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10 Questions with ... Blanca
September 25, 2017
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1. Brief History/Synopsis
I was born in Bronx, New York but can't really claim being a New Yorker because I moved from New York to Orlando, FL when I was barely a year old! My Parents are from Puerto Rico, so even though I lived in Orlando, our Spanish roots definitely played a huge part in our lifestyle!
My Parents ended divorcing when I was around 6 years old, so I grew up with my mom and older brother, Tony, who is 4 years older than me. Though she was a single mother she worked so hard to make sure we had everything we could possibly need and more! I was heavily involved in school programs like cheerleading, chorus, and my favorite, theater! I got really into chorus and musical theater in high school and ended up going to college as a musical theater major. I didn't end up finishing my college years because I ended up receiving a recording contract at 19 years old with the group I was in called group 1 crew! Things took off at that point and I was always on the road.
I currently still live in my hometown of Orlando! And think it's pretty cool to be raising my son around the same places I grew up in!
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
A normal day at home for me is pretty chill. A lot of my mornings are spent getting my 4 year old son, London, ready for school! So I make his breakfast, get his school lunch ready get him dressed and out the door before 9am. Then from there I have a few hours to myself to get anything I need to get done, done. I usually go to the gym for a little bit to get my sweat on. And then go home to either work on business stuff or spend some time with the Lord. I've recently gotten into journaling which is new for me but I think is a great way to connect with God.
From there, I usually have to pick up my son from school, and we either go to the store if needed, to the park or somewhere fun or we just go home and hang out till daddy gets home. My husband works usually till around 6 or so, so once he gets home we love to get some quality time with him! He usually picks up dinner on his way home because I do not like cooking!! Then, it's time to put London to bed and do it all over again the morning!
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
There's so many songs that I'm loving right now!! One of them being "Never too Far Gone" By Jordan Feliz. It's so catchy and I think he has a great voice!!
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
Life on the road is one of my biggest struggles, since I'm a mommy to the cutest little boy. He doesn't really travel with me much on the road. We are very blessed to have awesome grandparents that love to take care of him while we are away, which helps so much cause he gets to go to school and have some consistency at home!
I travel quite a bit. Usually every weekend it feels like. It is rare to be home on a weekend but its so ice when I do get to be home and we can spend time together as a family. My husband traveled with me this year full time playing drums and tour managing. But as of now, He's got a great job opportunity that requires him to stay home.
So I think the biggest challenge up ahead is going to be feeling "alone" on the road without my hubby and son. And also balancing time away from home and at home! My son and family some first so I always prioritize them in whatever I do. But I also know that God has given me a mission and a purpose in music so I trust in Him, knowing he has us covered and won't give us more than we can handle. That's the only way in know how to juggle this, by surrendering it all to Him.
5. What Artist has had the greatest impact on you?
There are so many artists that have had a great impact on my life. From a musical standpoint these artist have influenced me and have encouraged me through difficult times. But the artists that have really impacted me in a big way are artists like Kari Jobe, Skillet, Mandisa and Tauren Wells, who have not only impacted me through their music but through their real relationship with me and my family! They've been there through good and bad times and have always looked after me:) A pastor that I love to listen to on podcasts and things is Graham Cooke.
6. What's the last book you read?
"The gifts of imperfection", by Brene brown. I am someone that deals with a lot of fear, shame and insecurities in being "good enough." This book touches on all these topics and gives such insight on how to conquer some of these bad habits. Brene is an incredible writer and has done studies on why we respond the way that we do to these certain topics... expressing our need for love and belonging!
7. What's going on in the recording department? Any new music on the way?
I have a new project that is scheduled to come out early next year! So far, off of that project we have released one song, called Real Love. There is no better song that I would have wanted to lead with. I walked through a very hard season this past year, with the death of my mom in December 2016. So I feel like every song in this new album comes with so much passion and realness if that makes sense.
8. Any common thread that runs through this new project?
They all tell a story of what I have walked through. Real Love specifically was stemmed by my longing for a deep connection with Jesus. We can at times get in the mundane ways of Christianity, where we do things in our own strength, and we check off the boxes in an effort to be "good enough." but that's not the way Christ intended it to be. It's about relationship with him... it's about a real, deep connection with the Holy Spirit! It's so much more than just religion. It's been so overwhelming to see the amazing response people have been giving regarding the song! It's been ringing true and has been connecting with so many people!
9. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question
This is such a tough question. I would obviously say Jesus... I know we get to talk to him every day through the Holy Spirit and through our relationship with him. But sometimes it's hard to hear Him though my own mess of a mind. So sitting with him, maybe over coffee and asking him the 21000 questions I have would be a dream.
BUT since that's probably off the table, the 1 person that comes to mind is my mom. Any chance I would have to sit with her one more time; I would take in a heartbeat.
10. Favorite Bible Verse....life verse?
My favorite bible verse is Joshua 1:9. I've dealt with fear my whole life. I would say it is one of my biggest daily struggles. Fear and Anxiety, can be crippling at times and can really affect the way that you live your life. So this verse is such an encouragement to trust God daily... knowing that he's with me wherever I go. I don't have to be afraid I just have to be strong and have courage!
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