Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

Chapa's rising career hits Myrtle Beach

Rising alt-pop rock artist Lorissa Chapa will make a special two-night appearance as the headline performer for Myrtlestock 2009 on Friday at Senor Frogs and Saturday at Drink.

Chapa has been busy promoting the release of her debut, "Selfish," which was released this year on Wicker Records. The first 100 fans at each show will receive a free CD.

This is Chapa's first time performing in Myrtle Beach, and she's excited. She says fans can expect to hear her original alternative pop-rock tunes, as well as a variety of covers ranging from country, to '80's rock to modern radio hits.

She will perform with her full band, including drummer Larry Pena, lead guitarist Chris Pena, bassist Alex Hernandez, guitarist Julian Gonzalez and backupvocalist Jeremy Chapa.

As for "Selfish," Chapa wrote eight out of the 10 tracks herself.

"They're all personal experiences and things I've been through in life, and I want to just bring that to life and give a little rock sound to it as well," Chapa said during a phone interview from Corpus Christi, Texas. "Whether I see a situation where I feel I want to write about it, or feel like somebody should hear it. And I just love writing poetry and I love writing music."

Chapa's hopes for the album are to gain recognition and reach new fans.

"With this one I just want everyone to know who I am, listen to it and get an idea of me," she said. "But I'm working on the second one now. I want the second one to be more of my input and the band's input and what we're capable of doing."

In addition to this being Chapa's first time in Myrtle Beach, she will also be celebrating her 21st birthday on Saturday night (she has been assured Myrtle Beach is a great place to celebrate one's 21st birthday).

Chapa was discovered when she was 10 and cast to star as the young Selena in the Broadway production of "Selena Forever." She was chosen out of more than a thousand girls and began touring at 11.

"That was amazing," Chapa recalls. "I got to travel all over the country and meet a lot of cool people and sing and act. It's pretty cool when you get paid to do something that you actually love. When you're only 11-years-old, you don't realize that it's work and you don't exactly realize how much you make either. It was all fun."

Starting her career at such a young age has prepared Chapa for performing in front of large audiences.

"I guess if there was any stage fright left, it all went away."

For more on Lorissa Chapa, visit www.lorissachapa.com. For more on Myrtlestock 2009, go to www.myspace.com/cierientertainment