When an artist from another country seeks to break into the U.S market it’s known as a “crossover”, but for Mexican based Ximena Sariana, the move to the U.S. is much more than an industry term.
Today in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area from 12:30 to 4 p.m., 90.5 The Kat will be hosting a general music trivia contest with the winner receiving two tickets to Sariana’s show at the House of Blues on May 1. The winner will attend a meet and greet with her and receive a Zune MP3 player.
“My music is my reality,” said Sariana. “I speak Spanish, but I listen to a lot of English music, and a lot of Spanish music with American influence.”
She began her entertainment career as a telanovela star at the age of four and her celebrity has spread throughout her home country. Sariana received a five week scholarship to the Berklee School of Music, and has always had a love for music.
“I think people can tell that I’m a very honest artist,” Sariana said. “I think that as long as you remain honest with music and that it’s what you want to 0do that you’re going to be okay.”
Last July, Sariana released her debut album, Mediocre, and has already accrued several accolades in the Mexican music market. Her album reached gold and platinum sales statues, while receiving nominations from The Grammy Awards, Latin Grammys and the Best New Artist Award at the Premios MTV Latinoamerica. The album even reached No. #2 on the Mexican Top 100 albums charts.
For Sariana, the competition of her debut album was an accolade in itself. “It’s something I’m very proud of. It symbolizes my ability to finish something I started,” said Sariana. “It’s a product of all these years of studying, and daring to take a step forward in my music.”
Mediocre is a Polaroid of aspects of Sariana’s life, and she wants her audience to find something they can identify with. Whether it be a lyric or a melody, as long as a listener finds something appealing she is satisfied.
“I’m not even looking for complete album approval just that someone feels something from the songs,” said Sariana.
As a Mexican artist breaking into the American market some will see her as a representative of her country. However, she says she only represents a part, and doesn’t embody all of Mexico.
“I hope I can be of some help in understanding between cultures,” said Sariana. “When people listen to my music and know me as a person, maybe they’ll understand that we’re not that different.”
Sariana’s youthful vitality, combined with her mature musical outlook to create a sound and persona that forms an album that is anything but mediocre.