Irene Nelson was born and raised in a poor village in Siberia and this has helped her rise above in the music scene not only in her native country of Russia but it seems as if she is about to begin making waves since moving here to the United States. After finishing high school, she made it her goal to further her education in music. This passion for music was recognized by one of the legendary producers in Russia by the name of Vlad Tyurin. With Irene on lead vocals in the band Reflex they quickly became one of most popular Pop acts in Europe.
Per her MySpace page, www.myspace.com/irenenelson, “After four continuous years, Reflex was the hottest thing to hit the Russian pop-stage, winning many musical awards, including three Russian Grammys. In 2007 Nelson and Reflex were at the pinnacle of their success. During the acceptance of Reflex’s third Grammy, Nelson stunned the world by announcing her departure from the group. After leaving, she took a brief sabbatical in the mountains of United Arab Emirates. Completely cut off from the world with no electricity or running water, Irene meditated and prepared herself for her come back. Irene returned and began work in London recording at George Martin’s legendary Air Studios. Irene worked alongside famous producer, Steve Orchard, (U2, ColdPlay, Peter Gabriel, and Dido.) Irene Nelson has risen from a successful career as lead vocal of Russian sensation; Reflex to begin a life as a solo artist in a new land. This exotic Siberian songbird is now ready to make her U.S. debut with her first U.S. yet-to-be named album due in early October, 2009.”
All Access Magazine was granted the opportunity to sit down and talk to Irene about her passion for music as well as her plans for her next adventure here in the United States.
All Access Magazine (AAM): What do you hope the future holds for Irene Nelson?
Irene Nelson: I try to sing about eternal values, for example I have a song about good and evil, true freedom and of course about love. Sometimes it’s not only physical love, like in my lyrics of Sunrise, I am talking about spiritual love. I sing about two souls that are not afraid of death because they share love that is immortal rather than a fading type of love. I hope that all of my songs will live longer than just a seasonal heat, I want them to be deathless.
AAM: How have fans in your native country of Russia as well as the US responded to your music so far and is there any plans for a possible CD release and any possible name for the CD and when are you hoping to release the CD?
Irene Nelson: I have been receiving a lot of feedback on my Myspace blog and my Sunrise music video on Youtube from Russian and US fans this to me is a way of letting me know that they are responding to my music on a positive level. Right now we are working on many new great songs and we are definitely going to release a new single any time now but my full length album will be released around March of 2010. I have a song called 'Apples fall to the Sky,' why to the sky? maybe you will understand that later.
AAM: How long have you known that music was your passion and where does your inspirations come from?
Irene Nelson: My first performance was when I was 3 years old, when my grandmother took me on her knees and asked me to sing any song, I sang my own melody, I remember that my voice was very high pitched and from that day on, I knew that music was a passion of mine. Most of my inspirations come from American Jazz singers and rock music as well as my experiences as a musician. My musical journey began when I was a soloist in the school band, from there I created a student Rock band where I was the lead singer and keyboardist. It was a great time for me because of the friendships and the amount of fun I had making music. All of this inspired me to really experiment with music and experiment with it creatively. This time of my life was wonderful...Then I began pursuing a professional career in music in a business oriented way...
AAM: What made you realize you wanted to branch out on your own and how tough of a decision was that to leave your band Reflex back in 2007?
Irene Nelson: It was a very hard decision because when I left Reflex, we were at the peak of our musical career. In Reflex I was more of a centerfold girl showing my sexuality, which helped me get rid of my insecurities and complexities. This motivated me to leave Reflex and become a solo artist because now I can show my talent as a creative being. Now I feel more confident and stable. My solo project has a different conception and a totally different sound, my lyrics are deeper and they have more meaning to them. I am still composing songs that generate ideas that are inspirational to others. In addition to being a Russian star, I decided to branch out internationally.
AAM: How will you try to differentiate yourself from other female pop/rock stars that are out there trying to pack in arenas?
Irene Nelson: It is a pleasure for me to know that many great producers and musicians tell me that I have a distinct voice. It helps me. But actually, the most important thing is the belief of being extraordinary and to have fun.
AAM: Are you more the type of person that wants the Glitz and Glamour of packed arenas or do you prefer more intimate crowds?
Irene Nelson: If an artist has a clear idea and he has something to say to the people It doesn't matter if the massage will reach one person or a million. Value of the idea is the most important.
AAM: How has your past inspired you to make the changes you want to make a difference in the music industry, and what changes would you like to see?
Irene Nelson: I want to ship all the music pirates to an uninhabited island and leave them cell phoneless... Actually I particularly like the U.S. music industry, it's a great model and example for other countries.
AAM: How can fans of AAM and elsewhere keep up with Irene Nelson and what she is up to?
Irene Nelson: The best place would have to be my MySpace page: www.myspace.com/irenenelson and my website: www.irene-nelson.com and my twitter account: www.twitter.com/irenenelson
Here I will let my fans know exactly what I am up with because I feel that it is important for me to let everyone know what I am up to.
AAM: One last question for you before you go, All Access Magazine would like to Thank Irene Nelson for taking the time to talk to our readers, is there anything you would like to add to this interview?
Irene Nelson: I would like to wish you all to be beautiful like Angelina Jolie, clever like Barack Obama, to go on a date with Orlando Bloom and to be safe with your bodyguard like Arnold Schwarzenegger (laughing). May cheerful laughter be your life habit.
In my honest opinion I feel that once Irene’s music hits the stage as well as the airwaves she will prove to be Pop’s next biggest Breakout Star and Sensation.
