ABC 'Duets' Singer Alumnus Meleana On the Making of Her New Album "White Walls"

After opening for Bruno Mars in Honolulu and singing as John Legend's duet partner on ABC TV, Duets, singer / songwriter Meleana releases her first album on DREAM Records.  Meleana recently signed with DREAM Records and immediately went into the studio with producer David Hanley at DREAM Studios in Hawaii to record a powerhouse pop album full of inspirational music and a voice that commands attention. 

Meleana was born and raised in Hawaii, part Filipino, Hawaiian, African-American and Portuguese.   Meleana comes from a talented family.  Her cousin is Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussy Cat Dolls and her sister is Christina Brown of High School Musical on TV and also has a hit song on Billboard charts.  Meleana performed alongside Celine Dion's renowned violinist, Roddy Chung, at a benefit concert in LA. In 2012.   Meleana auditioned for Duets on ABC TV and within hours she was singing on national TV along side nine time grammy winner, John Legend.  The first week she shot up to number 1!!   She went on to travel all over the world singing as a featured vocalist on the high seas for a luxury cruise liner.

A TV show called Hawaii Stars was Meleana's first TV appearance.  She was the tiny teen with the big voice.  Back in 2003, Meleana was one of the top 12 finalists on the popular TV show, American Idol, in a season that featured Grammy & Academy Award-winning Jennifer Hudson, and Season Three winner, Fantasia.

After 10 years of singing on the Navatek, a dinner cruise that cruises Waikiki, Hollywood was calling Meleana.  So, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music career.  "Music has the power to lift hearts and inspire" says Meleana.

New Hope Church, on the island of Oahu, is where Meleana started singing with other members of her family.  Meleana was homeschooled along with her two sisters and two brothers. She lived in Japan with her family and put together a Hawaiian show and performed at various venues. Years later Meleana performed at Tokyo's Zepp Theater in Odaiba, where she was booked as a "Hawaiian Gospel" act.  She brought the house down.

Q:  Thank you Meleana for doing this interview with us.  Meleana is a very unusual name; tell us a little about your family background.

My name is Hawaiian and the world Mele means song. Meleana means to sing. I am Hawaiian Filipino Portuguese Spanish African American.

Q:  Your cousin is none other than Nicole Scherzinger, the former lead singer of the Pussy Cat Dolls and your sister is Christina Brown of High School Musical on TV.  Have you ever thought of working with them?

When we are together we always celebrate in song or we sing out loud in the house or wherever we are we always find ourselves singing in 3 part harmony it is a blast! We have considered the idea of officially working together and looking forward to when that time comes.

Q And what advice did they offer you as you embark on releasing your own album?

Before even starting on my album Nicole would always tell me  the importance of being true to yourself and standing up for what I know is right.
Christina,She has always been a hard worker and by example taught me the importance of excellence in everything that I put my heart in to.

Q:  Prior to the release of your new album, you auditioned for Duets for ABC TV.  Tell us more about your experience on this TV show.

Duets was an amazing experience one I learned the technique of multi tasking and the importance of keeping gods word in your heart at all times. Anytime doing a competition their can be many distractions it is important to keep that relationship with God strong to know who you are and who's you are.

Q: I read in your bio that you are part of New Hope Oahu Church.  We have just published a review article on New Hope Oahu's forthcoming Christmas album.  Are you part of the worship team?  And do you often lead worship in church?

Prior to moving to la I was a worship leader with New Hope, I was actively involved and was apart of the New Hope YPAC I got to be apart of NHO Musicals and worship team.  Now that I am in L.A. I sing worship with New Hopes sister church called South Bay Community Church. 

Q:  Let's talk about your new album "White Walls."  Why did you call the album "White Walls"?

I called the album white walls because I really felt God calling me to create an album where people could relate to in an everyday setting. White walls represents the past the current and the future. 

White walls represents that God can make all things new and the past experiences are different colors of  paint. It's says in gods word that he uses all things for good to those who love him and who are called according to his purpose.

Thus white walls  represents the new beginning of following the purpose God has for your life and those past experiences create who you are today.  White walls title rep. The entire album that of real life experiences being in the world but not of it.

Q:  What were some of the highlights in the making of this album?

Several years ago I had the visioned creating an album or being a solo artist I saw my family being apart of the project. It was amazing to see how that very thing happened my youngest brother and family helped with production. I really enjoyed working with them and tapping in to their creative side.    Working with my family was part of the dream!

Q:  How do you wish this album would impact to your fans and your listeners?

I created this album with real life experiences. Their are many distractions in this world today with Television and social media at the very tip of your fingers we have easy access to many different outside noises.I felt led to create an album to meet people where they are. I would pray that people will be able to relate with the album and that the album will Inspire, bring hope, believe and encourage those to dream.This album was created with all the intent to give people a future and a hope.

Q:  Where can our readers go to find out more about you and your music?

You got to iTunes Amazon pandora any major music stream or my website Meleanabrown.com.

 

 

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