Set to drop this week, we sat down with Malena Pérez before the release of her artist debut 'STARS' to talk about the making of this ambitious album, what it means to her and what she hopes listeners will take away from it. Available now digitally at iTunes and physically at the Giantstepstore, the praises have already started to come in for this talented up-and-coming artist.

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GIANT STEP: As a writer, producer and arranger for your new album STARS, you clearly put a lot of love into this project. What kept you motivated throughout the process and what does STARS mean to you?

MALENA PÉREZ: I remember the first time I told my mother, "I really think I'm going to pursue this (the music). I think it's what I'm supposed to do." And she, who has never "pushed" me to pursue any one thing - she's always been supportive while letting me find my way, said, "I was wondering when you were going to tell me that... that music was your true calling." From that conversation forward, I began to really think seriously about the songs I was writing, how I would go about getting them out there, how I was going to "answer" this calling. That's the most honest answer I can give you... what's kept me motivated? I feel I have a duty to answer the call. Of course, music is the love of my life, and it in itself keeps me going, but so does the support of my family, especially my mother and sister, as well as the many beautiful people that I worked with in creating this record. Each of them have had an impact on my life in some way, and it's been a beautiful, sometimes difficult, but overall truly beautiful journey. STARS is the product of these relationships, the honest words that continue to come through to find the paper on which my pen is dancing, the journey of a girl into womanhood and the celebration of several facets of the human experience - love, loss, self-discovery, healing, sensuality and true JOY!

GS: What do you believe your tributes to traditional Cuban heritage add to the progressive sounds you’re creating?

MP: Well as Latinos, my generation lives a dual reality - on one hand, we've grown up on the music that our parents listened to - Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Afro-Cuban jazz in general - while on the other hand, of course we've been influenced by popular culture and exposure to electronica, hip hop, drum & bass and so on. For me, it feels right to combine the different elements - the Latin sounding flute with the deep house, the Afro-Cuban percussion with spoken word or dreamy keys, the English with the Spanish - it's not so much about trying to give a nod in respect to Cuban culture, rather, that culture, those rhythms, that language is IN me and so it's only natural that it all comes together. I love Everything But The Girl as much as I love Flora Purim and Minnie Riperton. It's an interesting mix, and I think upon a first listen, someone may wonder, "what's going on in this album?" But really, I feel comfortable writing, singing, performing across different genres, and I think STARS definitely reflects that (at least I hope it does!).

GS: What can we expect given the album’s highly collaborative efforts?

MP: Who knows?! This project is my baby, so of course my hopes for it are high. But what really makes me happy is the live element - looking someone in the eye and sharing that moment where they know and you know that we're all part of the same human experience; that the lyrics I'm singing to them at that moment perhaps resonate in some way depending on what they're going through. I feel that each song is a gem in its own right. I have trouble picking a "favorite." And yes, several hands and hearts touched the production of this album - hands that I chose carefully - so while there may be various different styles and sounds on this record, the theme - a consistent message of love - is the thread uniting each collaboration on the record.

GS: Having credited much of your musical talent and inspiration to your musically diverse childhood, did your parents get a first listen to the new album?

MP: My father was a DJ at night back in the day, so he has a sharp ear. He didn't get to listen until it was "FINISHED-FINISHED", cause I wanted it to be "me" and not what he wanted it to be (yeah, I'm a Taurus). There are some imperfections in some of the songs that we decided to leave in there intentionally, especially on songs like "Stars," which was recorded live. My mother, on the other hand, has been privy to the entire creative process. I don't know how many rough cuts she must have - probably about twenty different CDR's - but she listened, got excited with each baby step taken, made suggestions (usually something like, "turn your vocals UP!") and is already taking orders from all her friends so that they'll purchase the album when it drops. I think she's definitely my biggest fan.

GS: You fuse groovy Latin beats with your own engaged vulnerability, particularly in “Tomorrow.” What do you think this says about you as an artist and person?

MP: As an artist and as a person, I've usually tended to be open emotionally, hardworking with my efforts, generous with what knowledge I have about certain subjects, and yes, that does leave you vulnerable to an extent. But I still believe if you feel something for someone, you should say it, even if you do feel vulnerable. Or if you know something that could help someone in their life, you should share that information. We never really KNOW if we will even have a "tomorrow" - it's just an idea, really. I think since I started running Cubanita Groove and especially since STARS started taking shape, I've gotten a thicker skin, so to speak, cause even when you feel disheartened or that you can't go on, you have to know and BELIEVE inside yourself that you're serving a higher purpose and just keep it moving. The people standing next to you at the end of the journey... they're the ones that will have both witnessed your vulnerability and championed your strength. I'm blessed to have people like that in my life, especially now. I guess the “groovy Latin beats” somehow help to bring flavor and lightness to what sometimes might be heavy subjects to talk about or write about. And again, it's just honest. If you feel a groove, you feel it. If you don't, you don't. I usually know within the first 30 seconds of listening to a beat or a chord progression whether or not I feel it or want to write lyrics for it, or with the musicians that are playing. There are songs that we recorded that didn't make the cut, cause I just wasn't feeling them or something was just "too hard" about it. I would imagine it's like that for most artists that are really wanting to express themselves on a deeper level and not just catering to preconceived notions of what the public "wants" to hear.

GS: What was the significance behind choosing STARS for the album title?

MP: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, an amazing musician in his own right that played viola and keys on the record, and I stayed after a session one night at Carlos's studio, and he started playing this dreamy tune on the rhodes, and I started singing what ended up being the title track, "Stars". I will never forget that moment. I was so excited, and so was he, because it was just so beautiful and peaceful and CALM, and it made us slow down for a moment. It was probably the most memorable, beautiful collaborative writing experience I've ever had. Then, looking back through all my lyrics, I started to notice that the word "stars" is in several of the tracks on the record - like a mantra. At that point, I decided, "That’s it!" It all made sense. And lately, I've been thinking about the people involved in this record - really talented, beautiful people that are all stars, each and every one. It holds so many meanings for me; I could probably go on forever!

GS: Overall, what are you hoping the listeners will take away from the musical experience you are introducing with STARS?

MP: I would hope that it will touch them in some way - even if it's just a phrase in one song. The best compliment for me as an artist has always been that this or that song helped someone through a hard time, or that they're always playing my music in the car on the way to work or on the way home from work because it relaxes them, energizes them, makes them happy. For people to connect on an emotional level with something you've created - literally, something you wrote sitting on your sofa - is really, really special. I think STARS is a diverse collection of songs such that there's something for everyone... you want house music? We got house music! You want dreamy? I got dreamy! Sexy? You get what I'm sayin'... I just hope they feel the love with which the album was made, because after all, it's the product of one woman following a call - going into the unknown really, finding a way to bring these messages to life, give them a voice and deliver them with grace.

GS: As you prepare to tour, what cities are you most looking forward to playing?

MP: Hmmm... that's a tough one! Of course I love my hometown Atlanta and I truly look forward to sharing this album with the Atlanta music family, the supporters that have been with me through this from the beginning. Through my website and through MySpace - which I believe is an excellent networking and marketing tool for independent artists - I've received a lot of emails from cities all over the U.S. and overseas. I've never been to South America and I would love to tour there. I'd also love to hit the vibrant music scenes in London, Berlin and throughout Japan. Japan most definitely intrigues me - the culture, the food, the forward-thinking atmosphere... yeah, I would love to go to Japan!

GS: What’s next for Malena Pérez?

MP: New projects are already in the works. I'm in a creative "zone" at the moment, which feels good... writing new stuff and collaborating with other musicians and artists. And I'm working with Cubanita Groove's first signed artist, Jacqueline Marie, to develop her project, which will feature her soulful vocals over gritty hip hop beats, though we're still working with new ideas and trying different things. This is her first project so we want to make sure it comes off right! She has a strong sense of self and I can't wait for the world to hear her - she is truly amazing! Also in the works is a compilation project to be released later this year on Cubanita Groove, the first in a series called the Black Orchid Collective, which you'll be hearing more about soon. The proceeds from each Black Orchid release will go to benefit a women’s cause organization, such as the Joyful Heart Foundation, which counsels and provides retreats and other group activities for sexually abused women. Black Orchid / Volume I will feature independent female vocalists including Lizz Fields, Wayna, Trizonna McClendon, Jacqueline Marie and myself.

GS: What is your favorite Cuban delicacy?

MP: Mmmmmmm...... I'd have to say guava paste or shells with a dollop of cream cheese (this might be a Cuban-American thing, so for the purists out there, this is just a disclaimer!). The texture of guava is really fleshy and a little bit gritty. The best are the syrupy guava "shells". Eating them is a SERIOUS savory experience because of the taste and the texture.... so amazing.... it feels like love. Pure love. To describe it any other way would be an injustice.