INTERVIEW:
KERRIA
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I have time for one more interview today…
and have been speaking with KERRIA about her track, Night Now, and how it came together. The Gibraltar-based artist tells me about the music scene in the country and which artists she was raised on – I ask if there are any tour dates coming up and whether there is a chance she will come to the U.K. and play.
KERRIA talks about her favourite albums and what she has planned for the future; whether there is a rising artist we should keep our eyes out for; how she spends her time away from music – KERRIA provides some advice for rising artists.
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Hi, KERRIA. How are you? How has your week been?
Hi. I’ve been doing very well. Had quite a week, actually. I had two major performances in Ukraine - including the one at Mrs. Ukraine event.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I was born in Israel and moved to Gibraltar at the age of fifteen. I finished school there while having music education/vocal lessons on the side. Finished high-school; then I got accepted to London Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. There, I finished a three-year Creative Musicianship degree. In the meantime, I worked on my own material collaborating with amazing producers/songwriters such as Walter Afanasieff, Aleena Gibson; Fabrizio Sotti etc.
Night Now is your latest track. Can you talk about its story and background?
Night Now is about a young love at first sight. It often happens when you find love on a night out. The title, Night Now, is a play on words. Instead of ‘Right Now’ we changed it to ‘Night Now’ to emphasise the feeling of wanting to spend time together tonight and right now.
Night Now is a song written by Aleena Gibson. Aleena and I knew each other from working previously. One day, we were hiking and she showed me her new music she’s been working on. As soon as she showed me a demo of Night Now, I immediately asked her if she has a vocalist for this track. Luckily, she didn’t and I quickly jumped for the opportunity. Initially, Night Now sounded different to how it sounds now. We played around with electronic sounds to make it a Dance track.
We also played around with lyrics to make it sound simpler and more playful. The talented Fabrizio Sotti joined the team and helped us produce the track properly to make it sound the way it sounds today.
Do you have plans for follow-up material? Might we see more music next year?
I am releasing my third single, Warrior Cry, hopefully at the end of October or beginning of November. I am also planning to release an E.P. in 2019.
You are based in Gibraltar. Is there a big music scene there? What brought you there?
My parents went to Gibraltar for a holiday and fell in love with it. Gibraltar is a very cosy place – a population of 30,000 people. Everyone pretty much knows each other there. Thanks to my school there, it had a strong focus on music which really surrounded me by talented musicians. We were always involved and performed in charity events.
So, I can say that ‘yes’, music is quite a big scene in Gibraltar. It is very often you see a stage in the main square with live music playing. Gibraltar also holds maybe festivals such as the summer MTV festival. In other words; there is always something to look forward to in Gibraltar.
In terms of musicians; what sort of stuff are you into? Who were you raised on?
It is defiantly a long list. I love so many artists: Sia, Imagine Dragons; Meghan Trainor, The Weeknd; Coldplay, Dua Lipa; ALMA, Jacob Banks; WOODKID, Tom Walker; Rag'n’Bone Man, Khalid; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera; P!nk and One Republic.
I am also old-school. I love Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner; Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Khan; Whitney Houston, Ray Charles; George Michael and Steve Wonder - and I can keep going…
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
Release at least two more singles; get them played on the radio and social media and do as many gigs as possible.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
My favourite and most beneficial music memory, I would say, is having my dad make me sing at public places where its least expected - places such as, McDonald’s, an airport; on the plane, a train ride; restaurants, parks etc. Thanks to my dad and this ‘technique’, I no longer have stage fright and it is always nice to see how people react to your singing.
Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?
Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera
It was quite a powerful album for me. It is very female-empowering and also very family-oriented.
I also love Alicia Keys’ album, Here
It is pretty much for the same reasons as Christina’s album: it has such a strong message for women - especially young women about life and the music industry. It really gives you an idea of what it’s like; yet how to keep being yourself and be confident to the max.
I also have to mention Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic
This album brought back my love for Funk. All those times I was wishing for some new Chaka Khan or Tina Turner music, Bruno Mars came right on time with his new album. It was perfection!
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
I would be more than happy to support any current artist! However; Sia and Imagine Dragons are definitely among the top-there.
Can we see you tour soon? Where are you playing?
I will be performing in Moscow Crocus City Hall on 30th September.
Will you come to the U.K. and play here?
I will for sure - I just can’t tell the exact dates just yet.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Make the music the hits your soul that others will also relate to. Don’t try to be anyone else but you. Create music that means something to you. I believe that it is a gift that we are all different individuals yet we all find similarities to relate to. I think we should express what we have in order to present the world with new excitements.
IN THIS PHOTO: ALMA
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
As soon as I discovered ALMA I fell in love with her music. I also got the chance to watch her live. She is very entertaining.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Music is my life. Even if I need some time to chill I end up listening to music. I love to listen to new releases during my free time. I would say spending time with my family is how I unwind.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Natural by Imagine Dragons
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