The song was written by Kristen Castro for her Simi Valley High School graduation 2012 and wasaccompanied by her friend, Isha Patel, on the mandolin.

VEVO Web Series Features Upcoming Singer/Songwriter Kristen Castro

Los Angeles, CA – December 13, 2012 – Three-time GRAMMY Foundation’s^®  GRAMMY Camp Alumna, Kristen Castro, is featured on VEVO’s new web series “You Play Like a Girl.”  The series, co-produced by VEVO and Mike Welch, combines the aspiration and inspiration of real-life young girls who are pursuing music as a career. Premiering today across VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, Kristen’s episode can be watched here: http://vevo.ly/YXf2ZF.

Hosted by Samantha Maloney, former drummer for Motley Crue and Billy Ray Cyrus, the series finds girls like Castro across the country who have the talent to make it big.  Many of these girls play rock or heavy metal, breaking the stereotype that only boys can dominate these genres.

“Kristen Castro was selected to be part of You Play Like A Girl not only for her incredible skills as a musician, but for her enthusiasm for music and playing it,” Maloney says. “It is one thing to know how to play guitar, yet it is another to LOVE to play the instrument. Kristen’s passion, dedication and drive shine through in her singing and playing, and that is what sets her apart from many her age.”

VEVO filmed Castro at her home in Simi Valley, California, within a few days of her high school graduation.  On the show, Castro shares with Maloney that she started playing the guitar at age ten and describes how her musical taste and style has varied widely from heavy metal to Latin to country.

Castro is the only featured artist who shreds on the mandolin. Although not many young artists embrace the mandolin, Castro’s love of music draws her to explore all sounds, especially country.

On her episode of “You Play Like a Girl,” Castro performs an original song and mandolin melody. She plays the mandolin with the technique of a true heavy-metalist. She infuses the instrument’s unique sound into her own unique style – a combination of indie, country, and pop.

During the episode, Maloney and Castro jam together, combining their own polar-opposite styles into a country-meets-metal sound.

“Playing with Samantha was one of the most humbling experiences,” Castro says. “She was incredibly insightful on the industry and showed her support for someone just starting their career. She easily jumped into the country riff I started playing and it was cool that we both share roots in metal but also enjoy country music.”

At the end of the show, Castro is shocked when Maloney presents her with a gift that shows how much the VEVO team truly understands her and believes in her career.

Castro is currently a member of GRAMMY U and a freshman at California State University Northridge. She is writing new music to follow up her first CD, “The Heart Palette,” co-produced by Matt Bissonette who is touring with Elton John, and Sergio Gonzalez, her mentor and former drummer for Jennifer Lopez. VEVO’s “You Play Like a Girl” will be Kristen’s third major video production after her promotional video with will.i.am and appearance on the mini web series, “The Tavern.” Castro’s other major music accomplishments include performing with Keith Urban in 2010 at GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY Camp Los Angeles, playing in Times Square during GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY Camp New York 2011, and singing/songwriting with Maybe April, a trio formed at GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY Camp Nashville in 2012.

For information, visit www.kristencastro.com

About Kristen Castro

Kristen Castro is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Simi Valley, California.  She plays a variety of genres including indie, country, and pop.  At age 10, Castro started playing music and has always developed new ways to bring different styles together.  To support her growing career, Kristen’s family starting a company called Azuremae in 2012.  She has partnered with Taylor Guitars and Timber Tones Plectrums.  In addition, Castro is supported by The GRAMMY Foundation and the Les Paul Foundation. For information on Kristen Castro, please email President of Azuremae, Raquel Castro, at kristencastromusic@gmail.com.

About VEVO

VEVO is the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform. VEVO is available in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and United Kingdom through VEVO.com, the mobile web, Mobile and Tablet Apps (iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry Playbook), Connected Television (Xbox, Boxee) and user embeddable video players. In various territories, VEVO powers music videos on artist pages across Facebook, as well as syndicates to dozens of online sites, including AOL, BET, CBS Interactive Music Group (including Last.fm and MP3.com), Fuse.tv, Univision, Viacom Media Networks, Wenner Media and Yahoo! Music.  Additionally, through a special partnership with YouTube, VEVO is accessible in over 200 markets, expanding the platform’s reach around the globe.
About The GRAMMY Foundation^®  

The GRAMMY Foundation^®  was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy^®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like “GRAMMY in the Schools^®” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools and follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter @GRAMMYFdn at www.twitter.com/GRAMMYFdn.

“I don’t really remember the initial inspiration for this song, but I wanted to create a melody on the mandolin that was similar to Keith Urban. Country music is a big influence on me, and it’s not every day you write a song in Nashville, Tennessee. “-Kristen Castro

“I never really touch the piano when songwriting it’s usually just my guitar, but for some reason it just happened with this song. The lyrics came out of nowhere and I liked the sound of what my hands were playing. I just started mumbling words and poetry came out. This was the first and only piano song I have written as a singer/songwriter. I hope to do more one day!” -Kristen Castro

“I had attended GRAMMY Camp for three years and it was really neat to go out with a bang. I never expected to love songwriting the way I do but it just happened. The talent on this stage was phenomenal that night and it was really interesting to see the electronic and acoustic versions of this song in one single performance.” -Kristen Castro

My third and last year at GRAMMY Camp. I loved every second of it and the music education gained from there in a matter of seven days was priceless. I opened up, so to speak. I finally got the confidence to be a singer/ songwriter, voice myself and the campers and counselors embraced everyone and everything. Each year I grew and this was my favorite camp by far, plus it was in Nashville (country city!!!!!!!!)