Passion Series: Melanie Fontana, Singer/Songwriter
Melanie is one talented mother fucker and she has the work ethic to go along with it. Just look at what her Instagram BIO says...
"I write songs for The Chainsmokers, Bieber, BTS, Britney Spears, Krewella, Aaron Carter, Daya, R3Hab + more."
That alone say's it all. It says so much, that I've been sitting and staring at those words for the past 20 minutes and could not think of anything else to write for this intro.
30 min later...(insert Sponge Bob meme)
I guess I will just keep this short and sweet. Melanie is one amazing human being. I've had the honor of photographing her on two separate occasions, but the greatest honor is being able to call her my friend. She's always a blast to be around, and the fact that the world has a chance to witness her work ethic through her instagram account is a blessing that everyone needs to see. It's people like Mel that make life beautiful. She will inspire you to no end, and will with out a doubt be there to support you along the way.
For this photoshoot we hit the streets of Burbank, CA at golden hour to create these images. To say the least, she made my job easy. Enjoy the photos and be prepared to be inspired.
ImagesbyMarkMendoza - Would you mind introducing yourself, and telling us who Melanie is?
Melanie Fontana - Melanie is a person who defines her mood day-to-day by her failures & successes. I’m in a constant state of “working on it” & yet, in recent years, I’ve learned to hugely appreciate my smaller wins.
IbMM - How did you get your start in the music industry?
MF - I met a VERY successful producer via MySpace years ago. I invested in myself & flew to LA to work with him in 2008. While this relationship led us musically nowhere, I utilized the connections & friendships I made while working at his compound to work myself into writing in rooms with bigger & bigger production teams.
"Say yes to every opportunity. Even the small stuff; say yes & go do it."
IbMM - What do you think music does for people?
MF - It’s the diary entry you never wrote.
IbMM - You've worked with some pretty big artists so far; is there one artist who would be the end all be all for you?
MF - It’s an ever-changing goal. By the grace of heaven, I’ve worked with many of my own “white whales”. There are a few I’d like to work with again. For instance: Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers & Meghan Trainor: these are artists I love, respect, have written with or for & would LOVE to write with again. A person I’d kill to write with, who I’ve not had the chance with, is Josh Ramsay from the band Mariana’s Trench. Oh! AND Katy Perry, Sam Smith, Adele, Beyoncé & Bruno Mars.
IbMM - Was there a song you wrote that you loved, but never saw the light of day?
MF - I currently have about 20+ massive hits sitting impatiently (yet quietly) on a hard drive.
IbMM - What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far, or proudest moment?:
MF - I recently went #1 with the South Korean super band BTS. My single “Euphoria” was #2 on the iTunes Charts for days. It felt like what I imagine it feels like scoring a winning goal in the World Cup.
IbMM - If you could tell your 18 year old self anything, what would it be?
MF - Don’t. Call. Him. Back. You are more than the number on your stupid scale. Work out less. Your soulmate is waiting. He’s just sleeping in Germany right now.
IbMM - What's one piece of advice you could give for anyone wanting to do what you do?
MF - Say yes to every opportunity. Even the small stuff; say yes & go do it. Don’t say no until you know deep in your gut you’ve outgrown whatever it is you’re doing. Then say yes a little bit longer.
IbMM - Do you have any inspirations?
MF - I am SO empowered by the writers who are even further along on their journey than I. I look up to them so much. Knowing what’s possible fuels my fire!
IbMM - Do you have any personal mantra's, or favorite quotes you always reference?
MF - “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right. I hope you had the time of your life.” - Green Day
Thank you for your time Mel, and for your enthusiasm and willingness to do this interview with me. I can't fucking wait to see all your success!
Follow her journey:
Instagram: @MelanieJoyFontana
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieJFontana/
