In celebrating Women’s History Month, there are so many talented and strong women when it comes to music and the arts. As a matter of fact, there are many women right here at Monmouth University, paving their way into the industry; teaching us that following your dreams and staying true to who you are is what makes a woman unbreakable.
Chelsea Lagotta, a sophomore Music Industry major, has loved music for as long as she can remember from listening to whatever music her family had playing, such as “I Don’t Care” by Fall Out Boy. “I think one of the first moments I remember falling in love with music and singing, was in the back of [her mom’s] car, listening to some of the songs she would play that I have always remembered as my childhood favorites,” Lagotta said.
Looking back, it was these moments that had a big influence on her sound and wanting to play with that energy and intensity that entices people to listen. Her musical journey officially started when she was in fourth grade and decided to join the school chorus choir and take piano lessons. She gradually moved from the piano to other instruments like the guitar and ukulele, which she still plays today.
Lagotta is the lead singer of her very own band, The Peach Trees who performed at Blue Hawk Records (BHR) “Rocktober: Battle of the Bands.” She has also performed originals like her song, “Do You Feel The Same?” which debuted at BHR and the Black Student Union’s “Valentine’s Day Classroom Concert.”
When asked about her songwriting process, she explained that it’s way more chaotic than people think, endless amount of notes in her phone to say the least. But it’s the experiences throughout her life that make her art worth it. “People go through a lot in their day-to-day lives, more than they often realize, so it can be therapeutic to just sit down and take all of those feelings and channel them into something really artistic and beautiful,” Lagotta said.
She draws from her inspirations from older generations of music and newer like Sara Bareilles and Chappell Roan. Both of which have created such an accepting and healthy creative environment for other women in the industry. As always, nothing is every easy when you’re in the public eye as a woman.
She said, “Sometimes it feels like you have to work twice as hard to get any recognition, but at the same time, knowing there are other women out there who have been through the same experiences as you and being able to share that with them is really comforting. You can support each other and really help each other succeed. I think that’s a really beautiful thing.”
Another woman in music is Olivia Melfi, a senior Music major with a concentration in Music Industry. You might know Melfi from being featured on BHR compilation album’s such as,“Vol. 21: Queen of Hearts” and “Vol. 19: Back On Track.”
Her love of music came from something us 2000s kids know all too well: Disney Channel. “My all time idol has always been Demi Lovato. I fell in love with her as Mitchie Torres in Camp Rock and just resonated so much with her character. That ended up carrying into my lifelong obsession with her and her entire discography, and the fuel behind why I write and pursue music,” Melfi said. This led her to discovering artists such as Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Alessia Cara, Tory Kelly, and GAYLE, all of which breathe the Indie Pop and Punk sound.
Melfi’s songwriting has evolved as she has, in terms of structure and her personal experiences with being a musician. She explained how, music is such an intimate world and her private life, and experiences are out in the open for all to listen. Vulnerability is no easy task for any artist, but in that she’s found a sense of feeling and connecting with other artists.
It’s Melfi’s sound that sets her apart from other musicians. “I would have never guessed I would be making such gritty pop-punk-inspired recordings if you had asked teenage me writing annoying heartbreak songs in my bedroom; but it honestly makes a lot of sense given the Disney Channel pop-rock music I grew up listening to.”
Her very first recordings with BHR have subtle nods to that Pop/Rock/R&B sound she’s grown so fond of. Melfi’s newer music such as, “SECOND GUESSING” and “TOO FAST” scream pop-punk princess; Lovato would be proud. These along with her song “Proud of You,” “place card,” and her Christmas cover of the Alvin & the Chipmunks classic, “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” turned out to be her favorite productions.
She explained how creating, as beautiful as it is, can also be a curse. “…Perfectionism can be so consuming. But I think it’s a privilege to be able to create something that means so much to you and because of that, you want everything you poured into the song to be felt by your listeners as well,” she said.
Throughout her entire musical journey Melfi chooses to live by her father’s words: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” An important reminder that people were born with talents for a reason, and living a life of loving your passion is the most fulfilling life one could ever have. Melfi also mentioned having the ability to be that inspiration for younger girls who might be shy, just like how Demi Lovato inspired her to break out of her shell.
“My past with social anxiety used to be something I was embarrassed about and discouraged by, but I have connected with so many people through sharing my story and music that relate to my struggles and are able to resonate with me and my art because of it. It’s a beautiful thing,” Melfi said.
And last but certainly not least is Amani Lillian Adelekan, senior Music Industry major. Adelekan grew up with musician parents who really surrounded her world with music. “I grew up listening to everything. Having a father who is a music producer and a mother who is an actress and singer, I listened to everything from R&B to Rock and Gospel to Pop,” Adelekan said. Like Melfi, Adelekan absorbed music from her childhood, such as Disney Channel and Radio Disney, which made her fall in love with music.
Adelekan’s musical style is absolutely infectious. Her song, “Take Up Everything (Oblivious)” was featured on BHR’s “Vol. 23: Chapter XXIII,” which really shows who Adelekan is as an artist. “…I just love it for the creative expression that reflects my personal sound so well, both lyrically and melodically. I have Max Wolf to thank for the production on that one,” she said. Her songwriting process comes from her personal experiences, whether it’s past or present. She starts with the chords and melodies, gradually getting into the creative headspace while playing her guitar as the lyrics get flushed out. While she’s always loved the Pop and R&B sounds and styles she would love to explore other genres like Country, Rock, Jazz, and Christian music.
Music has shaped her into becoming a more fearless version of herself. “I used to be very shy to share my passion with the world and those around me. A lot of that shyness came from a place of self-doubt that I could not achieve the things that I am actively pursuing now,” Adelekan said.
It’s this feeling that led Adelekan to be the President of Monmouth’s Women In Music chapter, where she can pour her heart and soul into ensuring future generations of women here have support. She said, “It means so much to me…Being a black woman in this creative space has its ups and downs, but most important it gives me the courage to keep pushing boundaries of the inclusivity of the music industry.”
As we continue on through this month celebrating women in all sorts of different spaces, let’s lift each other up instead of down. The possibilities when music is involved are endless, it’s one of those art forms that connects and unites so many people. I’ll leave you with some advice from Adelekan, “Don’t let fear hold you back from following your dreams. You would rather be scared while taking risks than comfortable and regretful.”
