'Relishing Her Moment In The Sun'

Almost as if it’s played a role in creating her future destiny, singer/songwriter Preeta’s name means “beloved” in Hindi, which fits in perfectly with her lofty musical and spiritual goals. “I write and perform songs to convey love and to show that we’re all connected somehow, and that love is the answer,” says the native of the Hawaiian Islands, whose songwriting was initially fueled by her innate response to the natural beauty of her childhood surroundings. “My mission through my music is to give love and uplift people from the trap of dwelling on the negativity of life.”

Her other chief goal, living truly and fully day to day In This Moment, is such a driving force in her life that there was no other possible title for her first full length recording—a ten track collection of feel good pop music, reggae and funk produced and engineered by Brian Reeves, who has worked with Billy Idol, U2, Adam Cohen, Sheila Nicholls and the currently red-hot band Rooney.

In This Moment follows Preeta’s first project, an EP which featured an earlier, more sparsely produced version of the immediately catchy title track. The single received extensive Top 40 airplay throughout the United States (Washington, Texas, California, Tennessee, etc.) and The Virgin Islands. “Good Enough,” her new reggae flavored song that talks about another of her philosophies, being real and true to yourself, is already receiving extensive airplay on KONG and KKCR on her native island.

Chatting recently with Preeta, I first noted that as she had been brought up close to the beach in Hawaii, what memories had she of those early years discovering music? "Well, there was always reggae music playing everywhere on the islands so I'm sure that 'feel good' vibe inspired me. But my first instrument that I started writing on when I was young was piano. My piano was in the living room, which had gigantic windows looking onto the beach below, so that view is actually my main memory of the early years discovering music."

Your album title suggests a deep, meaningful statement of life, but do you yourself follow such spiritual 'live for the moment' ideals on a daily basis? "Well, I'm not enlightened yet...;) And I'm just like everyone else trying to figure it out, but I do believe in the truth of being in this moment. So, I try to keep my mind on the now as much as possible, even though it is hard at times. I think that's why people love music so much; It helps us to just lose ourselves in the moment."

It's been said that you love making music with substance. So, what in today's music world is an example of music that has no substance? "I can't be a judge for what has substance and what doesn't because it all means something to at least someone. But, my idea of substance, is a song that makes your hairs stand up on your arms... a song that has such good musical and lyrical content that you feel alive just from listening to it."

Please tell us more about how a hard personal break-up played a huge part in your spiritual and artistic development, and how it lyrically relates to this album "It helped me to find and harness my power as a woman in this world. And I had a lot of feelings to feel, so I had a lot of songs to write about becoming dependent and breaking free from an old way of being."

Out of the 10 songs on this new album which one truly stands out to be your go-to favorite when recommending it to first time listeners ... and why? "It's hard to pick one, but I guess I would say the title track 'In This Moment' or 'Good Enough'."

For fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:

'On My Own Again' - Are you a single lady at this point in time? And if so, are you happy about it?! "I'm a relationship lady again, I had a few years to be single and I'm diving back in now and yes, I am happy."

'To Be Loved' - At what age did you first fall in love and did it come with your first real kiss?! "I first fell in love at age sixteen, but you know, I had real kisses before that;)"

'Sacred' - Who or what is the most sacred thing in your life ... and why? "My innermost beingness and Kauai."

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "'What You Won't Do For Love' by Bobby Caldwell ... it's a groovin R&B song."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "Who doesn't like penguins? I even have one on my Italian charm bracelet!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

www.Preeta.com

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Preeta's brand new CD, just answer this easy question: Preeta is the native of the Hawaiian Island of ... where?!