Pamela Flores is a staple in the Asbury Park music scene. And good for reason. Her tremendous voice, her tremendous musicianship, and her powerful lyrics embody the spirit of the city that Bruce built. We caught up with her recently to talk about returning to the stage with her band for the first time in months, being featured in a major magazine, and more.
The Members of Your Band Are (Names & Instruments They Play): playing at Happy Monday’s will be Steve Honoshowsky, Dan Haase, Chris Colon & Guy Fiumarelli
Year You Began Performing: In Asbury since 2014
You’re Based Out Of: Asbury Park!
Your Sound Has Been Likened To: i don’t even know haha sometimes there’s Janis Joplin comparisons sometimes Lauryn Hill it’s all over the place lol
You’ve Seen Me/The Band Members in Other Bands Before Such As: I’ve done some guest appearances with Yawn Mower & Chris Rockwell. Steve plays bass for Daughter Vision, Dan plays bass for a Rachel Ana Dobken, Chris plays guitar for literally everyone in town but mostly Levy & the Oaks, Tara Dente and the Blind Pilots and Luxtides.
Famous/Awesome Bands You’ve Shared The Stage With: I’m very fortunate to have played some great shows with some really ridiculously talented folks. A stand out one, because she bought me a plant and that was really awesome, was Caitlyn Smith (who wrote Meghan Trainor’s hit song “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”)
In your announcement of the upcoming Happy Mondays show you said this is the first time in a few months and your band were performing. Can you talk about the feelings you have coming back on stage (with a band) after such a long hiatus?
I’m very excited, I love nothing more than performing live. It’s such an adrenaline rush and I get to be on my stage with some talented dudes. I couldn’t be happier to be playing with them again.
You also mentioned new music. How do you feel this new music stands out from your songs you’ve been playing in Asbury for the past few years?
It’s taken me a very long time to record and we’ve worked on a different sound as far as studio recordings go. Paul Ritchie who’s our producer has seriously been the greatest in helping us get outside of the box a little bit but also respecting and working with what we do.
You were recently featured in Marie Clare magazine — can you talk about the experience of seeing yourself in magazine?
Ummmm insane! (laughs). I love the recognition that Asbury is getting and I’m just happy to be a part of it. They reached out via Instagram and the rest is history!
You recent did a cover of “Let it Be” to raise money for the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and you were also featured prominently in NJ.com’s piece on sexual harassment and the treatment of women in the New Jersey music scene. Can you talk about your work with NJCASA, and after speaking out in that NJ.com piece, did you feel you needed, now more than ever, to use your art to fight for this cause?
I’m a social media ambassador for NJCASA so what that means is I use my social media platforms to help spread the word about them and all the amazing work they do to help put an end to sexual violence. I have been pretty outspoken about sexual assault for the past few years and have hosted benefit shows for NJCASA, Joyful Heart Foundation & Planned Parenthood. I think it’s important that, regardless of what we do in life, we do what we can to leave this world a better place.
What’s been your proudest accomplishment as a musician? Ah man just the fact that I can continue doing this and not be completely broke lol
What are you most excited about for the rest of 2019?
Definitely recording new music.
What’s a definitive goal you have for your music in 2019?
Making sure that whatever I put out there I 100% love and am proud of it, because what’s the point of even creating if we’re not happy with the outcome?
