world of music?
Antonique: I realized after my sister had a stroke, praying to God for her to get better and send me a sign of what to do in life- my lucky number was shown in scripture stating “I will sing of the mercies of The Lord.” While after that she was healed and I now know my purpose.
IR: What influences shaped your musical style?
Antonique: The influences that shaped my musical style were Billy Joel, Brittany Spears and Mandy Moore.
IR: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before?
Antonique: It’s different- open an ear and listen!
IR: Do you write a lot by yourself or do you have a partner or a group of people you work with?
Antonique: I write a lot of lyrics by myself and my producer Tony Hanson writes the music to what is inside my head. I am attempting to play piano tho.
IR: What is your main goal at this point?
Antonique: My main goal is to have people relate to my music.
IR: Have you learned any lessons so far and if so, what are they?
Antonique: I learned that practice makes perfect and the hate can only make you stronger. If you feed into hate it will only distract you.
IR: Are there any artists you wish to work with in the future?
Antonique: Honestly anyone who is professional. I respect them, there wisdom and there drive.
IR: If you could create your dream tour, who would be a part of it?
Antonique: The real question is who wouldn’t be apart of it. It would be so much more than a concert, when the time comes hopefully.
IR: Where can we find your music? Online and offline?
Antoniqueworldwide.com online, offline bookings and shows will be listed on antoniqueworldwide.com
IR: We ask all the artists we interview, what’s the best piece of advice someone’s ever given to you?
Antonique: The best advice anyone has given me is to not give up and keep going- either be the person who lived there dreams or watch other people live there dreams and be in the crowd. my mothers “reach for the stars” and Billy Joel’s you can get what you want or you can just get old.
IR: Thank you so much for letting us get to know you and we look forward to hearing more from you.
