Q1: What type of music do you play? Could you describe a little bit more what it means to you to be playing this genre of music?
I write Electropop music. Being equally influenced by Dance music and Rock, it naturally happened that I leaned towards a Dance Pop sound that allows me to tell my stories in a way Rock music maybe would, or Retro music would. Storytelling through my voice is so important for the Melotika project. It’s all about energy and passion. Electropop allows me the freedom to genre-bend and have different genres incorporated in my Dance Pop music. It allows me to be whoever I want to be.
Q2: In what fashion group would you consider yourself into? What does this fashion mean to you?
I feel like I don’t belong in any fashion group. I have a very Rebellious and Quirky fashion sense. I never stick to one style, one day I want to wear all black, one day I want to wear bubble gum pink! If I had to pick a group, I most likely have a very retro 80’s and 90’s style, but Meloti-fied.
Q3: During a performance do you feel that your appearance must express the type of music you’re playing and Why?
Always! My fashion sense and inspirations change over the years and it fluctuates with my mood. Depending how I am feeling in the moment, whether it is more laid back, or dressed like a Diva, it helps portray my image and tells a story during my performance. It even goes with how I decide to perform, what kind of energy I am delivering. How I want people to remember me in that given moment.
Q4: How would you say that your appearance reflects the music you play?
My appearance doesn’t necessarily fit in one niche. I feel like I can chameleon into different niches because of my varied and eclectic fashion sense. I always have this feeling that I can pull off any look if I want to and I embrace that. This is also how I feel about the music I make. Embracing individuality. I always want to try and create new things out of the box and get out of my comfort zone with my music. Exploring different parts of myself is such an important part of the music I make. My fashion sense makes this obvious!
Q5: Do you feel that you have to dress up a certain way for the fans? Can you explain a bit more how it feels? Does it pressure you or make the experience more enjoyable and how?
I feel that most artists are pressured to look a certain way to engage ‘new fans.’ This is a problem I face on a daily basis. We live in a very visual world. Often we are fooled by nice familiar aesthetics and image vs creative talent and authenticity. I think individuality is so important and it stands out the most. Being consistent in my creative vision along with expressing myself through my eclectic fashion sense makes me feel more fulfilled as a human and I hope it has greater potential in the end to make an impact instead of being a dime a dozen of the crowd. Look at David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Cher, Madonna, all these icons did it their way despite the backlash!
Q6: How does it feel to be able to appear in front of an audience with your sense of fashion there, on stage? Does it excite you that you can express yourself so openly? Can you talk about maybe the effect that it has on the audience, how they react to it?
It truly feels great. In my everyday life, I am a simple girl wearing levi jean shorts and tank tops. There is no grey zone: It is either I am super casual, or eccentric. Having a reason to go out and rock crazy outfits is one of my favorite things to do on earth! It excites me that I can show off that side of me, get weird, and feel fabulous! The audience loves it! Whether it’s a live performance or online performance, I often get comments like “Where did you get that dress?” The best part is saying that it’s from a thrift shop or belonged to my grandmother! Designing costumes or styling bits and pieces of outfits is one of my favorite hobbies.
Q7: Does it make you question yourself that you have to be different on stage and when you’re not on stage? (if this is the case)
Never! It’s my time to shine! My wardrobe is so big that every season I have to rotate clothes in and out of boxes. The stage is my time to rock my hidden treasures!
Q8: Has your appearance ever helped you to gain more attention? Can you explain any situation where this happened? And maybe what type of people (from which fashion group) your appearance attracts?
This is a very hard question to answer. Currently, I don’t feel like my style attracts the average typical person because I am not super relatable in that way. I rarely follow trends. My mom used to say “ Mel, you are ahead of the trends. You are avant garde. Everything you wear becomes the next big thing in 2 years.” And this has come to be so true! My style definitely gains people’s attention, but I also think the diversity and freedom makes people intimidated (I have been told this). I don’t fit in one particular fashion group. Alternative boys and girls love my style, and the Kardashian lovers love my style too. I think my style fits in between all fashion groups. I am not afraid to be a little bit of everything.
Q9: Do you think that your appearance is a must or is irrelevant when you’re on stage and why is it so?
It is a must. Hitting the stage is an opportunity to express yourself from head to toe. All eyes are on you. It’s that special night to make the biggest statement.!
Q10: Have you ever used your appearance to make a statement at any point in time both as an individual or as a musician/performer? Can you describe it?
My appearance always has to be appropriate for the setting and event. If I am going to an interview, I want to blend in a bit more and have a corporate, classy and cool Meloti-fied outfit. I don’t want my interviews and podcasts to be about my outfit, I want it to be about the content I am talking about and to show off my inner personality. When I am performing, it is almost like theatre. It is art. My photoshoots as well for the press or music videos - this is my time to get wild, in my way! My appearance helps tell a story and character I am portraying in that given moment.
Q11: I’ve read from your insta bio that you want to inspire people to discover their own beauty and confidence, can you explain a little bit more about it?
I experienced bullying in my teens and still to this day. In highschool I was made fun of for how I dressed, the heavy eye liner I used to wear, and how I used to tease my hair. Through music, I want to encourage anyone who has ever had second thoughts about themselves, or anyone who gets bullied and feels alone to feel good in their own skin. We live in a superficial, lonely, and competitive world right now with social media destroying egos and lives and I want to be that role model. I want to be open to any age group, any niche, anyone who wants to feel empowered, I am that go-to artist. My songs talk about this too.
Q12: Can you explain about what you believe fashion can add to society? (Maybe talking about the combination of music and fashion too)
Fashion always added freedom and expression and still will. I believe sky’s the limit, do what you want, wear the dress, buy the boots, rock that outfit. Fashion also recycles itself and brings nostalgic feelings and memories. Fashion is really just a way of life. A part of who we are. Just like music. Funny I mention fashion recycles itself because music does as well! We find inspiration from artists we used to enjoy, and era’s we love to create something new. Fashion does the same thing.
Q13: Are you interested in forming a new type of fashion? can you talk about it?
Since I call my fans the Rebelz, one day I would like to have my own clothing line called ‘Rebel Yelle’ if things work out as planned. (Yelle is my maiden last name). This clothing line would market mainly to individuals who think outside the box - think a lot of dark colours with bright and bold patterns. Quirky designs, jewels, and delicate embroidery. A combination of retro and the future. I have so many ideas for this side project!
Q14: As someone who already has a step in the industry, can you explain whether it is easy to create a new fashion trend and what are the challenges you could observe both in terms of you putting this new trend out there and on how the audience usually reacts to the exposure of a new style of dressing?
I do find it easy to ‘create’ a new fashion trend because I simply don’t follow trends - if that makes any sense? I am aware of the current trends and the Rebel inside of me always wants to do the completely opposite to stand out and make people have a second glance. The other day someone told me my eyebrows are too thin. I laughed and said, good. More room for my weird face to stand out. Someone also told me I should try and have a more futuristic style like Grimes to succeed in the Electropop genre. I said, No. Grimes is amazing but we already have a Grimes. Now it is time to have a Melotika.
Q15: Do you think the world need to be expose to new fashion? and could you explain what benefits you see in that? (if you feel that this statement is important only else you may skip it)
The world always needs innovation. Forward is forward. There is always room for us to stay true to ourselves and flaunt it.
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