Nitza – A ‘World’ Traveller – Rick Keene Music Scene

Magical …

That is the only way to describe Montreal-born Nitza’s career so far.

“I was in Tokyo and Guy Laliberte approached me and asked if I would be interested in singing in a Cirque du Soleil show.” Says Nitza from her home in Outremont. ” Imagine, two people, ten thousand miles from the same province, connecting. Music is amazing that way …”

Laliberte is the founder of La Cirque du Soleil and when he heard Nitza’s powerful voice and ‘world’ music, he wanted to implement her sound into one of the many ideas which appear to endlessly circle inside his head.

“That was in the late nineties.” Nitza remembers. ” It took a few years but we finally got together in 2006. I was the first solo performer to be integrated into the Cirque’s itinerary. It was such an amazing experience. I sang in places like the Bell Center and Madison Square Garden. What an experience!”

Cirque du Soleil’s and Nitza’s show was named Delirium. It played in over 162 performances throughout the U.S. and Canada, reaching a live audience of well over 1 million.The tour grossed in the top five of all tours for 2006.

“Meeting Laliberte opened all sorts of doors for me. People listen to him and he obviously is very influential. It was also an amazing time to be an artist.” Nitza continues. ” I was an independent (still is) artist and suddenly, instead of being just a ‘Mom’ operation (there was no Pop), I was involved in this huge performance -based show.”

Nitza then found herself on stage at the Staple center performing and receiving the award for ”World Music Artist of the Year” at the 17th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards in Hollywood. Nitza (pronounced ”nee-tsa”) opened the televised event performing the title track to her album ”Ageless”. The Los Angeles Music Awards show is the largest of its kind to recognize the achievements of independent artists from across the globe.

Not bad for a Greek girl raised by a brave Mom and an old-fashioned yet rebellious musical Father.

“My Dad was always playing in bands. He played the bouzouki and the type of music he played was ‘Rebetiko‘. That style is sort of the Greek equivalent to what the blues was at one point. The sort of music which championed the underprivileged. My father was ‘old school’ and at the same time kind of ‘out there’ in his beliefs. He was (and still is) a very interesting man.”

Nitza started to sing when she was very young but her dad did not allow her to sing with him. He was worried about his only daughter getting involved in what can be a very nasty business. He would not encourage her talent but he would not deny it either.

“I knew from the time I was young that I would travel.” Explains Nitza. ” I am the type of person who can fit in anywhere and with anyone. I think it is important to explore different cultures.”

She goes on.

” I remember I was in Italy with some crew members and we went to eat. The restaurant served Brio and one of the guys was disappointed because he could not get Coke. I said to him ;’ c’mon! Don’t you want to try Brio?’ I don’t understand why people are not curious.”

Nitza’s zest for adventure, both musically and spiritually has brought her all over the world. Japan, Thailand, Russia, Tunisia and Greece to name a few. The dark-haired beauty attempts to add her own music with what she sees and learns in different countries. Nitza’s world is like food. She is just an ingredient.

‘I never wanted to go the Pop music route. The type of music I sing, or some of the songs are very Pop -oriented.” She explains.” If a traditional musician hears my song, they will tell you right away it’s Pop music. It isn’t really compared to what North Americans know of Pop, yet to someone from an Eastern culture, my sings are watered – down versions of what music with ouds and bouzoukis normally sound like. Really, it’s all what each individual likes. That’s what music is all about.”

Nitza also attempts to buck the normal trend of world music. Her voice and the power behind it is not for the faint of heart.

“I do not like to hold back.” She explains.” In my song Ageless for example, instead of having the normal ‘chorus’, there is just screaming. What I wanted to say by doing that was music has no language. The ancients believe that music are like voices in the wind. It is out there, floating around and everyone deciphers it differently. I am just another of those voices.”

Nitza’s music and connection with Guy Laliberte brought her to the next exciting scene in this Montrealer‘s ‘life movie script’. A chance to work in Las Vegas in illusionist Criss Angel‘s show; Believe. The show was produced by Laliberte and the musical score was written by Eric Serra. Serra can list the theme from Goldfinger in the James Bond movie franchise as part of his many accomplishments.

“It was very cool being in Vegas and a part of that. Criss is a super guy, very down to earth. What was cool about the illusions was what was right in front of you but you could not see. Or – the different angles caused by the illusions or angles causing illusions. Being in Vegas for four hundred shows a year for two years was great also. It is not like doing your own show. There’s pressure but not the same as when it is all on you.” She continues. ” I don’t think it was the right setting for Criss. He is an Americana – rocker type and all the glitz with dancers and such did not make him happy. His show, Mindfreak – is best suited for his personality.”

Nitza is currently in Montreal and in the process of recording a new album which she hopes will be out in the new year. The lady is not sure if it will be a traditional cd or a ‘one song at a time’ release via iTunes.

“It is a different time for independent artists.” says Nitza.” People are not making cds anymore and there is the question on how to market yourself. I like the old days when you had albums in your hands. Each person would have their favorite artist or band and explore the album cover right down to the fine print. For that reason I am leaning towards recording a cd.”

Nitza has also put her traveling on hold to be with her Mom who is suffering from Cirrhosis. A disease which affects her Mom even though she was not a drinker nor did she have Hepatitis C.

“She is doing okay. She is an amazing woman. She came here from Greece when she was young. All alone. She is very courageous and has the mentality of ‘accept it and deal with it’. It is a very British attitude she has. I have two wonderful brothers and my father is in great shape. She is surrounded by love and that is what will keep her going strong.”

Nitza was saying goodnight to her Mom recently and bent down to give the family matriarch a kiss on her cheek. Her Mom whispered in her ear that – as a daughter, Nitza had far exceeded all the expectations a Mother could expect from the best daughter.

Magical …

Listen to Nitza here …