Melina Coolen collabs with Linda Vilela on retro-pop tune “Nothing At All”
Melina Coolen is a Canadian songwriter, producer, and audio engineer and producer. Her retro-pop influence is undeniable in her carefully self-produced sound and sophisticated songwriting style. After years of formal classical training and receiving the RCM Silver Medal in piano, she pursued her love for pop and jazz songwriting in college and university.
Her song “Nothing At All” is a true blue retro-pop bubblegum tune. It features the voice of Linda Vilela, whom Melina thought was a perfect fit to complete the song when she discovered her on Airgigs.
Watch the lyric video for “Nothing At All” below and learn more about Melina via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m a Canadian retropop songwriter, producer and audio engineer. My work has been recognized by The Coast’s The Best of 2022 with a nomination for Best Songwriter, and voted into the East Coast Countdown Top 10 chart. My primary instrument is piano and I also work in audio post-production.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
I drew inspiration from the Wrecking Crew’s recording sessions for Be My Baby and other pop tunes around that time. But you’ll also still hear a soft little nod to 70’s-80’s pop ballads with my love for extended chords. I think the guitar lent an early Vicky Leandros energy to the song and it ended up having a Monkees meets Mocedades vibe. Overall, Nothing At All found its own voice and I’m really happy with the sunshiny pop song it grew up to be!
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
I draw a lot of inspiration from the Brill Building greats such as Burt Bacharach and Carole King. I also enjoy finding creative ways to pay homage to the producers behind the classic sound of past recordings such as those produced by Larry Levine and Frank Laico.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
I’m mostly digging the producing and engineering side of music lately, but I’m considering getting some musicians together to perform my songs in the near future.
What’s your goal for 2023?
I’ve got some more songs in the works and have been contemplating releasing a series of singles following Nothing At All. I’m also currently doing audio post-edit, mix, and sound design for a cool upcoming film.