Drowned Madonna: Raistalla, your are very famous as a dancer, but now you are promoting your first album, self–titled “Raistalla”. You launched your Club Tour in Japan and now you are performing in the major hot spots across Miami, New York and Los Angeles. How is your show? Beside, singing, do you also dance?

Raistalla: My show is very energetic, filled with lots of personality… and of course I dance throughout the whole show.

DM: How many song do you perform?

R: It depends on the venue. Anywhere between 1 and 7 songs.

DM: What’s the difference between dancing on stage for other music artists and singing your own songs?

R: As a back-up dancer you’re always limited in your performance. As an artist there are no boundaries.

DM: And what about the differences between the Japanise audience and the American audience?

R: As always the Japanese come across as reserved but actually if you can really relate to them they’ll party right along with you. America is pretty much the same, just less reserved.

DM: Are you planning to come in Europe to promote your album?

R: HELL YEAH!!!

DM: Your 11-tracks album is due out in the summer… it has an electro-funk style, is it right?

R: Yes, Electro/Funk, Soul/Punk.

DM: Can you give us some details?

R: It’s filled with lots of characters that take you through the wackiness of my mind. It visits many different genres like: rock, funk, 80’s, house, and hip hop, in a soulfully electronic blend.

DM: Which is your favourite track?

R: I don’t know, there’s a few favorites.. (smailing).

DM: Is there a song which came immediately?

R: “Tonight”, “Feel Good”, “Krazy”, and “Good Work”.

DM: You worked with producers Kaz Gamble and Justin Filmer. When did you meet them?

R: I met Kaz in early 2004 through his partner Sisely Treasure of Cooler Kids/BoygirL. She asked my best friend Galen and I to dance for them. I immediately connected with they’re music. Justin I met later. Kaz sent me to NY to record with him in the summer of 2005. He adds a nice organic feel to my sound.

DM: How was working with them?

R: It’s great! Kaz is like the producer version of me. He produces music like how I dance and sing. We compliment one another well. Justin is very cool as well. His production is so funkaliscious and he’s a very good listener/interpreter.

DM: Where did you record your album?

R: In LA and NY.

DM: Did you complete it?

R: It’ll be totally complete in April, but released for sale in summer 2006.

DM: Your song “Attention” is already in rotation in few US radio station.. is it the first single from the album?

R: We don’t know yet. We’re still testing the waters..

DM: What does it feels listening to your own music on the radio for the first time?

R: It’s absolutely breath taking yet natural. It's like I can’t believe it but that’s how I feel it should be.

DM: What does “Attention” talk about?

R: “Attention” is basically about a girl who loves to tease and flirt with boys and make them want her but only as long as they don’t become attached.

DM: Are you already working on a video?

R: Yes, we are contemplating the treatment for the potential singles.

DM: Raistalla, you has spent the past 5 years as a professional dancer, appearing with some of the top names such as Madonna, Outkast, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Prince, and Stevie Wonder. Did they inspire you while writing your own songs?

R: Yes they did.

DM: Having started your career as professional dancer, why did you find yourself writing music?

R: I don’t know. Since I was a kid I always hummed silly little tunes and never really thought about where they came from. As dancing grew stale as an outlet for me I started to write out my expressions.

DM: When did you realize that you could be a professional singer?

R: I think in the back of my mind I always knew being a professional singer was an option but I wasn’t ready yet. I was still preoccupied with fulfilling my dreams as a dancer.

DM: Will you keep on dancing as a professional dancer?

R: For now yes, until my music takes off… but, I’ll always be dancing.

DM: Did you send your music to Madonna? What was her opinion?

R: Yes. I sent it to her in its pre stages. She appreciated its originality.

DM: Rainstalla, when did you start learning to dance?

R: I started dancing at the age of 6. I started with tap, ballet, jazz, and musical theatre.

DM: What was your first professional job as a dancer?

R: The Winter Olympics 2002 with Christina Aguilera.

DM: Which was the most excinting?

R: Touring with OUTKAST.

DM: Let’s talk about Madonna… You were one of her dancers for her re-Invention Tour back in 2004. Who did talk to you about the auditions?

R: Well, I had literally just flown in from touring with Stacie Orrico in Japan, my agent left me a message about Madonna’s audition for her next tour, starting at about 2hrs from when I arrived. I didn’t think I could make it nor did I believe I had a good chance at booking it, but I tried anyway.

DM: Can you tell us something about the auditions and what you felt when they told you “You’re hired!”?

R: Well, first of all it ended up being a four-day process, which was totally unexpected. I didn’t think I had a chance… and then I was kept for a call back. At that moment the audition had become serious to me. On day one, we did characteristic type choreography with bamboo sticks. It sort of had the chimney sweep feel from Mary Poppins. Day two we had to learn Tango. Day three we got to practice the Tango combo with several partners. Day four, “Judgement Day,” we auditioned against the NY dancers in front of the big boss. When it came down to the last bunch she called twelve of us in and asked us questions about our lifestyles and ourselves. Then she said those three lovely words, “Congratulations, you’re hired.” I thought, “this is it, finally I get to go on the big tour I’ve always dreamed of going on.”

DM: What about the rehearsals in Los Angeles? Which were the first tracks you worked on?

R: WOW that’s a tough one. It was so long ago. I think we worked on “Express Yourself” first.

DM: What was the most exciting things that happened during the rehearsals?

R: Being able to learn new forms of art. Ex: Swings, Skate Boarding, Exhibition (working with rifles), Irish drumming, Tango etc… and watching Cloud come up with all these tricks..

DM: Was there tension on the set?

R: Sometimes.

DM: How much does Madonna’s point of view affect the final show?

R: Tremendously. I think she has the final say.

DM: Do you remember the Opening Night in Los Angeles?

R: OOOOHHHH YEAH!! That was definitely a moment in time. The crowd went wild as the two enormous LCD screens opened up. I was backstage like, "yes, yes, I’m about to let them have it." The whole show went well for me and they had this big VIP party afterwards where everyone talked about the show and said they’re congrats to everyone, and there were other celebrities there, and lots of food and friends and family, and media, just craziness everywhere. I loved it!

DM: Was it scaring?

R: No, it was very long awaited. I couldn’t wait to get out there..

DM: Did it happen that you forgot or mistake something on stage?

R: Not usually, but sometimes things would get crazy under the stage. Depending on the type of day we’d have would affect the timing for things like getting your wardrobe and make up done early so that you’re not rushing. Then there were always injuries to worry about. If you got injured that would automatically ale your performance because your thinking about trying not to hurt yourself again while still performing to the best of your ability so that no one notices you’re injured.

DM: What was your costume for the "American Life" performance?

R: I had a military type uniform with a green beret and black gloves with the fingertips cut out.

DM: Talking about that section… what is your opinion on the war?

R: It’s stupid and selfish.

DM: Which is your favourite part from the re-Inventiont Tour?

R: Performing “Vogue” and “American Life” and listening to Madonna play “Burning Up” from under the stage. I’d mimic the guitar like if I were some big bad super star.

DM: Were you a fan of Madonna before meeting her?

R: Yes.

DM: What is your opinion now that you have worked with her?

R: I admire her work ethics and think she’s incredibly funny and witty.

DM: What about Kabbalah?

R: “What about Kabbalah?”…Hhhhmmm

DM: Did you see her documentary “I’m Going To Tell You A Secret”? Did you like yourself?

R:Yes, however I wish I hadn’t been so reserved when the cameras came around.

DM: Was it annoying having the cameras always following you?

R: No, they weren’t on my tail cause I usually didn’t give them anything to inquire about.

DM: Is there something you would have liked it to be on the final cut of the film?

R: Yeah, the letter I wrote and read to Madonna for her birthday.

DM: Who is the dancer you have bound more that anybody else?

R: Reshma Gajjar, the Indian girl.

DM: And who is the most talented in your opinion?

R: CLOUD.

DM: How was working with Jamie King and his assistants?

R: Absolutely wonderful!! I felt like I was finally working with people that think like me.

DM: What about working with the Talauega Brothers?

R: That was cool, too cause I loooooooovvveee their style.

DM: Which was the most challenging choreography?

R: None really. The only challenge I would’ve had was if I was one of the three swing girls, YIKES. That was tough.

DM: Are you still in contact with Madonna, the choreographers and the other dancers?

R: Yes.

DM: What would you feel is Madonna would come to one of your club gig in Los Angeles?

R: That would be kinda crazy!! Maybe I should ask her.

DM: Do you like the new Madonna’s album, “Confessions on a Dance Floor”?

R: It's cool.

DM: Let’s talk about another world-wide mythm.. Prince.. What would you say about him and your experience as a dancer for him?

R: I would say he’s a machine. He’s always on the move.

DM: You also had the privilege of working with Stevie Wonder… what are your memories?

R: I remember the first time seeing him. I wanted to give him a great big hug cause I loved and admired him so much. I think every time I looked at him I’d say thank you in my head. He was really cool, though. He liked us to be loose and free (not so uptight), but we couldn’t cause “hello Stevie’s in the room.”

DM: Raistalla, you have only 23 years old, but you have already done so much successful things in the entertainment world. Do you ever find yourself thinking about all the things you have already done?

R: Sometimes I have to take a moment and remind myself of all the things I’ve done so that I can be grateful, but I still feel like I’m behind and should’ve been doing more, then.

DM: What do you expect from the future?

R: A total uncasing of my shell.

DM: Do you remember your childhood’s dreams? Were dancing and singing amoung them?

R: As a child I always lived in the moment and never thought too much about the future. I just knew whatever I was into at the time was the best thing ever at that time for me.