The Voice – Battle Round 2

By starrymag | March 21, 2014

INTERVIEW WITH BATTLE WINNERS MELISSA JIMENEZ, BRITTNEE CAMELLE, DDENDYL, MEGAN RUGER, CLARISSA SERNA AND DELVIN CHOICE

Q) Brittnee and for MJ, we know obviously that the battle rounds are a challenging format, trying to pair with someone while you’re also competing with them. You guys – the two of you – it was a great performance. And I’m wondering if the two of you can tell us a little bit about how it all came together so well.

Melissa Jimenez: All I have to say to that is that’s probably a question for our coach because he’s the mastermind behind who he wants to see sing together. And I really respect – even though I had a feeling that – I had a really good feeling I was going to go up against Brittnee just because of our similar styles. I even included personality and just we’re – us as women – I had a feeling we were going to be together. So when Usher said, “I paired you two together and, two strong power houses and I feel that you can both inspire each other and also sort of pull from each other’s energy,” he was right on the money. So I was really excited and you kind of get a little naturally scared because you know what the other singer is bringing. And so at the end of the day I’m really happy that he paired me with Brittnee.

Brittnee Camelle: I definitely have to agree with Melissa on that. We do have to thank Usher for that performance because it was a great pairing. And I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it – from all the rehearsals to the actual performance – like it was a challenge. And we had to meet each other. And we did feed off of each other’s energy. And I think that’s what made it so intense in that moment was the fact that every time we got up there and did it, there was something new that evolved or that came out of us. And that was such a joy. So I think it just was all about just energy and just really feeling each other in the moment.

Q) We learned about Chris Martin joining on last night. When you look at him and you look at the original advisors that you had, when you look at the four coaches, you guys have had the opportunity to work with a plethora now of the top musicians in the business. And I’m wondering what’s it been like to work with all these great, successful artists?

Brittnee Camelle: I have to say that honestly it’s humbling more than anything, and it’s a blessing. And the things that you take away just from the moments of starting with Usher and then have Jill Scott – that’s somebody that – that’s a woman that I have looked up to in so many different ways. And to even be blessed with her presence was amazing. And to hear her say – her advice was so genuine and it was right on the money. So those are things that you take with you for life. And I mean you’ll have to tune in and see what happens with Chris Martin. But I mean honestly I just feel blessed and honored to even have that opportunity.

Melissa Jimenez: Same here. I mean these are two people that I can honestly say that I respect and I listen to. And I mean Jill Scott – such a powerful woman, powerful artist. I respect her as a musician, song writer. And what gives me the chills is that being that I’m such a fan of her, I usually have like a, you know, us as artists, we have a regimen when we’re getting ready for I guess a show or a recording or whatnot. And for me, I listen to music that puts me at ease. And she’s part of my playlist. So when I walked in, and to see her face, it was like oh my God, this is not – somebody pinch me because I just finished listening to her playlist before going to the rehearsal at the piano. And it’s humbling. It’s exciting. It’s thrilling. Sometimes I lose my words. And she’s a woman that – man, I just wanted to stay quiet and whatever she needed to tell me, I was just going to absorb like a sponge. And same thing with Chris Martin. I mean Coldplay – are you kidding me? He has these incredible hits. And the way he writes – he inspires me as a songwriter to push myself and step outside of the box and be more I guess more intricate with the way I write. And so I take everything in and I’m just taking pictures with my mind to put into my scrapbook for The Voice. And it’s been an incredible journey so far. So I’m very grateful.

Q) Ddendyl and Megan, we got to see just a very little snippet of your battle last night. So I was hoping both of you could tell us a little bit more detail how it went and what swung the decision in your favor?

Ddendyl: Well, first of all that song – I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King – is probably the most perfect song that Shakira could have given me to battle. I really felt that while Lindsay is an incredible singer and that I respect her so much as an artist, I had the upper hand with that song because it just fit me like a glove. And it was really – what you didn’t see is that Lindsay and I had just a blast singing together. And we’re friends. And it was just such an honor to be able to have that experience and share that experience with her. And we, you know, we were dancing around and we were just really showing off everything we could. And it was just a great time. And I’m a little sad that the world didn’t get to see that. But I know that what I experienced was just so incredible.

Megan Ruger: Yes. It was a bummer that you didn’t get to see it because there were a lot of fun moments that Ria and I had. There was a lot of sweet moves that we made on stage. We had a great time. I’m glad that Blake paired us together. She’s like a little sister to me really. We have a lot of things in common – the way that we like to sing. He paired us together because we both have that edgy rock and different vibe that we put out there. And all I can say is we went out there and both of us sang our hearts out, and we had a blast. And from what they showed – it literally showed a good portion of us having a great time out there. And this song itself was interesting choice because Blake said that he had picked it because it went well over a previous season. And it was a cool song because it had a very unique message, you know? I’ve been through relationships and so has Bria, and it was really neat to share it with her and exchange stories before we sang it. Yes, it was a definitely tough thing though because we really bonded and we’re friends forever and it kind of makes me a little upset that it comes down to a competition. But we had a blast.

Q) And anything in particular you think swung the decision in your favor?

Megan Ruger: Just that I really worked on what Blake had asked me to do. I really brought the emotion and the power and the rasp. And I really worked the crowd and the stage. And I think that, I mean I protected it the last six years that I’ve been in Nashville. So it’s something that I’ve worked hard at. And I think that it showed.

Q) Melissa, you talk about Jill Scott, but we didn’t get to see last night a lot of what she said to you. We saw a lot of what she was saying to Brittnee. But could you share a little bit about sort of the notes she gave you and what you used?

Melissa Jimenez: Well with Jill, she gave me three amazing – I mean she’s very simple with her words but powerful. And I remember when she was – it was during one of our first band rehearsals she just went, just breathe. She said “MJ, just get out of your head.” And she was right because that’s something I’ve been dealing with. But I just needed the right team – the right mentor – to tell me that. I can only do so much for myself to better myself as an artist and a woman. But to have another – a strong, powerful woman like Jill tell me just let it all go – just breathe. And that was one that I really needed. Two, she said just swim in it. This is your ocean. This song is your ocean – just swim. You want to back pedal, you want to stroke, you want to butterfly – this is your moment. She just told me to breathe, to swim, and then she said live in the moment. And I knew exactly what she meant. She understood that it’s a hard process. And all of us artists, we go through so much emotionally and we’re excited and we just want to get on the stage and show kids what we could all do. That’s why we’re all here – top 48. But she said just live in the moment and just focus. So I remember applying that when I got on the stage with Brittnee. And all I really remember is tuning everybody out except Brittnee because you have to be in the moment with your battle partner and the band. So everybody else was blurred out and I was just living in the moment with the music and the song and just allowing the music to take over my body and whatever my body wanted to do, it did. So I’m grateful for Jill for connecting with me and touching me in that way – just with three simple things – breathe, swim and live in the moment.

Q) So will you do another battle round instead of the knockout rounds as they were like last year?

Melissa Jimenez: I mean everyone has to tune in. I don’t want to ruin any surprises. But this is a great twist. I’ve been a fan of the show since day one. So here I was thinking like oh I know what’s coming next, you know, whoohoo. But then when they’re like no, we switched stuff around – it’s exciting. So, you know, being able to have the continuation of battles is awesome – to be able to be challenged by another singer with a different type of flow or attitude or what they bring to the table. That’s something that I’m really looking forward to. So yes, I love this new segment that The Voice put in for Season 6. And just stay tuned and hopefully you guys will enjoy it too.

Q) Delvin, I loved your performance last night. But I was wondering if you felt added pressure performing Aloe’s song when he was sitting right in front of you?

Delvin Choice: Oh God, yes. It is – now I’ve been – the most stressful thing about the whole preparation for the battle is like I said in the post interview on the show, it’s almost like, you know, hearing that they were not too happy about our rehearsals was just like hearing your father tell you that he’s disappointed. It’s a lot of pressure. But I think the beauty behind it is allowing him to see others’ interpretation of his song. So I think that he was able to see how two other artists who were very different from one another were able to take what he created and make it into their own artwork.

Q) I was wondering did you feel maybe a little bit more prepared since you went through some of the audition process last season?

Delvin Choice: Oh my gosh. Nothing care prepare you for The Voice’s stage. And the only reason why I say that is because I mean I’ve been singing since I was three. And I’ve been on – I’ve been blessed to be able to go on numerous stages across like home and different states or whatever. But The Voice’s stage is a whole different breed. I think the different behind The Voice’s stage and others is that with this stage in particular, you’re literally singing for your life. You have so many people on your shoulders that you are supporting now that have supported you throughout your career up to you getting there. And so I think that this opportunity is nothing in comparison to what I went through last season because I didn’t even get this far last season. So it’s all a brand new thing.

Q) Does that add a lot of pressure when you’re singing with somebody who’s really a friend of yours and you’re competing against them?

Delvin Choice: Oh Lord, no. No, it doesn’t. It actually makes the situation a little bit better. It’s different whenever you’re on stage with your friend because it’s a whole different feel because it’s just like well we’re on stage together. We’re on stage working. We’re competing to do what we’re here to do. And in all actuality – and I don’t mean to sound kind of like gruff or anything, but we’re not there to make friends. It just happened. That’s like an added bonus. We’re really there to work and to get the job done and to achieve this ultimate goal by winning The Voice and being The Voice. So I mean it was just a plus that I was able to grow to love and like this guy – I mean Caleb. And he’s still one of the coolest, funniest dudes that I’ve ever met in my life. I love our relationship. And I wouldn’t have asked for a better battle partner. I mean we made a joke about it. Before we found out who we were actually going to battle we said that whoever we battle, we’re going to have like the most fun with like – it’s just going to be so much fun because we both have such big personalities. And come to find out – bam, we’re battling each other. So we just made sure that we stuck true to what it was regardless of whatever the song was. We had to go out there and just give the people what they wanted. And they wanted a good show. And I feel like they actually got that.

Q) What is the one thing so far that you’ve learned that Adam has taught you about yourself that you probably didn’t know or didn’t realize?

Delvin Choice: I think one of the biggest things that I’ve learned from Adam was that I’m not just a one dimensional singer. And so he has challenged us to – well I’ll say for myself – he’s challenged me to basically come out of my comfort zone and just like figure out who I am even more as an artist. I think that’s the biggest thing that I’ve learned from Adam is like I don’t want to just be classified as just an R&B soul singer which I wouldn’t even classify myself as that. But he’s just one of the persons that he’s just like “you, I believe in you.” And so it’s something to hear like one of the people that you look up to in the industry just like you, like Adam Levine just told me that he believes in me and that, I’m like you, “Are you serious?” So that’s it. Like it’s the small things that matter like not so much as even the critiques or all of that. Like all of that stuff will come in the competition. But just to know that your coach that you chose is really like willing to invest his time into you. That is one of the biggest things I’ve learned from him that he has like the biggest heart.

Q) Ddendyl, what has been the best part and the most challenging part of participating on The Voice so far?

Ddendyl: The most challenging part of participating on The Voice – I mean if I’m being honest the most challenging part is seeing all the friends that I’ve gotten to know go home. That’s really tough. And I think a lot of us – we forget sometimes that we’re in a competition. And not everybody gets to make it and gets to go through. And that’s really difficult just emotionally and mentally. And also when you are competing and you’re in that battle mode, it’s really difficult to just really be in that duet and not try to out sing each other. Because I think that when you’re out singing each other it makes a really terrible battle. And it just really doesn’t make it a good show. But that’s kind of tough to have a desire to do certain things and hold back a little bit and let the other person shine when they need to be shining and then vice versa. So that to me was the most difficult part was watching my friend go home and really understanding that even though you’re battling it’s still a duet and you need to be as, you know, as generous as possible to the other person.

Q) How about the best part?

Ddendyl: The best part – oh my God. There’s so many incredible things about The Voice starting with being able to coach with these incredible artists. Miranda Lambert really gave me so much advice and encouragement. And it was just so incredible to be able to work with her and absorb what she was saying. And that’s really been just so inspiring and mind blowing and so surreal. Every time people ask me “How is it working with Shakira? How is it working with Miranda Lambert?” I have to kind of pinch myself to remind me that wow, this is real and I didn’t just dream it all.

Q) Melissa, what’s been the best and the challenging part of competing on The Voice?

Melissa Jimenez: The best part is being on The Voice period. I mean we have this amazing platform and opportunity. I mean you see it on TV and you see all the glitz and the glamour and the stage and the noise and the action and the crowd. And you’re just like, “Wow. You know what? I want to be there. I want to see if I can make it there.” And now that we’ve all made it this far, it’s amazing – every step of the way. And it’s challenging. And for me that’s what’s the best part. I am a person that loves a challenge. I love to show what I can bring to the table. I like to prove people wrong. And that’ what motivates me. If they are my supporters or my doubters, it doesn’t matter. I’m still going to push through. So the best part is the challenge that it gives me as an artist and to be able to work with these amazing coaches. I have Usher. I’ve been a fan of him since I can’t – since a little girl. And he’s the coach that I wanted from the start. And I am blessed that he turned around because he heard something in my voice. So to work with him and to continue to get those moments where he can still give me some feedback or criticism or pointers, whatnot – that’s the best part for me. So it’s the challenge and it’s also being able to absorb all the knowledge that Usher has to offer for all of us on Team Usher and whoever will be on his team as well. And yes, I think that’s sort of – I kind of put the best and the challenging together. The challenging also is to really continue to stay connected and focused with the show and to remain humble and grounded which I’ve been – my father has always taught me to always stay grounded and humble. Even last night even though we were happy to see the battle and to celebrate, he allowed me to celebrate for a quick second. And then he’s like all right, time to get back to work. So that’s what I’ve always – how I’ve always gone into every situation. And to also stay healthy because this show, you know, it can – there’s a lot of hours that we all put into. And we work very hard and we want to do the best that we can. So another challenging aspect is to just remain healthy and keep our voices as powerful and strong as possible so we can give an incredible vocal on this show.

Q) Clarissa, in the beginning when we were watching the footage of your rehearsals for the battle rounds, it seemed like Shakira and Miranda were concerned that you and Jeremy weren’t really working together. So I was wondering how you guys seemed together more for your performance?

Clarissa Serna: Well as you can probably see in the video, I’m super nervous – like I’ve just got this really serious look on my face. So I think I was a bit star struck – like actually getting to interact with Shakira and Miranda. In the beginning it was a struggle for me personally because I wasn’t super familiar with the song, and intimidating because Jeremy was. But I think that with practice and with the great feedback that they gave us, we were able to work on it together and develop more chemistry with the lyrics and performance wise as well to make a better delivery and to do the very best that we possibly could on stage together. We didn’t look at it as a competition although this whole show is a competition. Our goal was to just put on a really amazing show and just act like it was our concert and we’re on this world tour and we were going to rock this stage.

Q) Did it surprised you that Jeremy wasn’t stolen by any of the other coaches?

Clarissa Serna: I was dumbfounded. I actually was in the back doing my interview. And they’re asking me questions and I couldn’t answer anything until I heard one of those chairs that pushed the button. And when they didn’t I was really devastated. And I think you could tell at the end of my interview which they didn’t show that it really hurt me because I really thought it was a guarantee that no matter which one of us one that the other would get stolen. I feel like we have a lot to offer Team Shakira. And I feel like The Voice needs like a rock, blues or soul artist to win this year – something kind of indie and different. And I felt like what the best have had to offer. So it was really hard for me personally, emotionally. Jeremy and I became really close and very good friends. And it hurt to see him – to see his journey end there.

Q) If we go back to the blind audition, all of the coaches really fought for you. They really all wanted you to be on their team. As you went into the battle round, I’m wondering did that give you sort of motivation or momentum or did it put more pressure on you to perform?

Clarissa Serna: I haven’t watched every season of The Voice previously. But in my opinion it doesn’t really matter how many chairs you get from the beginning as far as progressing through the show goes. I think that yes, it can definitely take its toll on your nerves and create more pressure for you personally and internally because you feel like you have so much to prove. It seems like it would be reassuring because you feel like oh well, maybe if I don’t get through this part I’ll get stolen. But it really comes down to the quality of your performance and how you are as an individual – not just your voice but your personality and how you carry yourself as well. And it’s a good thing. It’s great. I definitely felt the pressure with that. I wanted to bring everything I had to the table and I think that yes, you kind of like get yourself up to a certain level and you feel like you have to top that. So I guess I would say that yes, it does add a lot of pressure to the next round and the following rounds after that because you feel like you always have to be taking another step higher.

Q) Obviously you’re not new to singing. You’ve been a singer before. You’ve performed on stage. You had a sense of how you wanted to sing and how you wanted to perform coming into this competition. I’m wondering how is the show and working with coaches? How has it made you a better singer and a better performer than before you began?

Clarissa Serna: I think it’s proved my performance skills and definitely my vocal skills as well. I’m a wing it kind of girl, and I’m pretty self-taught as far as performance and singing goes. So it was really nice to be in a more professional environment and to have that professional setting with vocal coaches and our  celebrity coaches as well – choreography and everything like that that goes into it. It’s a lot of preparation, which I’m a total procrastinator. I kind of just wing it for everything that I do in my life. And I enjoy having that lifestyle but it made me realize how important it is to come into something like this. If it means that much to you to really be prepared and to know that you actually gave it your all and put in all the process that it takes to deliver the best performance possible.

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*