Soluna

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 a large acting resume, including a recent role on General Hospital.

Formation

Soluna began in 1998 when Aurora Rodriguez and America Olivo, 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.

oluna's musical debut - "For All Time"

Soluna's debut album was finished by summer of 2001. It featured tracks with pop, 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 acapella "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 acappella 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.

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 UPN 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.

oluna 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 Olivo 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 [http://www.myspace.com/jessicacastellanos 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.

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, [http://www.americaolivo.com www.americaolivo.com] as well as a MySpace page, reachable via [http://www.myspace.com/americaolivo 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 22nd, 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 "". 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 [http://www.myspace.com/tlopezmusic 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 of 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.

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."

Discography

Albums

Chart history

External links

* [http://solunaonline.livejournal.com Soluna/Former Members News Feed @ Live Journal]
* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=470446&model.vnuAlbumId=530796 Soluna's chart history on Billboard.com]
* [http://www.jessicacastellanos.com/ Jessica Castellanos's Official Site/MySpace]
* [http://www.americaolivo.com America Olivo's Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/americaolivo America Olivo's Myspace Page]
* [http://www.myspace.com/tlopezmusic Tee Lopez's Myspace Page]