Life shapes art according to singer-songwriter, Vicci Martinez, who will be performing at Pride’s main stage, Sun., July 14 from 5-5:30 p.m. For Martinez, a few major events that have unfolded during her 28 years have molded her into the artist Pride Festival goers will experience, not least among them her parents’ response to her coming out at age 16.
“Basically, they put me on a plane to New Mexico to live with my aunt,” she told San Diego LGBT Weekly. “They wanted to get me away from my girlfriend the very next day.”
For Martinez, her banishment was less about geography and more about religion.
“It wasn’t so much that we lived in a conservative part of the country – in fact I think Washington state is more progressive than almost any other state for the most part – but my parents were just very religious.”
These days, however, with a Swedish girlfriend who prizes her privacy in Sweden (Vicci declined to even share her girlfriend’s first name with us); a newfound certainty that before he passed away, her father had completely accepted her as a lesbian and his beloved daughter, for whom he only wanted happiness; and a great relationship with her family, Vicci Martinez is riding high and playing Pride festivals as well as sold-out concerts to adoring fans everywhere.
LGBT Weekly caught up with the star recently. Here’s what she had to say:
San Diego LGBT Weekly: Why did you decide to take the gig performing at this year’s San Diego LGBT Pride Festival?
Vicci Martinez: First, I’m an out artist and have been since I started performing, and I’m happy to be a part of such a wonderful community and event where so many people come together to celebrate love.
It seems that there are a lot of wonderful female R&B singers with strong roots and rock underpinnings. Who are some of your favorites in that class?
So many, but one that stands out to me a lot these days is Pink. She is so inspiring, strong and a hard worker.
Would you say the above describes your style of music?
Yes.
Can you tell us a little bit about your childhood and how your experiences growing up impacted your art?
So much to say; but I think some major events that have impacted me have been my experience in coming out, the loss of my father and the many relationships I’ve been through that have made me who I am. I was kicked out of my house at 17 for not breaking up with my girlfriend, and as hard as it was, it felt much better to be living my truth. I had nothing to hide, and that was something I wanted to help inspire people to do through my music. The loss of my father was also a hard one, but he is with me always, and all I want to do is make him proud. We rekindled our relationship a few years before he passed and they were the best years ever. He commended me for living my truth and was very proud. And of course, all of those breakups … (sighs) … make for good songs.
Please tell us about your current album?
The new album is kind of a mash-up of everything I have been involved in musically throughout my career. If you listen to any older albums you can definitely see the evolution and I was so lucky to work with some amazing producers who challenged me even more to leave my comfort zone, but stay true to music. I had so much fun on this album!
What’s your favorite track from Vicci, the album?
I have a deep love for “Little Faith.” It just always gets me going.
How did you stay focused on your part of the performance while duetting with Cee Lo Green?
Well to be honest, I recorded “Come Along” first on my own. It wasn’t till later that we asked him to be on the track, and when we did it was so great to see how much we were able to complement each other. He was very proud.
Your family, perhaps especially your father, is very important to you. What would you tell a young singer growing up in a non-traditional family – whether in an orphanage, a homeless shelter for youth or simply with same-sex parents – that might encourage her to pursue a dream of singing to large audiences?
Don’t hold back, and don’t live in fear. That’s when you will connect to your divine self, and when that happens, life is a beautiful thing.
Anything you’d like to add?
Thank you for the great questions, and I’m happy to be a part of this year’s San Diego LGBT Pride celebration.
