Just American News recently got a chance to interview singer Edward Mena. We got insights into his new single, upcoming projects and much more!
Q. First of all it is great to have you on our platform and congratulations on your new single “Senza Catene”! We’re excited to delve into it shortly, but first, we’d love to learn more about you and your musical journey. Can you share with us some of your earliest memories of music and what inspired you to become a singer?
Thank you for having me! It’s my pleasure. Well, I was always very musical since a very young age; I remember singing as a little boy around my house with a hairbrush pretending that it was a microphone. Then in school, I would also participate in musical theater plays and everything related to the arts. But it wasn’t until I turned 15 that I discovered my true voice, after it changed and started to mature, I realized I had this powerful sound and that I could reach certain high notes and hold them for a long time, that’s where it all started. I made my debut at 17 years old in front of an audience of 3,000 people at a musical festival in Miami where I was invited to sing the National Anthem of the USA to open the event. That’s when I said to myself “This is what you will be doing for the rest of your life” so I began to take voice lessons to protect my voice and to formally study music. From being that young teenager until now, a lot has happened in my life and career and I’m very grateful.
Q. We loved your single “Senza Catene”. Kindly share the process that you followed while you were working on this single.
I’m glad to know it, thanks so much! It was a big dream of mine to record in Italian. It was something that I wanted to fulfill, and it came to life with the recording of “Senza Catene”. Having Italian roots from my ancestors, I felt that I needed to pay tribute to the wonderful and romantic music of Italy which I grew up listening to and that has touched me deeply. So, this song is the first of many more to come in this beautiful language. On this project, I had the pleasure of working with renowned Venezuelan producer and arranger Hildemaro Alvarez, a GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Nominee, and Nick Burchall, a top sound mastering engineer in London who has worked for major Disney and Marvel Soundtracks. Musicians from several parts of the world were invited to participate and I’m so happy with the result which has been very well received by my loyal fans from many countries and new ones that have recently discovered my work.
Q In the process of creating this single, can you share an unexpected source of inspiration that took your work in a surprising direction?
I was very inspired by two music legends from Italy when I was in the studio doing vocals, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti. They have always been a big inspiration for me and when I heard myself singing in their native language, my emotions started to flow, and my voice just soared… As I mentioned before, I always wanted to also record in Italian, and it was a very emotional process during the recording sessions. I think my heart and soul are completely and sincerely captured in this performance, and I believe the audience feels that when they listen to it. It’s truly very gratifying for me.
Q. Over the years, how has your music and performance style evolved? Are there any new elements you’ve incorporated recently?
I’m a romantic singer, but I have also recorded in other genres, and languages and performed music from several countries, always incorporating my style and personal touch in everything I do of course. From power ballads to mariachi music, American classics and Contemporary Pop, and Latin-American songs, my repertoire is currently very wide. Back in 2019, I recorded a beautiful award-winning EP called “Emociones” for the Hispanic market, which was produced by the legendary 17 Grammy Winner Humberto Gatica, who has worked with Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Michael Bublé. That was the beginning of a new stage in my career. My sound has continuously been evolving and so has my voice and the way I use it. I consider myself a versatile performer and I’m always open to experiment with new elements and sounds in all my projects, I love to be in the studio and get creative with my team.
Q. Any tips or advice for the young artists?
First, believe in yourself! Always work hard and never give up on your dreams, this is a “resistance” career and it’s not always easy but when you have the passion, the love, the discipline and you persevere no matter what, new doors will always open for you. A good legacy is built step by step, focus on always being the best version of yourself as an artist and as a human being which is also very important, and don’t take no for answer. For me “good luck” is the result of hard and constant work.
Q. How was your experience visiting The White House as a guest of honor for “Day of Venezuela” celebration?
It was the honor of a lifetime! To be invited as a guest of honor to The White House and be recognized as an “Exemplary Venezuelan” for my contributions to the United States is amazing and something I will always value and treasure. It’s an unforgettable experience and a huge privilege as an immigrant who came to this great nation many years ago looking for better opportunities, to work hard and to pursue my dreams. To have the President of the United States say to me in a letter that “my story is part of the American Dream” is just an incredible achievement… I’m extremely grateful to this country for so much!
Q. What has been one of the most memorable interactions you’ve had with a fan during a performance?
I have many memorable moments with fans, some have touched me deeply. You know what’s beautiful? To receive honest and heartfelt words from those who enjoy and have been moved by my work. A hug, a gift. It’s truly special… I remember once a very nice elder lady came to see me in my dressing room backstage after a performance in Los Angeles, and she said to me “you remind me so much of my son who passed away, but your music and voice make me feel joy because you make me remember him and think of all those unforgettable moments I spent with him, and you have helped me ease my pain because when I see you, I see him, and that gives me comfort and makes my heart happy in some way. Thank you.” Then we both got emotional, hugged each other and I said to her “Thank YOU for telling me this, it means a lot and in me you will always have a son.” After that, we never saw each other again, but that moment will stay in my memories forever. Wherever she is right now, I wish her all the best.
Q. Looking ahead, are there any new projects or directions you are excited to explore in your career?
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with many great artists through my career, especially in concerts and live events. Looking forward to recording new duets very soon, it’s always exciting to work with people you admire in the music industry and some of them are very close friends, which makes these upcoming collaborations even more special. I will also be performing in September on a tribute to the legendary Connie Francis in Miami and doing more shows, private performances, and making appearances on the media. I’m also very active as an activist, I love to support and defend important humanitarian and social causes that I believe in.
Q. Any hints for our readers about any upcoming collaboration or new projects that you are working on?
Yes! We’re currently working on my new album, which will feature music in English, Italian and Spanish… Can’t reveal very much yet but I’m very excited! It’s sounding great! Follow me on my social media to stay in touch and read the latest news! It’s @edwardmenamusic on Instagram, Threads and Facebook. Also, find me on every major streaming platform. See you there, my friends!
Q. Lastly, as we ask all our guests on our platform, do you have any closing thoughts that you would like to share with the world and our readers?
I want to thank you again for having me in your platform and for this great interview. For those new readers that are now discovering me and my music, I really hope you enjoy my latest single “Senza Catene” and everything that I do with all my heart, with so much passion and love. For my fans, thank you for always being there for me in every step of the way! I love and appreciate all of you. Without the support of our audience, we just couldn’t be here. Thank you for being with me on this incredible journey and stay tuned for what’s to come next.
About the artist: Edward Mena is an award-winning Venezuelan-American singer who has a solid and ascending career that began in 2009 after achieving 1st Place that year on the “Premio Estrella Music Award”. Since then, he has performed with success in stages around the United States, such as Dade County Auditorium, James L. Knight Center and Trail Theater in Miami, Copernicus Center in Chicago, Mesa Arts Center in Phoenix, Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, the Mexican Independence Celebration at Plazita Olvera in Los Angeles for more than 8,000 people, the Miramar Latin Music Festival in Miramar, Florida for a crowd of more than 4,000 attendees, to name a few. In 2020, he was named “Artistic Ambassador” of the ASORBAEX (Escritoras, Escritores, Poetas y Artistas Red Girasol Internacional) association in the Kingdom of Spain. Through the years, Edward has been invited many times to perform the National Anthem of the United States, “Star Spangled Banner”, at very prestigious events with the presence of federal, state and political leaders in the state of Florida. A significant highlight in Edward Mena’s career was his invitation as a guest of honor to The White House on November 30, 2023. This special occasion marked the first-ever “Day of Venezuela” celebration under the Biden Administration. Alongside 79 other distinguished Venezuelan personalities, Mena was recognized for his invaluable contributions to the United States—a historic moment for Venezuelans nationwide.
SOCIAL MEDIA @EdwardMenaMusic Instagram / Facebook / YouTube
