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The greatest treasures can
sometimes be found in unexpected
places. For An-Ya, the fresh new
Pop/R & B international
sensation her story began in
Vladivostok, a quiet Russian
village near the Pacific Ocean.
An-Ya?s exceptional musical
talent was revealed as soon as
her father bought her first tape
recorder. ?I?d wander around the
apartment singing into the
microphone. Something sparked
inside and I devoted myself to
making music.? An-Ya is also a
self-taught guitarist, and
learned English by harmonizing
along to the tunes of Britney
Spears and Spice Girls.
Before she was a teenager, An-Ya had already won a string of prominent music competitions; her potential was so great that her family moved to Moscow so An-ya could study at a prestigious music/theater academy. Along with acting and vocal training, An-ya began writing songs whose styles reflect her admiration for artists like Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Take 6 and singer/producer Brian McKnight. An-Ya notes, ?I love to write ballads so Brian McKnight is a big influence.? At age 18, An-Ya beat out hundreds of talented girls to become one third of Yes!, the smash-hit Russian pop group. The video for the trio?s hit ?I Imagined It? aired to great acclaim on Russian MTV and their CD, Best Songs of the Radio earned multiple awards in Europe. One of the contest?s judges, Oleg Shmelev, approached her about going solo. She and Oleg began collaborating, and after establishing herself as a legitimate rising star in Europe, An-Ya knew it was time to come to the US. Singing to one of the songs she?d recorded in Russia, An-Ya auditioned for Joe Simpson, Ashlee and Jessica Simpson?s father/manger. ?I guess he liked me?, An-Ya laughs. With that, the treasure once buried in Vladivostok had truly been discovered by the entire world in her first US record deal with Papa Joe Records. She conquered Russia, now with the backing of Papa Joe records she is on her way to conquer the hearts of North America! Her self-titled debut album, ANYA, is a mix of emotional ballads and hot club dance mixes, including her chart topping first single ?Nightlife? featuring rapper David Banner. Bumping with an irresistible groove pushed along by An-Ya?s soaring vocals, ?Nightlife? is about dancing till the break of dawn and is tailor made for the preeminent clubs. ?The first time I heard ?Nightlife? I knew it was the one,? pop sensation An-Ya says, ?and to have David on the track was unbelievable because I?m such a fan.? Her project boasts production from heavy hitters like Teddy Riley (Michael Jackson, Guy) Timbaland associate, Jerome Spence and American Idol?s top dawg, Randy Jackson. Reflecting on her meteoric rise, An-Ya feels she?s already grown as an artist and as a person, and is eager to see what happens next. ?When I was a little girl, An-Ya says, ?I?d see the people that I?m now working with on TV and now it?s my reality. I still can?t believe that this is my life now. It?s really amazing.? And the deeper she digs the more of her treasured talents the world will crave. |
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