Originally from Great Neck, New York, Victoria Wasserman released her three-song EP Victoria Naomi STFU in October, 2015. "All the songs were recorded in L.A. at the Rehab Studios with producer Chris Flores, who has worked with artists like Slash, Fergie, and many other A-listers. My husband Jacinto Castaneda, who arranged the music and recorded the guitar and bass on the EP, and I go back a long way with Chris. Twenty years ago, we all met in Mexico. This made the process of creating and recording a lot of fun."
Regarding the EP's title track STFU, "Despite the title," she says, "it's actually a comical semi-feminist love song with a neo-soul and pop rock sound."
Wasserman frequently performs the music of Amy Winehouse around town, as well as her own originals, backed by area players like Harry Magalong (bass), John Reese (drums), Jacinto Castaneda (guitar), and Joseph Luna (sax). Not all gigs go swimmingly.
"Last summer [2014], we had a gig in Escondido on one of the hottest days. The owner made us play outside on the enclosed patio with virtually no ventilation while the customers sat inside with air conditioning, so basically we played to no one and we both got heatstroke! We got paid well, but it was the last time we played there."