We caught up with the brilliant and insightful MARIA ROSADO a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

MARIA, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on, I would have to say, would be Myself. I’ve gone years with facing unresolved grief and mental Health obstacles and it took one decision of moving across country alone to bring Myself to center. Something I’ve never been able to do. “Practice makes perfect” they say, but for me…it makes music. The ability to apply self love and working the inner weaves of Internal conflict/depression didn’t come easy, but the endurance and process of repair came with time. It also aided in the blossoming of my new EP. “Late Nights on Walnut Hill.” Healing has been the epitome of my writing, which has significantly impacted my music. Not just for myself. but those who listen. it has become more than just a body of work, but therapy. There is a responsibility in being a Creative and being able to utilize the damage and pain one goes through and migrating it into the Beauty of renewal within. A continuous Meaningful project. Life work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, My name is Goldi. I have been songwriting/singing since 1998. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a little girl. Watching my Mother and Father dance with loud playing music and more people gathering. I remember looking up and seeing so many smiling faces and laughter. Growing up in Brooklyn Ny and moving to Norfolk, Virginia in 98 was a culture shock for a kid like me. But, moving to VA is where I discovered my gifts. It wasn’t until 2019 that I actually entered into the music industry. I found my why in music, when I found myself. Seeing people come together. The love, the experience. This is my purpose. To Unify. What better way to do that, then to do it through music?

Writing has always been my Passion. English was my favorite subject. Except, I was always a rebel and could never, write as my teachers wanted. Going against the grain was my niche. There’s so much substance beyond subject to me. But in school we wrote to get the grade. I wrote to reach, understand and evoke. I was a pain. But, I learned a lot. I believe my songwriting is at a Depth of pure story telling yet, expressive from a place that others normally don’t write from. My perspective and my intentions are from an “out of the box” perspective and this unique trait can be refreshing to others.

I am not proud but encouraged when my work helps to uplift, Inspire, elevate and heal others. The name Goldi, was birthed after my father passed. He was a Vietnam Vet who aided his comrades through the war by singing to them. “To the man with the golden voice”, is written on the back of his platoon photo. Being a Lover of the Japanese/Chinese culture, I came across the Art of Kintsugi. It is broken pottery that is repaired with gold lacquer. Kintsugi, is the Art of embracing damage and making it Beautiful again. That is who I am. Someone who has been broken in several places but repaired to Beauty. Again. I represent a world that comes from brokenness. Embracing it and recognizing its beauty.

JOB 23:10 (NIV)
“But he knows the way I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Something I think that non- creatives will struggle to understand about my journey as a creative is that none of my successes are overnight. I believe that everything has a time and a place and that experiences also hold a space. Every level of my music career prepares me for the next. Being an Artist isn’t as easy as some may think. There are so many hidden factors. Financial, physical and mental just to name a few. Some of us work our whole lives to reach one moment that’ll change our lives.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Where do I begin? lol, I decided to Move to SA, TX and tour with my band. We were set to tour and open our own music studio. It’s said, that if you wanna make God laugh…tell him your plans. Well, his stomach must be in pain from the laughter of what I thought I was going to do. Because, nothing went as planned. I fell into a deep depression and took off to Oregon. Oregon was my place of Healing. I faced myself and everything I wasn’t able to deal with within the past 7 years in one sitting. I was ready to give up on music. I’d been singing since 98′. I felt like I was running in place, not good enough. One thing about being a creative is that you may leave it, but it doesn’t leave you. For some, it’s the only thing that keeps you alive. I continually doubted myself being in a shamble of emotions, but I was becoming myself again. I puzzle pieced parts of myself I thought I had lost. One day, I had multiple friends email, text and call me to audition for a Gospel choir and I declined. I was an R&B Singer. At the last minute something told me to try out. So, I did. I got an email to audition and already counted myself out. But I had about 20 ppl who Believed in me more than I believed in myself and I made it to the audition. This was an evolution of self discovery for me. Why didn’t I believe In myself as much as they did. I picked up my feelings and proceeded. I auditioned and God stepped in and brought me back to VA, where the audition took place. A life changing decision that led to me to the most important place in my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @1goldiissoul
• Youtube: @goldiaquariansoul-child1486
• Other: linktr.ee/GOLDIMUZIK

Image Credits
TONEE LEARY, MACEO VISIONZ, MANNY PIERRE, what’s the occasion photography (Thomas)