Meet Soleil: Singer, Songwriter, & Entertainer

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

Hi Soleil, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

Music is what’s most authentic to me. Freedom, in various forms, is my biggest metric. Being a singer/songwriter is something that I cherish because I value the experience of being able to express myself freely and in a creative way that serves as a release for me and an inspiration for others. Art makes you feel something, and that’s what I want my music to do.  

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m really excited about my strategy for this year because that is one thing I knew I had to improve on. I haven’t released music since May 2020, but my new single called ‘Whose Side?’ just released on February 5th, and I’ll be releasing a music video for the song by early March. I’ll have music coming out every month this year! I’ve also been booking more gigs and I am so grateful for that, especially during this pandemic. I’ve learned a ton about vocal production and production overall since I started producing music during the quarantine. I’m growing as an artist and I’m thankful for it! My musical journey started when I was 5 years old. I did my first ‘performance’ and sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in the Yonkers, New York home I grew up in. Soon after, my parents put me in piano and vocal lessons. I’ve been in the professional entertainment scene since 2013, gigging in various cover bands. Prior to 2013, I was in traditional, acapella, and gospel choirs in high school and college. I’ve been in corporate bands, playing at venues nationwide and internationally. Being an entertainer taught me a ton, like how to perform – but I wanted to shift into being an artist. I started working on creating music with a team in 2017 and released my 6-song EP, Dawn, in January 2020. Since then, I’ve been focused on developing my artistry. There have been times in my life that I’ve tried to push music away when I was working corporate jobs. Pushing it away never worked because music always found its way back to me. I believe that whatever is meant to be yours will always be yours, and I know it is part of my life path and purpose. Navigating the music industry is not easy because there is no instruction manual telling you how to succeed. I’ve overcome challenges by being resilient, determined, and adaptable. I make mistakes, learn from them, and practice patience with myself. I’ve learned that not everyone is meant to be a part of your tribe, but once you find your supporters, it is easier to move forward. I’ve also learned a lot about contracts and what is fair and unfair within them. Luckily, I have an advisor who’s shown me the way and I haven’t signed any bad contracts!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Monday – It’s day one and the sun is shining. We’re going to Miami Beach to enjoy the sun and walk the boardwalk, then grab some food at Lincoln Eatery and walk Lincoln Road Shops. End the day at ArtTechHouse and Pinecrest Bakery for some croquetas. 

Tuesday – Peruse around the Design District and Midtown. Eat some craft sushi at Kraken Crudo. Live music and wine at Lagniappe to end the day. 

Wednesday – Checking out some museums – The Bass and Perez. Have dinner and enjoy live music at Melinda’s in downtown. 

Thursday –Grab a delicious bagel at Toasted in Brickell and check out Brickell City Centre. Then it’s time to relax at the Russian Turkish Baths. Grab the best Jamaican food around at Clive’s Café. 

Friday – Spending the day checking out Wynwood and going to some bars. Dinner at 1800 Lucky! 

Saturday – 4:20 Yoga at Club Space and eating at Planta for dinner! 

Sunday – Last day! We’re going to Lincoln Road yoga, checking out South Pointe Park Pier, and then ending the trip at Crandon Park.  

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a shoutout to my parents for encouraging me to follow my passion for music at a young age. They came to all of my school concerts and assemblies, from elementary school to college, to gigs and shows that I’ve done in recent years. I have a great group of friends, creatives, and an advisor who love to support me in my creative pursuits. I credit the book ‘Murphy’s Laws of Songwriting’ for teaching me how to structure a song. I also want to give a shoutout to everyone I worked with on my first EP ‘Dawn’ – Mitch Cantor, Marla Cantor, WMG Boowie, and Sambo Sounds.

Website: www.soleilworld.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solefulsoul/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soleil-music-93419b1a9/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/solefulsoul
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soleilshines/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/Soleilworld
Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XKTCyBXEVwbZ7yXHhqRpc https://music.apple.com/us/artist/soleil/1487471705 https://soundcloud.com/soleilworld

Image Credits
Samantha Pertusiello, Colwyn Charles, Dais Sarcos, Spenser DaCosta