Soluna
Encyclopedia
Soluna was a music group (1998–2004) consisting of four members, all of Hispanic
descent - Aurora Rodriguez, America Olivo
, Jessica Castellanos, and Christina "T" López
. The group's name is the combination the Spanish
words for sun ("sol") and moon ("luna"). Both Lopez and Castellanos are pursuing primarily solo music careers, and Olivo is developing an acting resume, including a recent role on General Hospital
.
, who had become friends while both attending California Institute of the Arts
, met up after a few years apart. The two met with a record producer friend and found Jessica Castellanos, another aspiring singer. The three started singing together but sought a fourth member to complete the group. By chance, another producer named Nick Martinez recommended to them a young girl he'd met while driving in Ontario, California
. He had stopped at a local auto-body shop due to car trouble and saw the owner's daughter's picture on the wall. The girl's father assured him his daughter was talented and could sing. Her name was Christina "T" Lopez, and after singing "Amazing Grace" over the phone, she became the final member of Soluna. Shortly after their line-up was complete, Soluna signed with DreamWorks Records
.
, rock
, dance
and Latin
sounds due to the influence of producers Steve Morales, Tim & Bob, Josh & Brian, Thunderpuss 2000, Ozomatli
and Tim Miner. The members of Soluna produced one track (the a cappella "Te Vengo A Decir") and co-wrote five others ("Bring It To Me," "I'll Be Waiting," "So In Love," "Spanish Lullaby," and "Luna Mia"). The uptempo song "Bring It To Me" was picked as the first single and rose to the Top 20 of Billboard's Dance Chart
However, with the events of September 11, 2001, Soluna decided to go in a different musical direction by focusing on promoting a power ballad, "For All Time," as their new single. The single was released commercially along with an a cappella arrangement of several patriotic songs ("A Patriotic Medley"). In 2002, Soluna performed at the NAACP Image Awards, as well as Elton John
's 10th annual Oscar Gala. "For All Time" was formally released to radio on February 12, 2002. The debut album of the same name was released on May 14, 2002.
"For All Time" became Soluna's best-known song. The corresponding video, directed by Bille Woodruff
, was shot in both English and Spanish in June 2002 and premiered on MTV
's "Total Request Live
" on July 24, 2002. This track made the Top 20 of Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream Chart as well as the Top 30 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. During this time, Soluna toured as the opening act for artists such as Enrique Iglesias
and Marc Anthony
. The quartet also traveled to Puerto Rico
and Mexico
to promote their music.
The third single from the For All Time album was a Latin-influeced dance track, "Monday Mi Amor." It was released to radio on November 11, 2002. During its first week on the charts, it was among the top ten most-added tracks in the CHR/POP Category for Radio. The dance remix to "Monday Mi Amor" by DJ Wildlife peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Breakout Chart, which was Soluna's highest charting.
based on their adventures in the music business. They appeared in an episode of Nickelodeon
's first Latino-influenced show The Brothers Garcia
in December 2002. The pilot for Soluna's sitcom was shot on April 28, 2004 and was reviewed by UPN to be added to the Fall 2004 program line-up. Unfortunately for Soluna, their television program was not picked up by UPN.
During this time, Soluna had been writing and recording tracks for their second album, which was to be a Spanish language disc. In May 2004, Soluna announced they had recorded a duet with recording artist J. Roman (a former member of the group Vi3). This track, entitled "Where Are You?" premiered on Chicago's B96 radio on May 17, 2004. Jessica was featured on the verses while all group members sang the chorus. A Spanish version ("Donde Esta?") was also recorded, as well as a pseudo cover of Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight", with Castellanos singing the chorus and J.Roman performing original verses in a rap style. While "Where Are You?" achieved moderate success and radio play, J. Roman re-recorded it with a new female singer, Natalie
, and this new version was released to radio. The song was released on Natalie's debut album as a bonus track, but the song received little attention.
and T López are each pursuing solo music projects.
Castellanos was the first to premiere new music, releasing several demo versions to her MySpace
page (reachable via www.myspace.com/jessicacastellanos or simply www.jessicacastellanos.com). Castellanos is stating she is signed to an independent label, although which one is not certain, and she is looking forward to writing for other artists. In 2008, Castellanos left California and moved to the UK.
Olivo has appeared on House
(twice as recurring role "Ingrid, the Masseuse"), Jake in Progress
, Cuts
and How I Met Your Mother
. Olivo has also wrapped a small role in the vampire gore flick "The Thirst." She has since wrapped roles in the independent film "Love Shack" as well as a cameo role in the upcoming Iron Man
. In 2006, Olivo launched her own solo website, www.americaolivo.com as well as a MySpace
page, reachable via www.myspace.com/americaolivo. Between both sites, she has premiered several demo songs, as well as announced several film roles as well as a lead role in the Hollywood, CA base theatre production of "Hotel C'Est L'Amour" as "Maria", which ran at The Blank's Second Stage from September 26, 2006 to November 5, 2006. Since 2006, four demo songs have premiered: "Summer", "Porcelain Eyes", "Deja Vu" and "Water From the Moon." Olivo recently announced she will appear in two new independent films: "The Circle" and "The Resort." On January 14, 2008, it was officially announced that Olivo was cast as Marietta on popular ABC soap opera General Hospital
, and would begin appearing on January 22, 2008. She is set to appear in the films Friday the 13th
and Bitch Slap
.
Lopez has been featured on Charmed
, South of Nowhere
, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
. She also serves as a host on the SiTV show "The Drop." She has wrapped small roles in "Hollywood Kills" and "The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down" satirical documentary. Also in 2006, Lopez launched her own solo music MySpace
page. Although it is still under construction, it is available via www.myspace.com/tlopezmusic . No music has yet been premiered, however Lopez states she is currently working on both an English and Spanish solo albums, among other things. In August 2007, Lopez confirmed she is signed to Cash Money Records
. She appeared on the cover of Nuestro Mundo Magazine's January 2007 issue. She has gained notoriety among Disney Channel
fans when she appeared in an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
as the latest stepmother of London Tipton
. A single is expected to be released in early 2008, with an album to follow.
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
descent - Aurora Rodriguez, America Olivo
America Olivo
America Olivo is an actress and singer most notable for her membership in the Spanish- & English-language band Soluna. Born in Los Angeles, she has multiple citizenships: US, Canadian, and Italian. Born to father Nello Olivo and mother Danica d'Hondt...
, Jessica Castellanos, and Christina "T" López
T Lopez
Christina T Lopez , better known by her stage name T Lopez, is an American and Mexican actress and singer from Ontario, California. T Lopez was a former member of the Latina group, known as Soluna who were signed to DreamWorks Records whose musical debut album "For All Time" and debut single of the...
. The group's name is the combination the Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
words for sun ("sol") and moon ("luna"). Both Lopez and Castellanos are pursuing primarily solo music careers, and Olivo is developing an acting resume, including a recent role on General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
.
Formation
Soluna began in 1998 when Aurora Rodriguez and America OlivoAmerica Olivo
America Olivo is an actress and singer most notable for her membership in the Spanish- & English-language band Soluna. Born in Los Angeles, she has multiple citizenships: US, Canadian, and Italian. Born to father Nello Olivo and mother Danica d'Hondt...
, who had become friends while both attending California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
, met up after a few years apart. The two met with a record producer friend and found Jessica Castellanos, another aspiring singer. The three started singing together but sought a fourth member to complete the group. By chance, another producer named Nick Martinez recommended to them a young girl he'd met while driving in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
. He had stopped at a local auto-body shop due to car trouble and saw the owner's daughter's picture on the wall. The girl's father assured him his daughter was talented and could sing. Her name was Christina "T" Lopez, and after singing "Amazing Grace" over the phone, she became the final member of Soluna. Shortly after their line-up was complete, Soluna signed with DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
.
Soluna's musical debut - For All Time
Soluna's debut album was finished by summer of 2001. It featured tracks with popPop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and Latin
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
sounds due to the influence of producers Steve Morales, Tim & Bob, Josh & Brian, Thunderpuss 2000, Ozomatli
Ozomatli
Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.In a 2007 NPR interview, band...
and Tim Miner. The members of Soluna produced one track (the a cappella "Te Vengo A Decir") and co-wrote five others ("Bring It To Me," "I'll Be Waiting," "So In Love," "Spanish Lullaby," and "Luna Mia"). The uptempo song "Bring It To Me" was picked as the first single and rose to the Top 20 of Billboard's Dance Chart
However, with the events of September 11, 2001, Soluna decided to go in a different musical direction by focusing on promoting a power ballad, "For All Time," as their new single. The single was released commercially along with an a cappella arrangement of several patriotic songs ("A Patriotic Medley"). In 2002, Soluna performed at the NAACP Image Awards, as well as Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's 10th annual Oscar Gala. "For All Time" was formally released to radio on February 12, 2002. The debut album of the same name was released on May 14, 2002.
"For All Time" became Soluna's best-known song. The corresponding video, directed by Bille Woodruff
Bille Woodruff
Bille Woodruff is a music video and film director, noted for directing many videos for a number of R&B and hip-hop artists since the mid-1990s. These artists include Joe, for whom Woodruff has directed nine music videos since 1994, and Toni Braxton, whom he has worked 8 times since 1996...
, was shot in both English and Spanish in June 2002 and premiered on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
" on July 24, 2002. This track made the Top 20 of Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream Chart as well as the Top 30 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. During this time, Soluna toured as the opening act for artists such as Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
and Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
. The quartet also traveled to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to promote their music.
The third single from the For All Time album was a Latin-influeced dance track, "Monday Mi Amor." It was released to radio on November 11, 2002. During its first week on the charts, it was among the top ten most-added tracks in the CHR/POP Category for Radio. The dance remix to "Monday Mi Amor" by DJ Wildlife peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Breakout Chart, which was Soluna's highest charting.
Further projects
Shortly after "Monday Mi Amor" was released, the members of Soluna announced that they were beginning to work out a sitcom deal with UPNUPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
based on their adventures in the music business. They appeared in an episode of Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
's first Latino-influenced show The Brothers Garcia
The Brothers Garcia
The Brothers García is an American sitcom that premiered in 2000 on Nickelodeon and ended in 2004. It was among the first projects of Sí TV, an effort to produce programming featuring Latino characters, however being aimed at a diverse audience...
in December 2002. The pilot for Soluna's sitcom was shot on April 28, 2004 and was reviewed by UPN to be added to the Fall 2004 program line-up. Unfortunately for Soluna, their television program was not picked up by UPN.
During this time, Soluna had been writing and recording tracks for their second album, which was to be a Spanish language disc. In May 2004, Soluna announced they had recorded a duet with recording artist J. Roman (a former member of the group Vi3). This track, entitled "Where Are You?" premiered on Chicago's B96 radio on May 17, 2004. Jessica was featured on the verses while all group members sang the chorus. A Spanish version ("Donde Esta?") was also recorded, as well as a pseudo cover of Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight", with Castellanos singing the chorus and J.Roman performing original verses in a rap style. While "Where Are You?" achieved moderate success and radio play, J. Roman re-recorded it with a new female singer, Natalie
Natalie (singer)
Natalie Nicole Alvarado , better known simply as Natalie, is a Mexican-American R&B singer/songwriter.-Biography:After her high school years, she chose to study criminal justice after giving up her dreams of being a singer....
, and this new version was released to radio. The song was released on Natalie's debut album as a bonus track, but the song received little attention.
Soluna on hiatus
The members of Soluna decided to part ways in late 2004. However, the group disbanded on amiable terms and left the option open of an eventual reunion. Currently, members Jessica Castellanos, America OlivoAmerica Olivo
America Olivo is an actress and singer most notable for her membership in the Spanish- & English-language band Soluna. Born in Los Angeles, she has multiple citizenships: US, Canadian, and Italian. Born to father Nello Olivo and mother Danica d'Hondt...
and T López are each pursuing solo music projects.
Castellanos was the first to premiere new music, releasing several demo versions to her MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page (reachable via www.myspace.com/jessicacastellanos or simply www.jessicacastellanos.com). Castellanos is stating she is signed to an independent label, although which one is not certain, and she is looking forward to writing for other artists. In 2008, Castellanos left California and moved to the UK.
Olivo has appeared on House
House (TV series)
House is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House , an unconventional and misanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in...
(twice as recurring role "Ingrid, the Masseuse"), Jake in Progress
Jake in Progress
Jake in Progress is an American comedy series broadcast on ABC from 2005 to 2006. Created by Austin Winsberg, the show was originally conceived as a real-time comedy; the first season was to show the first date of Jake and a woman. This was dropped during development, and the show became more...
, Cuts
Cuts
Cuts is an American sitcom that aired on the UPN network from February 14, 2005, to May 11, 2006, and is a spin-off of another UPN series, One on One...
and How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
. Olivo has also wrapped a small role in the vampire gore flick "The Thirst." She has since wrapped roles in the independent film "Love Shack" as well as a cameo role in the upcoming Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
. In 2006, Olivo launched her own solo website, www.americaolivo.com as well as a MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, reachable via www.myspace.com/americaolivo. Between both sites, she has premiered several demo songs, as well as announced several film roles as well as a lead role in the Hollywood, CA base theatre production of "Hotel C'Est L'Amour" as "Maria", which ran at The Blank's Second Stage from September 26, 2006 to November 5, 2006. Since 2006, four demo songs have premiered: "Summer", "Porcelain Eyes", "Deja Vu" and "Water From the Moon." Olivo recently announced she will appear in two new independent films: "The Circle" and "The Resort." On January 14, 2008, it was officially announced that Olivo was cast as Marietta on popular ABC soap opera General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
, and would begin appearing on January 22, 2008. She is set to appear in the films Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th (2009 film)
Friday the 13th is a 2009 American slasher film directed by Marcus Nispel and written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. It is a reboot of the Friday the 13th film series, which began in 1980 and the twelfth Friday the 13th film in total...
and Bitch Slap
Bitch Slap
Bitch Slap is a 2009 action and exploitation film directed by Rick Jacobson and stars Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo and Michael Hurst, with cameos by Lucy Lawless, Kevin Sorbo, and Renée O'Connor.- Plot :...
.
Lopez has been featured on Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
, South of Nowhere
South of Nowhere
South of Nowhere is an American teen drama television series created by Thomas W. Lynch. Aimed primarily at teenagers, it first aired on November 4, 2005 and was one of six original series on The N. The second half of the third and final season aired October 10, 2008 and the final episode aired on...
, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody is an American sitcom created by Danny Kallis and Jim Geoghan. The series premiered on Disney Channel on March 18, 2005 with 4 million viewers, making it the most successful premiere for Disney Channel in 2005. It was one of their first five shows available on the...
and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
. She also serves as a host on the SiTV show "The Drop." She has wrapped small roles in "Hollywood Kills" and "The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down" satirical documentary. Also in 2006, Lopez launched her own solo music MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page. Although it is still under construction, it is available via www.myspace.com/tlopezmusic . No music has yet been premiered, however Lopez states she is currently working on both an English and Spanish solo albums, among other things. In August 2007, Lopez confirmed she is signed to Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
. She appeared on the cover of Nuestro Mundo Magazine's January 2007 issue. She has gained notoriety among Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
fans when she appeared in an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody is an American sitcom created by Danny Kallis and Jim Geoghan. The series premiered on Disney Channel on March 18, 2005 with 4 million viewers, making it the most successful premiere for Disney Channel in 2005. It was one of their first five shows available on the...
as the latest stepmother of London Tipton
London Tipton
London Leah Tipton is a fictional character in Disney's Suite Life franchise which consists of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck...
. A single is expected to be released in early 2008, with an album to follow.
Awards
In February 2003, Soluna won an award for Best New Pop Artist at the Los Heraldos Awards in Mexico. They were also nominated for two International Dance Awards in 2002: Best New Dance Artist Group, and Best Latin Dance Track for "Monday Mi Amor."Albums
| Album Information |
|---|
For All Time
|
Chart history
| Single | Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "For All Time" | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 72 |
| "For All Time" | Adult Contemporary | 29 |
| "For All Time" | Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 16 |
| "Bring It To Me" | Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 8 |