Soluna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Soluna is a music group consisting of four young women, the name being formed by a combination of the Spanish words for sun (sol) and moon (luna). This title is said to fit the four powerful young women because Soluna's members (Aurora Rodriguez, America Olivo, Jessica Castellanos and T Lopez) represent a combination of fire and romance, and express it through their stunning four-part harmony which has gained them legions of fans around the world.
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Formation
Soluna began in 1998 when old school friends Aurora Rodriguez and America Olivo met up after a few years apart, and decided to look for something interesting together. The two met up with a producer friend and met Jessica Castellanos. The three started singing together, and their chemistry was immediate. They automatically went into a three part harmony (Aurora with low, America with melody and Jessica with high) that was so convincing, it sounded if they'd been singing together for years.
At this point, the three decided to look for a fourth member to round out their sound. At a party, they met another producer friend who recommended to them a young girl he'd stumbled upon while driving in Ontario, California. His car had broken down so he had happened into a local auto-body shop and saw the owner's daughter's picture on the wall. The girl's father assured him his daughter was talented and could sing. The producer mentioned this girl to the other three. Her name was Christina "T" Lopez, and after singing "Amazing Grace" over the phone, she became the final piece to the Soluna puzzle.
Shortly after forming, Soluna inked a deal with DreamWorks Records. After working with DreamWorks for several months without a formal name, they finally decided on "Soluna" after a stop at Borders. All four girls were looking through random books in hopes it would spark some ideas. Jessica happened to see something with "sun" and "moon" together, and just said, "Soluna."
Debut
Their debut album was finished by summer of 2001. It was peppered with pop, rock, dance and latin sounds thanks to such producers as Steve Morales, Tim & Bob, Josh & Brian, Thunderpuss 2000, Ozomatli and Tim Miner. The girls themselves produced one track (the acapella stunner "Te Vengo A Decir"), as well as co-wrote five others ("Bring It To Me," "I'll Be Waiting," "So In Love," "Spanish Lullaby," and "Luna Mia").
The uptempo classic "Bring It To Me" was picked as the first single, and many different remix versions of the song were served to DJs around the United States. The song rose to the Top 20 of Billboard's Dance Chart, therefore promising a successful road ahead.
For All Time
But with the events of September 11, 2001, Soluna decided to go in a different direction. Rather than taking "Bring It To Me" to the mainstream, they instead began preparing the tender ballad "For All Time" for America's radios. In additon, they also arranged an acapella tribute via their "Patriotic Medley" that they performed at many an event.
As 2002 began, the girls performed at the NAACP Image Awards, as well as Elton John's 10th annual Oscar Gala. "For All Time" was formally released to radio on February 12, 2002. The debut album of the same name was officially in stores May 14, 2002.
The single gained popularity almost exponentially to the point that by summer, the song was a bonefide smash. The video, directed by the famed Bille Woodruff along with its Spanish equivilant, was shot in June 2002, and was premired in grand style on MTV's "Total Request Live" on July 24th. The song shot up to the Top 20 of Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream Chart, and the Top 30 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. Soluna was also honored with the opportunties to open up for both Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony on their nationwide tours, performing in such large venues as Madison Square Garden and also taking their music to Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Later work
In late September of 2002, the girls announced that their followup single would be the latin-influenced dance smash "Monday Mi Amor", originally produced by Thunderpuss 2000, and spiced up by California sensation Ozomatli. The song was officially released to radio November 11, 2002. "Monday Mi Amor" generated so much buzz that in its first week, it was listed in the Top 10 of Most Adds in the CHR/POP Category for Radio! Also, its dance remix by the popular DJ Wildlife hit #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Breakout Chart -- their highest showing on a Billboard Chart to date.
Shortly after "Monday Mi Amor" was released, the girls announced that they were beginning to work out a sitcom deal with UPN based on their adventures in the music business. They began shooting a guest spot on Nickelodeon's first Latino influenced show "The Brothers Garcia" in December 2002.
On February 22, 2003, Soluna attended the Los Herlaldos Awards in Mexico and won for Best New Pop Artist -- their first award ever!
The pilot for the girl's sitcom was shot on April 28, 2004. Meanwhile, the girls were working hard behind the scenes, writing and recording tracks for their sophomore album, their first all-spanish album, as well as taking acting classes.
In May of 2004, the girls announced they were recording a duet with recording artist J.Roman (formerly 1/3 of the musical group Vi3). It was written by J.Roman himself, called "Where Are You?" The song made its premiere as J.Roman's first solo single on Chicago's B96 on May 17, 2004 to automatic buzz. By August, the song was becoming a sleeper hit for many a radio station across the U.S.
