Check out our interview with talented dance-pop singer and songwriter Minelli who just released her new album Silver & Gold – Chapter II.
Minelli is one of the most successful Eastern European singers and songwriters, having written many hits for famous artists, such as INNA, Bastard and SICKOTOY. Her singles “Rampampam” & “Nothing Hurts”dominated the music charts globally, cumulating over 185 million streams and more than 350 million views. Minelli collaborated with renowned artists like R3HAB on “Deep Sea” and esteemed producers Freedo (Chainsmokers, Rita Ora, Galantis, Ava Max), Jordan Shaw (Afrojack, Armin van Buuren) and Yoshi Breen (Tiesto, Karol G, Lost Frequencies) on Silver & Gold – Chapter II.
Follow Minelli @minellimusic
Hi Minelli, please describe yourself in 3 words?
Persistent, ambitious and creative.
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
Music is my passion since forever and I started to do it more seriously when I was 16 and moved to Bucharest. I’ve tried many projects until I figured out that I want to focus on myself, so I started to develop me and my own project. I started writing for other artists but it was just a matter of time until I began writing for me too.
How has this changed your life?
Even though this road was (and still is) full of ups and downs, I never saw myself doing anything else and I’m very grateful that right now I’m able to live my dream.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Powerful, catchy and danceable.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I don’t have a role model, but I do love many artists like John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Sade, Sting, Bruno Mars, Anne Marie, etc that influenced my style of writing and my taste in music. When I was little music was everything for me and it became naturally to stay on this road and to pursue this dream.
Do you play any instruments?
Unfortunately no and maybe that’s my biggest regret, that I didn’t t study an instrument when I was a kid, because right now it’s a little difficult to focus and get over the standard few chords.
Do you ever get nervous when performing or just in life?
Yes, for sure, always before going on stage, but for like 2 minutes and after that I feel free and I enjoy every second spent on the stage.
Tell us about your new album “Silver & Gold – Chapter II?”
This album is something very personal for me and I’d love to think that the people will get to know me a little, because I’ve put my soul into every song. Its sound is very complex and varies because I’ve worked with different talented people from different countries like Romania, Germany, UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and I really hope that “Silver and gold” will bring joy to everyone listening to it.
What’s the story behind the songs?
Most of them are love songs, because for me love is the most important and beautiful feeling we can experience in our lives. I tried to go through many stages of a relationship, people’s love or break up stories or life in general.
Tell us about the huge success of your previous singles “Rampampam” & “Nothing Hurts?” Big congrats!
Thanks! Rampampam was a game changer for me, I’ve travelled so much because of it and for sure this song introduced me to the world. Now, two years later, I’m still amazed by the reactions I get every time I perform it.
Nothing hurts is such a catchy tune, I wrote it with Freedo and Jordan Shaw on a rainy afternoon in London and I still remember that I instantly knew I’m going to release it. Once you hear it you get stuck with it.
How was collaborating with big names in the industry like R3HAB?
We tried to collaborate earlier for a Rampampam remix, but because of our tight schedules it was not happening. Deep Sea I also wrote on a London session with Freedo, I sent it to R3HAB if he wanted to jump on it. So he did his magic too and we released it and performed it together at the Saga Festival in Romania where we also shot the video. It’s easy to work with people who are on the same page, where the chemistry is just there like with R3HAB.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
To see how lots of people are singing and vibing to the songs that I wrote, that’s the best feeling ever for me.
If you weren’t famous, what would you be up to right now?
Probably also writing songs, not leaving the studio or definitely something art related, maybe an interior or a jewellery designer and I do have in mind to release my own piercing collection, because I love love love jewellery.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
To stay humble and focused and to mind your own business.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
To be more confident, because I’ve struggled with that when I was younger and maybe to say No more often.
How would your best friend describe you?
Fun, loving and loyal.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“Believe, insist, succeed” because these 3 words define the past few years and my whole music journey.
What’s next for Minelli in 2023?
Many festivals where I can’t wait to perform, many releases and maybe some features.
What is your favourite food or meal to keep healthy and what’s one cheat food you can’t help indulging in?
Fish with asparagus and second: it’s all about pasta in all forms and sizes, yummy yummy yummy.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Urban glam, I love combining casual urban items with glam/high end accessories or heels in some situations.
Do you have your own definition of happiness and when do you find yourself at your happiest?
For me happiness is to be able to live my passion. I really can find happiness in simple things like a good coffee, a long walk, traveling the world. Right now I’m very happy and grateful for everything happening in my life.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Frank Sinatra, I’d love to sing with him one of my favorite songs “I’ve got you under my skin” and if we’re talkin about someone living, maybe Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars or Anne Marie.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Hmm, I’d love to go to Japan with my family.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given or best advice you could give?
Work a lot and have patience.
Do you support any charities, are there any close to your heart?
I do support a charity in Romania, they built hospitals for children. But I try to help as much as I can every time I can, everyone I can.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I don’t really know, I will still be implicated in music for sure, but honestly I am not into long term plans.
What is your favourite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Something old school like “I say a little prayer for you” by Aretha Franklin or The Fugees “Killing me softly” or Sting “Shape of my heart” or Frank Sinatra “I ve got you under my skin” and many more.
What do you think of social media?
It’s all about social media nowadays, so you gotta pay attention to everything related to it, even though sometimes it gets a bit exhausting.
Which social medias are you most active on and where can we follow you?
I’m active the most on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
And finally, we’ve love to know your current favourite:
Book: I loved so much “And then there were none” Agatha Christie, currently I loved Andre Agassi’s biography.
Quote: Good vibes only
Movie: The Intouchables, Face off, Green Mile, The Godfather, The Benjamin Button, The Notebook, lately I loved the one called “Let him go”
Tv Series: there are many so I gotta mention Handmades tale, Ozark, Game of thrones, La casa de papel, Narcos, Vikings
Food: Pasta forever
Sports Team: don’t have one
Photo Credit: Tibi Clenci @tibiclenci
