Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone the latest single and video from Miss Velvet called “Zumirez.” Channeling the legends of classic rock with powerhouse vocals, impeccable leather style, and an elusive sense of danger that takes you by surprise, Miss Velvet has taken the rock n roll world by storm. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for an interview below.
The music video for the new single, “Zumirez” is quite the cinematic experience — what was it like creating such an extensive visual with so many components?
This video is the beginning of my exploration into creative directing a full piece. I learned so much because when you really dive into a body of work and you have a clear vision, like I did, it becomes this wild love affair process where you keep tweaking components of the piece. My producer Esjay Jones and I also really dove into the editing process with Director Chris Shaibi on this video. I wanted this music video to represent the magical spark of that feeling I feel about California and how it was calling to me. I was fascinated by these bands that came out to California and their sound became more defined — it just had this West Coast feeling. In the Zumirez project, there is an element of playfulness with the band and that is woven through out the video while honoring the magnificent nature surrounding me. This video became much more significant to me as an artist because I tapped into what I feel is the next evolution of Miss Velvet. A super important moment happened when I was figuring out how to style this piece-it hit me that the ascetic of Miss Velvet and the band needed to live in certain colors and fashion styles. From that moment, all of sudden everything seemed to make sense creatively for this video and in the Miss Velvet world I’m building. Zumirez really is the start of the next evolution of Miss Velvet.
You obviously have a very classical approach to rock — who were some of the first artists that influenced you, and made you want to pursue a career as a musician?
Classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin really impacted my musical journey. The moment I heard Plant’s voice and Joplin’s voice soar over wild musical tones-I was hooked. There was so much space between the instruments and the voice. The way these voices and instruments weave around each other especially in that 70’s era-literally brought me to my knees. Absolutely masterful.
Much of “Zumirez” is about growing up in New York City and yearning to head west. How do you think your experiences in these two locations influence you and your music?
In my music, I always love to play with the dichotomy of what I feel in New York which manifests as this driving powered grit sound vs this California expansive lush rock orchestral sound. I think there is such a beauty to the dueling sounds of power and what power is at a given time.