Meet Solara

We had the good fortune of connecting with Solara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Solara, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
I hear a lot of people say to quit your day job if you really want to pursue your dreams, but I really disagree with this when starting out. Your “day job/side hustles” can really FUND your dreams when you’re just beginning to pursue them! For myself as an artist, my side jobs help me fund my music videos, promote my songs…etc. Once your dreams start paying the bills, that’s when you know it’s time to quit your day job and go all out!!! And yes, in the beginning it might be hard, you might have to work extra days and nights to get things going (I know because I’m a single mom of 3 children under 3 and it’s super hard to balance everything) but it will all be worth it in the end if you keep your eyes on the prize and get to do what you love!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I didn’t know it at the time but I had a very unique upbringing. I grew up in country area of Riverside with horses and basically a small farm with almost every animal you can think of and I was home schooled until college. My mom is a piano teacher still to this day so I started on piano as a child but then switched to violin and was classically trained for many years. I always loved singing the most though, so I switched to guitar because you can song write and sing along that way. It’s a little hard to sing and play the violin (haha). The first album I ever recorded was actually a bluegrass album but my music now is far from that genre.

Today my sound is more inspired by my time spent in Haiti.. My first taste of musical success happened in Haiti where I was invited to perform, “Relax” a song I wrote with an amazing artist named J Perry. It aired live on Tropical TV in over 150 countries. From that moment on ,I’ve forged a mix of Caribbean soul with modern beats. I credit my songwriting and singing to growing up without a TV. Music became my main form of entertainment during my family’s nightly jam sessions with my siblings and the neighbors would come over, grab an instrument and get involved. That gave me an ear , taught me how to improvise , how to sing on the spot, how to write a song…I’m super grateful for growing up that way, I wouldn’t change it. I’ve written for many artists, TV & film and worked with Grammy winning and nominated producers.

This road has not been easy. It’s taken over 15 years of hard hard work to even begin to see success and I feel like I”m still at the very beginning of starting to see success but I love every second of it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love going to the top of the Mission Inn. It has such a beautiful view of the city and the hotel courtyard almost feels like a little escape to Europe.

Another little spot I love that has great coffee is Condron Coffee.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My motivation has shifted as I’m now a single mom of 3 under 3 so my inspiration to keep going comes from my children. They are my life! I’ve also spent a lot of time in Haiti and that has greatly influenced my music and perspective on life!

Website: www.solaramusik.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/solaramusik

Twitter: solaramusik

Facebook: www.facebook.com/solaramusik

Youtube: www.youtube.com/solaramusik

Other: Listen & follow my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6pnsa8p0UT1LNqATd8ykzH