Melissa Otero

Artist Information

Biography

With over 25,000 downloads sold during the first quarter of 2013, Melissa Otero is an internationally acclaimed musical artist in both the Latin and Pop/Rock world. Born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, Melissa felt compelled to honor both her American and Latin roots in her music by writing and performing in both English and Spanish. She released her first single "My First Everything" in 2006 which became the #1 single for two consecutive weeks on Hot 96 in Portland, Oregon. Fueled by the success of the single, she immediately released the Spanish version “Mi Primer Amor” together in her first EP and it instantly became a favorite in Colombia with over 500 downloads in it’s first few weeks.

On Christmas day in 2008, her first LP was released titled “My Spirit” and it received massive radio airplay in parts of Western Europe, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the US. This lead to her first US tour visiting the states of Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York and Florida. The single “10:40pm” was an instant success on tour, becoming the most demanded song for her to perform live with its dramatic chord progressions and solid classic rock ballad feel.

By 2010, Melissa had toured the US, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. She was ready to start work on her next album and the tour brought fresh insight and inspiration. Melissa began working on a new song entitled "Angels and Demons." She teamed with producer Stefan Moessle of Secret Sounds to create the musical arrangement that accompanies the song. They worked hard to develop the dark and sexy instrumentation that would later define Melissa’s innate sound.

While the song had yet to be released officially, it was chosen to be a part of the Sonicbids Indie Showcase on US Airways during the summer of 2011. The opportunity became a great promotional tool as an audience was finding their way to Melissa’s music. In April 2012, the official music video was released on VEVO making Melissa one of the first independent artists to release a music video with the giant video company. Within a few weeks, the video had received close to 50,000 views and the single was becoming a tremendous success for her career.

Due to the success on VEVO and YouTube, Melissa was growing a demand and she went on her first official tour with her musicians titled the Angels and Demons Tour. There, they performed in many major Latin music festivals including several Puerto Rican Day Parades in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut as well as the Brown County Fair in Wisconsin, the NJ State Fair, Six Flags Great Adventure and the Latin Music Festival in Elizabeth, NJ; her birth town, which brought an attendance of several thousand fans.

In October 2012, almost immediately after the success of her tour, Angels and Demons was released on the Rock Band® Network, making it the 4,001 song on their roster. During the same time, the producers from the Lifetime reality show Dance Moms took notice of the track and decided to include it in their following season. On January 1st, 2013, Angels and Demons debuted on Dance Moms, their third season premier with 2.8 million viewers. It was the shows most viewed premier to date, making it a huge success for both Lifetime TV and Melissa. The song was used for the group performance in the In10city Dance Competition in Denver, Colorado.

Instrumentation

Melissa Otero - Vocals, Bass, Piano, keyboard, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Styles - Lead Guitar
Keith Kings - Drums
Chris Caracciolo - Bass, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar

Discography

"Phantom of My Heart - Angel at Dawn Remix" - Released November 12, 2010

"My Spirit" LP - Released December 25, 2008

"My First Everything" EP - Released July 2006


Singles:
"Angels and Demons" - April 10th, 2012
"Tu Corazón" - June 2012
"10:40pm"
"My First Everything"
"Not Lost Anymore"
"Phantom of My Heart"
"Phantom of My Heart Remix"

Official Website

http://www.melissaotero.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• YouTube
• VEVO

Audio

• Angels and Demons - Radio Edit
  Listen  
• White Line Fever
  Listen  
• Breathe Without Me
  Listen  
• Closer
  Listen  
• With You AUG29
  Listen  
• It's You
  Listen  
• Tu Corazon
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Angels & Demons
• It's You

Video

Worth It All - Live at Streetlight Records

Song: Closer - Melissa Otero at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Photo Gallery

Press

• RBN Highlights: Melissa Otero, Devin Townsend, Paul and Storm [+ Show ]
  

  Amongst the metal onslaught this week resides this 80 MSP gem. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Melissa Ote...Amongst the metal onslaught this week resides this 80 MSP gem. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Melissa Otero’s newest single is a track that packs a hell of a punch. Recalling bands like Evanescence and even Lisa Miskovsky’s ‘Still Alive’, written for Mirror’s Edge, Angels and Demons has a fantastic vocal parts alongside a keyboard chart that’s as varied as it is satisfying.
  
  The vocals, complete with understated but thoroughly enjoyable harmonies, are definitely front and center in the mix. The instrumentation is fairly sparse, giving the vocals prominence. An electronic drum beat pounds out the rhythm, deceiving you into expecting a thumping club classic. Once the first chorus hits you’ll realise that it’s a well-produced, catchy tune – the shiver down your spine as the chorus washes over you is what reminded me most of Mirror’s Edge and it’s main theme.
  
  Keys are definitely the other highlight here – there’s enough variety to keep you interested. It’s always good when you can pick out melodies that might otherwise go unnoticed. Drums, bass and guitar shouldn’t be discounted, however – they all present a fairly easy set of note patterns but are well worth playing, if only to hear them boosted in the mix. I was pleasantly surprised with the song – something I’d probably pass over by name alone. However, on listening and playing Angels and Demons is a definite recommendation for those looking for more female-fronted vocals or just good songs in general.
  
  (On the Lisa Miskovsky note, here’s hoping Still Alive makes it on the RBN someday!)
  
  Sounds like: Evanescence, Lisa Miskovsky
  Perfect for: Vocalists, keys

• Melissa Otero: “Angels and Demons” [+ Show ]
  

  Independent Latina singer Melissa Otero is a girl with a very big voice indeed, and the release of h...Independent Latina singer Melissa Otero is a girl with a very big voice indeed, and the release of her single “Angels and Demons”, which was produced by Stefan Moessle and Melissa herself, ceraintly certifies this beyond any reasonable doubt. The song released through Island Def Jam Digital Distribution was also penned by Melissa Otero, who wrote both the music and lyrics to this powerhouse pop ballad. Subsequently also conferming that over and above her already above-mentioned very big voice, she is a very big all-round musical talent to boot.
  
  “Angels and Demons” instantly takes you on an all too familiar oddysey through the joys and agonies of love and betrayal, as Melissa leads you to the dynamic and forceful chorus line vocal:
  
  ‘Cos I’m no angel
  I have two faces
  I put one on for you
  Put one on for me
  These angels and demons won’t set me free’
  
  The song is very reminiscent of some of the best vocal performance ballads by the likes of Celine Dion and Leona Lewis. The purity of Ms.Otero’s voice and the emotion in her delivery is perfect. In places during the soaring chorus arrangements of “Angels and Demons” her impassioned singing becomes almost spine chilling.
  
  Quite seriously, if you scrutinize any current day Billboard Chart, you wouldn’t find many better a singer than Melissa Otero.
  
  Industry insiders should be keeping a watchful eye on Melissa’s career moves, as her talent will no doubt allow her to make mighty musical waves in the near future.

• US Airways to Feature Latina Singer Melissa Otero's New Single 'Angels and Demons' [+ Show ]
  

  Keneritz Media heralds the announcement of independent Latina singer Melissa Otero, and the release ...Keneritz Media heralds the announcement of independent Latina singer Melissa Otero, and the release of her single “Angels and Demons”.
  
  Melissa is already a hit among deejays and listeners in Caribbean and the US, and “Angels and Demons” will soon populate airwaves worldwide. Listen to the song and travel along familiar territory of love and betrayal, redemption and forgiveness.
  
  What should you do when you’re unsure of yourself? What should you do when the line between good and bad is blurred? These are the experiences and feelings that permeate the song and eventually your mind. Melissa answers these questions with her powerful lyrics backed by Chris Caracciolo’s stirring electric guitar.
  
  After her appearance at the 2010 Latin Billboards in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Melissa's exposure on the Telemundo event helped place her previous song “Fantasma de Mi Corazón” on several terrestrial AM and FM radio stations.
  
  Melissa will be featured as one of the “Sonicbids Indie Showcase” artists and “Angels & Demons” will play US Airways Sky Radio during the months of July and August 2011 on national and international flights.
  
  “Angels and Demons” was produced Melissa Otero and Stefan Moessle (Secret Sounds), music and lyrics by Melissa Otero. The song will be released through Island Def Jam Digital Distribution.
  
  Download the track at angels.melissaotero.com

• Melissa Otero - "Angels and Demons" DJ Amaya Remix [+ Show ]
  

  We’ve been getting so many amazing submissions lately that we’re having a difficult time keeping up!...We’ve been getting so many amazing submissions lately that we’re having a difficult time keeping up! Don’t worry though, we listen to every single song that gets sent to us, so don’t despair if we don’t respond to you right away.
  
  Anyway, Melissa Otero is a really talented vocalist who possesses a voice not often heard in modern dance music. It has a little bit of a deeper pitch that reminds me of some 90s pop singers. While this is not the most intricate of productions, it is well done, and allows Otero’s voice really shine. Overall, just a great house track, and I do love the glitched out intro which really edges up the song.

• JUNE 2011 SONICBIDS “ARTISTS 2 WATCH” [+ Show ]
  

  Skope: What does it mean to be an A2W artist? Melissa Otero: Wow! It means I’m finally doing someth...Skope: What does it mean to be an A2W artist?
  Melissa Otero: Wow! It means I’m finally doing something right with my music and people are really digging my sound. It’s taken many years of music development to finally be considered an “Artist to Watch”!
  
  Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
  Melissa Otero: I am still working on my second album but right now I am promoting two songs. The first single is “Angels & Demons” which has been by far the most popular one with it’s epic dark, sexy sound and deep lyrics. The second is my Spanish single “Tu Corazón” which the Latin community has embraced. It’s a “feel good” song about loving oneself and knowing that by achieving that love, you can then love others and only positivity would surround you. The song is also in English (“It’s You”) but we aren’t promoting it as of yet.
  
  Skope: Does it bother you when fans download your music without paying?
  Melissa Otero: Not really. I understand the industry is constantly changing and I believe there will be a time when music will no longer be sold. Artists will be making their money touring years on end and selling merchandise, doing meet and greets, things like that.
  
  Skope: What drives you everyday to play & record music?
  Melissa Otero: The therapy that comes with it. If I can make you feel good with my music, I’ve accomplished a part of my goal. I believe every musician should be emotionally attached to their music and most of my songs have been inspired by things that have either happened to me or I’ve seen happen with some of my closest friends and family not to mention it’s SO MUCH FUN!
  
  Skope: Do you feel shows like American Idol and The Voice are legitimate and would you ever go on the shows?
  Melissa Otero: Ha! I actually auditioned FIVE times for American Idol and then got bored of it. American Idol is a hard competition to even past the first round. I saw thousands of talented singers not pass the first round and well, it’s all luck in that show. Same goes for The Voice but I find that The Voice has a much better concept. To be mentored by one of your idols would be a DREAM! Celine, are you gonna be on The Voice anytime soon? ;)
  
  Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
  Melissa Otero: I’m gearing up to go back to New York City to perform at the 116th Street Festival on July 29th and the Carnaval de Loiza Aldea on August 7th. In between that I have a radio promotion tour in the area and after that I go to Chicago to perform at Six Flags on Labor Day. To keep updated with all my gigs and such, you can find me at www.melissaotero.com and on www.facebook.com/melissaoteromusic

• Astorian sings of faith, depression on new CD [+ Show ]
  

  Latina singer and songwriter Melissa Otero celebrated the release of her debut album “My Spirit” in ...Latina singer and songwriter Melissa Otero celebrated the release of her debut album “My Spirit” in January. She finds it difficult to contain her joy, which is validated not only by her rising success, but also by a more personal triumph.
  
  “My music is not Christian,” Otero said. “But my beliefs definitely helped me with my own therapy.”
  
  Like many people, the Astoria resident has dealt with some emotional hardships — namely, depression. Though some turn to professional counsel for their blues, or even medication, Otero, 28, sought solace through something more spiritual: a new religious awakening. In doing so, she conjured up the inspiration to create and promote “My Spirit,” an honest collection of songs that emerge with a light contemporary feel and evolve toward a darker pop rock with the progression of the album.
  
  “It’s still hard to sing some of these songs, but I feel like I needed to do it,” Otero said.
  
  As it is, each song acts as a reminder of the darkest days of her depression. Otero wrote some of the tracks during her lowest moments, and some of them throughout her religious transformation. “My Spirit” encompasses the last five years of her life, hence the range of the album.
  
  “Everything I write is because of Him. It’s my word, but through Him,” Otero said, referring to God himself. But there is another “him” in the equation, as there often is with women, especially artists. And it’s a heartbreaking “him” of this world — an ex. Many of the songs are derived from that whirlwind of emotion that comes with stepping away from someone close to your heart. This may be one of the reasons why fans find Otero’s music relatable.
  
  “Once, while performing, this one girl came up to me after I sang the song ‘Free’ and said, ‘This is the song. This is the song that is going to help me,’” Otero said.
  
  It may be Otero’s willingness to open up completely that will emerge as her great strength as a songwriter. She is quick to point out that this is a conscious element of her writing.
  
  “My goal with the album is to relate to other people. Some songwriters are vague. Sarah McLachlan writes about personal experiences, but her lyrics are too mysterious for many people relate to. Mine are more direct,” Otero said, adding that she has experienced happiness and sadness, and would like to reach people going through similar problems.
  
  Five years after her birth in Elizabeth, N.J., Otero’s family picked up and moved to Puerto Rico, the country of her heritage. Her encounter with Hispanic pop was the first kiss of her love affair with music.
  
  “My mother was always dancing and had music on at that time. That’s when I starting listening to Gloria Estefan,” Otero said. Within no time, Otero voiced her dreams of becoming a singer and was met by warnings from her family of the difficult lifestyle they promised.
  
  Regardless, the aspiring musician took vocal and piano lessons, and soon began performing at a local level in Puerto Rico. She sang mostly in Spanish but occasionally in English. Her bilingual ability drew attention to her performances.
  
  “As a teenager I was able to perform in places all over the island, so I was pretty well known. I was the only one singing in English rather than Spanish. By the time I was a teen, American music was popular. So I could always find a venue,” Otero said.
  
  But as her adolescence dwindled, so did her satisfaction with her modest career. At 21, Otero returned to the States to settle in New York, and it was here that her aspirations took off. An Astoria resident for two years, Otero has enjoyed riding the New York City music circuit, performing at various clubs throughout Manhattan.
  
  “I’ve been around Greenwich Village — Kenny’s Castaways, Uncle Mike’s. Now that the album was released, I will build a schedule to perform around the city,” Otero said excitedly, adding “I love performing live, it’s such a therapy for me.” Otero took the fall and winter of 2008 to finish “My Spirit,” and is anxious to jump back into the limelight.
  
  Otero also performs as a backup singer for the Latina pop singer Brendaly, who Otero says has the kind of financial backing with Universal records that she’d love to have. “[She] loves my music as well. So we’re talking. Maybe my next album will be interesting!” Otero said.
  
  As for that next album, for the time being Otero is keeping her focus on “My Spirit.” But in six months, she plans to start writing her second album, with an anticipated release in 2010.
  
  “I don’t need crazy type of fame. I’d love a career like my idols Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion and Gloria Estefan,” Otero said, emphasizing her admiration for the sturdy, steady nature of their careers. “Every time they have a record, they sell the same amount of records because of their loyal fan base.”
  
  “My Spirit” can be purchased on the Internet — iTunes, Rhapsody, CDBaby.com or on her website, www.melissamusic.com.
  
  “I’ve wanted this since I was a kid. I did this almost all on my own, and I’m getting the response I’ve always dreamed of,” Otero said. “I can’t wait to reach more people.”
  
  This article has been changed since publication. Melissa Otero's age and information about Brendaly was corrected.

• La Voz Hispana Article [+ Show ]
  

  Con más de 10 años en la música moderna, la cantautora puertorriqueña, Melissa Otero, esperó pacie...Con más de 10 años en la música
  moderna, la cantautora puertorriqueña,
  Melissa Otero, esperó pacientemente a
  tener su primer disco en el mercado bajo
  un título muy sugestivo “My Spirit”, que
  representa específicamente el espíritu de
  esta talentosa joven nacida en Yauco,
  Puerto Rico, y quien desde muy temprana
  edad denotó que había nacido para cantar,
  y proyectarse en el mundo musical.
  Nos reunimos con Melissa en las
  oficinas de La Voz Hispana en la calle 116
  en El Barrio, y puntualmente llegó a la cita
  portando un portafolio con fotos, discos e
  información sobre su carrera artística,
  dispuesta a someterse a unas preguntas de
  parte de un servidor.
  Melissa es una joven con un porte
  elegante, jovial, poseedora de una sonrisa
  encantadora, aunque confiesa que está
  pasadita de peso, y debe someterse a
  ejercicio y dieta para superar la imagen y
  comenzar a promocionar su producción
  discográfica de la cual nos cuenta cosas
  maravillosas que están pasando actualmente
  a nivel internacional. “Me satisface
  mucho ya tener mi primer disco, después
  de grandes esfuerzos en poder lograrlo y
  el cual me sirve como presentación a otros
  mercados. Los 12 temas son todos de mi
  autoría, y fue producido en diferentes
  estudios de grabación en New Jersey, New
  York y en México, donde realicé las
  mezclas de algunos temas. Ahora mismo
  las canciones “10:40pm” y “Mi primer
  amor” se escuchan en la radio de Colombia
  y Argentina, y en Europa; un locutor que
  le encantó la producción, tiene programado
  el tema “10:40pm”, que es uno de los más
  fuertes en popularidad.”
  Ella nos cuenta que cada una de esas
  canciones que compone su primera
  grabación, son basadas en su vida sentimental
  y privada, reflejándose principalmente
  en “10:40pm”, “My First
  Everything”, “Free”, “You Save Me” y
  “Libre”. Melissa se declara como una mujer
  romántica, comunicadora, amiga, con una
  fe muy alta después de haber salido de una
  depresión, y dispuesta a luchar por lo que
  se quiere y se puede obtener.
  Nos revela que aunque su música no es
  cristiana, su creencia la ayuda como una
  terapia propia y definitivamente la hace
  creer y crecer espiritualmente en su vida
  conjugándose con su música. Por ejemplo
  nos recalca que en el tema “My Spirit” la
  ayudó enormemente a crear esa espiritualidad
  de la que hace mención. “Realmente
  me es difícil a veces cantar “My Spirit” y
  otros de mis temas en la grabación, porque
  ejercen en mí un sentir muy emocional
  porque fueron escritas en momentos
  difíciles en mi vida, y durante mi transformación
  en la religión que profeso. Todavía
  me es difícil cantarlas, pero siento que me
  gusta interpretarlas y ponerles toda la
  emoción requerida dentro del genero pop”.
  Melissa Otero, nació en Elizabeth, New
  Jersey; luego sus padres decidieron volver
  a Puerto Rico donde fue encariñándose con
  la música pop hispana. Recuerda que su
  madre todo el tiempo bailaba y escuchaba
  música deleitándose grandemente. Ese fue
  el tiempo que comenzó a escuchar las
  canciones de Gloria Estefan, y fue como
  un respaldo a sus inquietudes de convertirse
  en una figura de la canción pop. Así
  empezó a estudiar piano y vocalización, y
  hacer presentaciones en Puerto Rico.
  Siendo ya una adolescente de 21 años de
  edad, toma la decisión de volver a los
  Estados Unidos, intalándose en Seattle,
  New York, para luego mudarse a Astoria,
  Queens, donde vive desde hace dos años.
  Actualmente mantiene un trabajo con el
  Circuito Musical de la ciudad de Nueva
  York, hace presentaciones en algunos
  centros nocturnos, y se encuentra entregada
  tenazmente a la promoción de su nuevo
  disco. Finalmente ella nos dice que no se
  volvería loca si la fama alguna vez toca a
  sus puertas, pero que admira grandemente
  a sus ídolos Sarah McLachian, Celine Dion
  y Gloria Estefan.

Setlist

Angels and Demons
White Line Fever
Through The Broken Glass
Heart Attack
Breathe Without Me
Return
Tu Corazón
With You (Contigo)
The One I Want
My First Everything
Not Lost Anymore
I'd Do Anything
Spellbound
Drowning In My Tears
It's You / Tu Corazon
Free
I Miss You
I Promise
10:40pm
Worth It All

Covers:
Hot Summer Nights

Other covers that are able to be performed upon request:

Melissa Otero - Repertoire 2013

1. Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
2. One and Only - Adele
3. Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
4. My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
5. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
6. Walk Away – Kelly Clarkson
7. Paparazzi – Lady Gaga
8. Mercy – Duffy
9. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
10. I’m Alive – Celine Dion
11. I Drove All Night – Celine Dion
12. That’s The Way It Is - Celine Dion
13. I’ll Be There – Mariah Carey
14. Open Arms – Mariah Carey
15. Without You – Mariah Carey
16. Love You Like A Love Song – Selena Gomez
17. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
18. Circus – Britney Spears
19. Hold It Against Me – Britney Spears
20. Where Have You Been – Rihanna
21. Umbrella - Rihanna
22. On The Floor – Jennifer Lopez
23. Keeps Getting’ Better – Christina Aguilera
24. Conga – Gloria Estefan
25. Rhythm Is Gonna Get You – Gloria Estefan
26. Turn The Beat Around – Gloria Estefan
27. Mi Tierra – Gloria Estefan
28. Con Los Años Que Me Quedan – Gloria Estefan
29. Man! I Feel Like A Woman! - Shania Twain
30. You’re Still The One – Shania Twain
31. You’ve Got A Way – Shania Twain
32. It Must Have Been Love – Roxette
33. I Will Remember You – Amy Grant
34. Exhale (Shoop) – Whitney Houston
35. I Could Fall In Love – Selena
36. Dreaming of You - Selena
37. Amor Prohibido – Selena
38. Baila Esta Cumbia – Selena
39. Como La Flor – Selena
40. Tu, Solo Tu – Selena
41. Take My Breath Away – Berlin
42. Angel – Sarah McLachlan
43. Loving You Is Easy – Sarah McLachlan
44. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
45. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
46. Something To Talk About – Bonnie Raitt
47. Foolish Games – Jewel
48. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
49. No One – Alicia Keys
50. Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
51. No – Ednita Nazario
52. Tres Deseos – Ednita Nazario
53. Objection – Shakira
54. Loca – Shakira
55. La Tortura – Shakira
56. Quiero Estar Contigo – Gisselle
57. Es Mentiroso – Olga Tañon
58. Mi Eterno Amor Secreto – Olga Tañon
59. Receta Del Amor – Olga Tañon
60. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
61. Crazy – Patsy Cline
62. Ooh La La – Goldfrapp
63. Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
64. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
65. My Favorite Mistake – Sheryl Crow
66. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera
67. When I Fall In Love – Celine Dion
68. A Whiter Shade of Pale – Annie Lennox
69. My Immortal – Evanescence
70. Uninvited – Alanis Morissette
71. Criminal – Fiona Apple
72. First Taste – Fiona Apple
73. Alone – Heart
74. Don’t Speak – No Doubt
75. Tik Tok – Ke$ha
76. Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
77. I Will Love Again – Lara Fabian
78. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
79. Y Yo Sigo Aqui – Paulina Rubio
80. Causa Y Effecto – Paulina Rubio
81. Don’t Cha – Pussycat Dolls
82. Love Song – Sara Bareilles
83. Piel Morena – Thalia
84. Somebody I Used To Know – Gotye feat. Kimbra
85. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
86. The Game of Love – Carlos Santana feat. Michelle Branch
87. Killing Me Softly – Fugees
88. Lady Marmalade – Patti LaBelle
89. Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston

Basic Requirements

Calendar