Australian pop artist Arlene Zelina discusses her new single “Dream Of Me”, the making of the music video, catching the eye of Jason Derulo early on and what’s next for her
LA-based pop artist Arlene Zelina skyrocketed to success after posting a cover on YouTube of Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger”, which has racked up 14 million views to date, in 2011. Soon after the success of her cover, she caught the eye of Jason Derulo and manager Frank Harris, becoming the first Australian singer to be signed to their label Future History. Although she has posted plenty of covers, putting her own spin on popular songs, she also has begun writing original material. She began writing her won songs as a child and has been growing her skills ever since, both on her own and by collaborating with others. Zelina was born and raised in Australia and began singing and dancing at the age of 3. She has performed at high-profile events such as YouTube’s Next Generation event in Sydney and been featured on EllenTube.com by Ellen DeGeneres, RyanSeacrest.com and as a spotlight artist on YouTube. She has also worked with various award-winning producers who have worked with artists such as Selena Gomez, John Legend and Mary J Blige and have helped to mentor and shape her into the artist she is today. She recently released her latest original single “Dream Of Me”, a song that sees Zelina move in a more mature direction as a songwriter. With music that blends pop, hip hop and R&B, her mature sound experiments in urban pop with soulful undertones. When she’s not busy as a rising international solo artist, she can be found DJ’ing worldwide with her best friend Cobi Marsh as the DJ you AZ & MARSH. You can stay up-to-date with Arlene Zelina and all upcoming music and tour dates, as well as stream and purchase her music via the following links. Check out her video for “Dream Of Me” below.
Website- https://www.
Facebook- https://www.
Instagram- https://www.
Twitter- https://twitter.com/
SoundCloud- https://
iTunes/Apple Music- https://itunes.apple.
Your career skyrocketed following your cover of Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” that you posted to YouTube several years ago. Soon after, you caught the attention of Jason Derulo and manager Frank Harris, becoming the first Australian singer to be signed to their label Future History. What was that experience like for you? What do you feel like you learned while you were on their label and did you receive any advice from them that was especially valuable?
When I posted that video, I had no idea it would go viral. Soon after that, I was signed to Future History and the next chapter of my career began. It really was one of the most memorable and exciting experiences I’ve had. Working with someone so talented and so focused in his art taught me so much. One of the biggest take-aways was to never stop hustling. If you stop, someone is going to take your position in the industry. So you have to constantly grow and always push yourself to be a better artist. We had so many great times in the studio – even vocally I learned a lot!
What was the transition like for you to start to write original songs? What is your songwriting process? I read that you mostly write your songs yourself but have co-written songs with others. What usually leads you to write with others versus writing solo?
I started writing when I was really young. I was about 10 years old when I wrote my first song ‘My Best Friends’ about keeping in touch with all my Primary School friends. It’s funny to look back now but I started writing songs before I even knew that’s what I wanted to do. I absolutely love collaborating on writing projects. It’s so fun to be able to share experiences and bounce ideas around with people you love and trust. The songwriting process for me is ever changing as I learn and grow. At the moment, I start with the beat, come up with the melody and feel out the lyrics.
You recently released your new single “Dream Of Me” and have said that the song is a slightly new direction for you, in that it’s a little more mature than your previous releases. Was the new direction something you had been thinking about or was it more of a spontaneous decision?
I think I was always afraid to move in a more mature and honest direction. Releasing songs can be daunting when you actually talk about your experiences and your life. It’s a very vulnerable but also liberating process. The new direction was more a reflection on my maturity and growth within the industry. I like to continually learn and explore new sounds and push myself in ways I haven’t done before. So that’s how ‘Dream Of Me’ was born!
You have been singing and dancing since you were 3 and have performed as an adult at events such as YouTube’s Next Generation event in Sydney and various other high-profile events and venues. You have also worked with many great producers. How do you feel that all of these people and experiences have helped to shape you into the artist you are today?
Every time I work with a new producer or perform, I learn so much. Each experience helps shape me, whether it be from the mistakes I make or the successes I have. When I’m in the studio, producers push you in different ways so they always get a different vibe or sound out of you. That’s the most exciting part! I’m seriously grateful for everyone that has wanted to work with me and mentor me.
What can you tell me about the making of your video for “Dream Of Me”? Did you have an idea of how you wanted the video to look beforehand? How did you meet and come to work with director Adrian Alvarado?
I absolutely loved working on this music video! It was produced and written by some of my best friends. Charles Hopkins, who also co-wrote the song with me, came up with the idea of basing it off the Titanic scene where Rose says ‘Jack, I want you to draw me like one of your french girls’. That really is the premise to the whole video! I actually met Adrian through Instagram. I saw his worked, reached out, and the rest is history!
In 2015, you were flown to Austria for the Eurovision Song Contest as the Australian correspondent. What was that experience like for you, to be a correspondent, and how did the opportunity come about? You were able to explore the country and immerse yourself in the culture. What did you love most about Vienna and the Austrian culture and countryside?
This truly was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was my first time in Austria and I fell completely in love with the entire city. I travelled around to so many different locations and really explored the culture. Thanks to the Eurovision Song Contest, the atmosphere in the city was truly electric. The countryside was incredibly beautiful and lush and I even got to travel to all the locations where ‘The Sound Of Music’ was filmed. It’s safe to say I listened to that soundtrack for about a month straight after that.
Aside from your solo career, you also DJ with your friend Cobi Marsh as the DJ duo AZ & COBI. How did your interest in DJ’ing develop and what led the two of you to form the group? You are based in LA and DJ internationally. What led you to move to LA and where have some of your favorite travel destinations been?
Cobi is actually my best friend of almost 17 years. We met in High School back in Australia and have been inseparable ever since. We both have solo music careers but we always wanted to work together in some capacity and this just made so much sense. Nothing beats getting to perform and play music with your best friend. I moved to LA a few years ago because I have always loved California. The weather, the beaches, the night life, the restaurants. There is always something going on! But some of my other favorite travel destinations are Egypt, Positano, and New York.
Before moving to LA, you completed your bachelor of business degree in Marketing at Victoria University. How do you feel that your knowledge in Marketing has helped you as a musician and to navigate the music industry?
I feel so lucky I studied marketing! It’s helped me in more ways than I could ever describe. Being business minded in a creative industry gives you an upper hand – especially as an independent artist. What you are really doing as a musician is building a brand, so you have to know how to market yourself.
You have been referred to as one of Australia’s leading fashion icons! When did your love for fashion begin and how did you develop your sense of style? Who are some of your favorite designers and what are some of your favorite fashion trends?
Fashion is just another way to create your identity and express your personality. It’s been super fun experimenting with different trends. Some looks I got so wrong (haven’t we all?) but some I still love to this day! I’ve always been relatively eclectic when it comes to my style. It’s a combination of street mixed with a bold feminine flair. Right now I am loving the power suit and really enjoying vintage labels.
You did a mash-up recently of Ariana Grande’s “God Is A Woman” and “7 Rings”. How often do you do mash-ups and what is your process of combining 2 songs into one?
I’ve only done a couple of mashups combining 2 or more songs. I definitely want to start doing more in the future! It pushed boundaries in a good way and it allows me to be a lot more experimental and have fun with songs in a very original way.
What’s next for you?
This year I am working on a whole bunch of new material. I’ll be doing more covers, more videos and definitely more original songs! It’s going to be an exciting year. Stay tuned!
