Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Aurilia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Raquel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always wanted to be a singer but didn’t know how to get started. My friend introduced me to a producer named Tony Papa (Grammy winner -James Brown, Wierd Al Yankovich) who sent me a track to try and we went in the studio and ended up doing my first album, “Finding My Way.” We released my first single, Feels Like, which did really well reaching #28 on the Hot AC Billboard and the R & R Charts. From there I was fortunate enough to meet people along the way in the industry and booked my first big gig opening for B.B. King! A few years later, I was looking for a local band to do gigs with and met Grammy Award Winner Gardner Cole (Amy Grant, Jodi Watley, Madonna) and he asked if I wanted to write together. I had never written before but decided to try and long story short, we ended up co-writing my second album, “Holding on to Love,” with Billy Trudel on some tracks as well. it was cool once I started writing because I never knew I could!
Doing as many gigs as possible along my journey, I have been fortunate enough to open for some pretty awesome Artists including John Waite, Lisa Loeb, Kenny Loggins, Pat Benatar, etc. My longest tour was with John Waite, opening for him for over 25 shows! This was such a great time for me and I have so much respect for John & his amazing band who were so good to me and my band! Such a class act! Meanwhile, I have recorded 3 albums so far, my last one “Long Way Home’,” with Producer Billy Smiley, and 3 singles with Michael Lattanzi (both producers are from Nashville). I am planning on releasing my next EP this year, heading to Nashville in Feb. for more gigs, co-writing & looking to shop some of my songs to other artists as well!
Has it been a smooth road?
The music industry is a tough one. I have worked hard to try and find the “right people” to work with. This is tough as an artist since I have been doing this on my own without a big label so I have to find out the hard way sometimes through trial and error who is trustworthy and who isn’t. The most challenging part so far has been finding booking!! I have been fortunate to book gigs without an actual booking agent but it’s a lot of work! Sometimes I’ll find the gig myself, get a gig from someone I know who helps facilitate this or I will get a gig from another gig I did where someone saw me perform! Whatever works. 🙂 I love what I do though, so I’ll continue to work on my craft and put in the work necessary to try and find more & more opportunities for gigs and co-writing with different people!
Please tell us about your music.
As an Independent Artist, I run my label so it’s a lot of work So, if I want to be successful in this industry it requires a lot of time organizing everything including shows, Social Media, promos, bookings, etc. and finding the right people to help me, which I have. Right now, I work with just a couple of people that help me with Social Media and Marketing which is so important.
I am most proud of the things I have been able to accomplish so far on my own without having a Manager, Booking Agent or a Bigger Label on board!! I am so grateful for the many opportunities I have had!!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The things that I like most about our city are all the awesome restaurants and places to go! I am a big foodie so I love trying new restaurants and love the fact that it is easy to get around here. The thing I like least about our city is that we don’t have a Beach- lol! I do love the water, but love AZ too!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.raquelaurilia.com
- Email: raquelaurilia@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/raquelaurila
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/raquelaurilia
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/raquelaurilia
- Yelp: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Zromf5rQEKfp5ocySlmvY
- Other: www.youtube.com/raquelaurilia
Image Credit:
Janice Schmitt
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