Today we’d like to introduce you to Dinorah.
Truth is I’m a very personal person, sometimes I don’t know the line between being too honest or maybe just.. not saying everything. Maybe I psychoanalyze myself too much, and I see my mom keeping her feelings in and my dad being so loud with his that I get confused as to which is which. I’m most definitely not perfect, I’m still learning this life thing. But as to being ‘Dinorah’ my whole life and having that being my artist name as well, I prefer to tell you my artist story from a third person point of view.
Dinorah, (previously known as her full name: Dinorah Zamora) is an internationally raised artist and eclectic singer-songwriter. She was born in La Paz, B.C.S Mexico and moved to Tijuana, B.C Mexico at three years old. At five years old, her family emigrated to San Diego for a better life. Growing up, she always loved writing and stood out in her class. Thinking she could write songs at five years old, she would dictate to her mom lyrics and melodies she would come up with. She was always involved in gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and several free dance lessons they could find around town.
During the 911 economic crash, her father lost his job as an airline pilot and found work in Saudi Arabia as a private pilot. He later found work in Shenzhen China, and the family ended up moving there when Dinorah was ten years old. She got her first real guitar at 11 years old, and after joining a class there, she realized she wasn’t able to communicate with the teacher well because of the language barrier, so she decided to teach herself.
In the small town of Shekou in Shenzhen, all of her friends were from all over the world, mostly because of their parent’s jobs. She surrounded herself with their different languages, religions, cultures, and most of all, music. There was a sense of rebellion in all these kids, a certain open-minded perspective that made them all understand each other just right. When their parents were away, (which was most of the time), they only had each other, like a big crazy family.
Something that really impacted Dinorah was thinking she had fallen in love at 12 years old. That illusion sparked something inside of her, and she began writing her true experiences and learning from her perspective on love. (Cheesy, but it’s true.) She also began getting bullied around that time for reasons she never truly understood.
Her first two written songs on the guitar were recorded and released with music videos that she directed at 12 and 13 years old. In Shekou, there wasn’t many kids that were doing what she was slowly creating. In open mics and jams, she wouldn’t notice until years later, that the music scene revolved around these talented bands in bars and restaurants, that later became her friends. She was the youngest female singer-songwriter doing her thing in that small town, yet a big city, and gaining authentic recognition.
Dinorah started becoming a local celebrity. At 14 years old, she performed at an underground hip-hop festival, her first large crowd. When Dinorah turned 16, she said goodbye to all of her friends, parents and younger sister to move with her grandmother Taty and brother in California. A huge culture shock and life sacrifice that she had to experience for her career and to continue school in SCPA, a performing arts high school.
Dinorah’s EP “Cosmic Vision” came out November 2017. A few of her songs that were written during those times. Her single’s “Count Your Shoes” music video was written & directed by her, and some scenes were also even shot by her in China. She began going to the open mics around San Diego and making new friends in the music scene there.
In March 2017, Dinorah had already become the #1 Singer-Songwriter on the Reverberation top charts in San Diego.
Dinorah’s fanbase began growing internationally, firstly based in China, an unexpected show in India with the band SANAM, and touring the fall of 2017 in the Philippines, USA, and now Mexico. In 11.11.18, she released her first Spanish single and music video, “Déjame Caer.” A song she wrote inspired on life, and re-sparking her love for writing in her first language.
The music video was filmed in San Felipe, Mexico with cinematographer and now friend, Dan Watt. With technology on full blow right now, she is a true DIY indie artist, creatively doing it all herself while self-teaching herself to sound-engineer/produce her new music for 2019.
Throughout the years she understood the idea of wanting to create her own genre/style and remains liberated to label her sound or put herself in a category. She is always listening to new music, old music, and learning from whatever makes her feel something special. As a full-rounded artist, she also takes visuals very seriously and all other creative branches on her brand.
Dinorah’s music is an extension of herself, a diverse range of style, language, emotion, sound and culture fused into one. Her lyrics are fearless and honest, they touch on her stories, perspective, nature, feelings, what she has learned so far and what she has yet to learn…
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nope. I guess growing up at a young age being asked the corny ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ and always replying ‘I’m a singer,’ made me see things way differently now. The youngest I remember being asked that questions was maybe in the second grade.
I guess my point is that realizing throughout the years the business side of music is what made it rockier, yet smoother at the same time. Knowledge is key. Having my father be a musician has always been beautiful, he gets some things I feel, but he never ended up pursuing it as a career. Being a pilot and the captain makes him always be away, and I had to figure out a lot of things out by myself. Especially the business side.
The only thing I know for sure is that once you have passion for something, nothing is going to stop you and if things get in the way… you definitely learn from them. I believe everything exists for a reason, but at the same time, we give it a reason.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
My business is Dinorah. I write, sing, direct, perform, produce, create, but most importantly, I have a message. I want people to understand each other, not as in completely comprehend but, learn to listen to each other’s stories. I create so that other’s create as well, I feel.
I get the most heartfelt messages about how I motivate and inspire people. I can’t believe people take their time to thank me for not doing anything. It shows that they are trying to understand, and that’s all them. What they see in me is what they see in themselves. I just want people to know I’m here for love.
To inspire and motivate others to stay on track with their true feelings and to trust in the vibe. To help each other when they can. I’m also a storyteller, it’s how I tell things I guess. What I am most proud of my company is that I am building it the best way possible; with honesty, a unique style, drive, passion, and a vision.
What sets me apart from others?
That’s a hard question because I see myself in others. But I guess the reaction from people towards me and what I do is what keeps surprising me daily. I notice that I move people just by moving myself. THEY are what sets me apart. It’s just always a reminder that I’m on the right track.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is a funny word to me. Friends, people, family members are always telling me ‘you are going to be so successful,’ ‘I wish you great success in the future’ etc., I appreciate them, and I give so much love. But for me, success is NOW.
Success is getting up in the morning, success is DOING SOMETHING. Success to me is creating when I don’t even feel like creating. It’s the journey that’s the most important part of a story, not the end. Not the destination. So for me, I’m enjoying every bit of this journey and tasting success in every single part of it.
Contact Info:
- Email: dinorahzmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dinorahzmusic
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/dinorahzmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dinorahzmusic
- Other: https://reverbnation.com/dinorahzmusic
Image Credit:
Tasha Deginina, Alejandra Zamora, Angel Gerardo, Colton, Mauricio A. Saldana
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
