Veronica Martell Entertainment is a New York City based boutique entertainment company providing live entertainment for the most extraordinary weddings, social, gala and corporate events. Specializing in all styles of music to create any mood for your event, Veronica Martell Entertainment excels at keeping your guests entertained from cocktails to the very last dance. All musical styles performed with professionalism, ease and exceptional musical quality. Recommended by several of New York's most impressive social addresses, Veronica Martell and her band are often paired with the top event planners in the industry including Mindy Weiss and Bryan Rafanelli. Veronica offers a unique, personal and customized musical approach to each event. Available for travel worldwide.

Contact: Veronica Martell

Website: www.veronicamartellentertainment.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 914.788.9587

Style Unveiled: How do you make a cover song your own?

Veronica Martell: As a 'cover' style band the greatest compliment you can receive is that you really sound like the original artist. All of my singers try to emulate the style of the song that they are singing - yet, since all voices are somewhat different, we are able to change the vocals and harmonies just slightly in a way that makes them our own while still staying true to the original recording. Another way to make cover songs more interesting is by changing the arrangement of the song - adding in some hip horn parts or a guitar or piano solo that works within the style of the music.

Style Unveiled: What is your first meeting with a couple like? What should they prepare?

Veronica Martell: In my first meeting I like to get a true sense of the couple - in their own words I like to have them describe what they envision their wedding to be. I often ask them to give me 5 adjectives to describe their wedding I find out what types/styles of music they enjoy and the styles that they feel their guests will love. Since each of our events is truly customized, I offer my clients a song list which helps them to see the variety of the music the band can perform and helps them to pick and choose not only styles but particular songs.

Couples should have their questions prepared and written down--I can't tell you how many times couples forget what they wanted to ask! Style Unveiled: What differentiates live music from a DJ?

Veronica Martell: DJs definitely have their place in the wedding market and most do a great job for a reasonable price. That being said, anyone who has experienced an amazing band at a wedding will tell you there is nothing like it! The energy and true party atmosphere that live performers bring to an event is really unmatched in my opinion. And there is one falsity that prevails in the Band vs. DJ decision - that using a band will limit your musical choices - that is simply NOT true!

Style Unveiled: If a couple loves a particular song that is outside your repertoire, what happens?

Veronica Martell: Part of our service is that we are more than happy to learn any first dance, parent dance or special request for our clients. In our 10+ years together, we have not yet come across a song that we cannot play - we've done everything from the band Staind to Bon Jovi to Michael Buble to Kenny Chesney to Buddy Holly and made it sound truly authentic! On rare occasions the bride and groom insist on playing the original recording of their first dance - maybe because they have been practicing their dance to the recording for so long and feel more comfortable dancing to it. But most of the time we learn, practice and perform all the music at every event.

Style Unveiled: What would your advice be to someone considering using an iPod at their wedding?

Veronica Martell: I think the best thing when using an iPod is to create playlists for different aspects of the event. During the cocktails I would stick to mostly instrumentals, during dinner a playlist of nice, background style music with or without vocals works well as guests are dining. Making a playlist for dancing will really help to keep the crowd up on their feet once they begin to dance.

Style Unveiled: What is the most surprising effect you've seen your music have at a wedding?

Veronica Martell: True story - a groom wanted to dance with his Mom who had been confined to a wheelchair for several years. We discussed it and and thought that it would be wonderful--after all didn't she deserve this special moment with her son? So he wheeled her out on the dance floor and we began to perform "Because you Loved Me" by Celine Dion. He held her hand and spun her around in the chair and she smiled and everyone applauded, but what happened next brought the house down. At one point he put his arms around her and lifted her up out of the chair and though she was somewhat unable to move he glided her around, carrying her weight on his. Everyone was sobbing - it was all the band and I could do to keep it together. It was one of the most amazing wedding moments I have had the privilege of sharing and I still get choked up thinking about it!

Style Unveiled: What skills do a wedding take that are different than a "regular" musician's gig?

Veronica Martell: I have mentioned this on my blog in previous months - You and your fiancee see a band in a bar and think they will be "GREAT" to play at your wedding. Ok, wait a minute - stop right there. Yes, it is true there are some very good bands playing in clubs or restaurants but playing at a wedding is a totally different story. A wedding band MUST be versatile - remember you will have guests in all different age ranges with all different musical tastes. Will you be able to have your music customized? The band should have a very broad range and be able to change styles on a dime. Most club bands are generally contemporary or rock based and do not have the range to perform at a four hour event without alienating some of your guests. Some other important questions to ask yourself are: Who is the bandleader? Who will be making my announcements? Do they seem like they are organized enough to handle the logistics of a wedding? Do they have professional sound or will they all be lugging their own equipment? And the biggest question of all....have they ever performed at a wedding before? Most venues also require all vendors including the band to have liability insurance. You should check in advance that your band has this as it could create a problem down the road.

Style Unveiled: What's the most creative musical request you've had the opportunity to fulfill?

Veronica Martell: We had a bride getting married at The Breakers in Palm Beach who wanted to have three girls sing "Going To The Chapel" a la The Supremes before she walked down the aisle. We costumed the girls in dresses that coordinated with the decor and as the quartet played the three ladies strolled down the aisle together singing - it was definitely a "wow" moment for the wedding guests.

Another "Wow" moment we had recently was adding 4 female electric violists to the band who performed a rock medley of Queen and Elton John songs. Style Unveiled: Any music predictions for the coming year?

Veronica Martell: Bands are making a strong comeback! With the poor economy in recent years, the DJs were really picking up the bulk of the social event market. It seems that most people feel we might be at a turning point with the economy and are more comfortable investing more money into the budget of their special events. I have also seen more and more add-ons at the last minute. Clients realize they have some money left in their budget and add on special pieces to really customize their wedding/event music - such as violinists, harpists, additional horns, etc.

Veronica Martell is a paid sponsor of Style Unveiled. We thank them very much!

Live Entertainment: Veronica Martell Entertainment