Keiyana Marie Trinidad Visits Section 36 Music!

It's wonderful to be able to share that Section 36 Music had another visitor! It's been busy here at Section 36 Music, as we have another visitor! If you don't know Keiyana Marie Trinidad yet, you soon will. This incredible artist is fresh off the release of her debut album, "A Girls Dream", and you'll want to stream it as soon as you can. I was so excited Keiyana was willing to visit with us to discuss the album, her musical goals, and more!

So, let's see what happens when Keiyana Marie Trinidad visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely loved your debut album, “A Girl’s Dream”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much! It started in 2021 when I had to create originals for my debut performance for the Bridgewater Music Alley. At this time, I already had "Fly" written and "Good to Know" almost fully produced, but I needed a few more. I sat down with myself one day and wrote "Mom & Dad", "Places With You", "Bridges" and "Fast Asleep". I had the melodies made up in my head pretty quickly! I recorded them on voice memos, sent it to my guitarist, and then he worked his magic. 

I performed all of those songs live for a while so there were a few changes along the way! "Little 8 Year Old Me" and "Look At Me" came about a year or so later, once I started learning the guitar! "Little 8 Year Old Me" is cool because I played guitar myself the entire time on the track, it's pretty much a live performance! 

In 2022, I went to the studio to make the acoustic version of "Good to Know", and then after the release of my song "Bridges" in 2023, I made an acoustic version of it in early 2024. My guitarist suggested putting both acoustic versions onto the EP to make it a full album. It made perfect sense, since all the songs I had recorded for the EP are all acoustic anyway! The title "A Girl's Dream" is special because when I was 9 years old, I went to a studio to record cover songs, and that is exactly what I titled it in 2006, it was only right!

Is there a song on the album that especially resonates with you?

"Fast Asleep" is vocally, melodically and instrumentally my favorite song on the album, from the lyrics to the violin, I just love it. It feels timeless to me. Though my song "Look At Me" was written about my grandpa who passed away when I was 10 years old. It's a song that will forever hold a special place in my heart! They both resonate with me so much! I feel like these songs mean so much to me, and it has so much potential to mean something to my listeners.

Is there more studio work in your future?

Yes of course! I'm working hard to pay off my loans right now so that I can have more freedom in releasing music more often. I have plans to go back in early 2025! I'm hoping to release a couple of singles between March - July and then an EP in September!

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences growing up was always Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. Now as I'm getting older, I appreciate artists like Adele. I like the way she carries herself and keeps herself low key. I love her stage presence, and her performances are simple and authentic, which is exactly how I want to be as an artist and how I want to carry myself in the industry.

You had the opportunity to perform at the International Portuguese Music Awards. What was that experience like?

It was an incredible experience! I performed for 4,000 people! I couldn't believe it! It felt so surreal to sing on the PPAC stage. It's exactly what I've been wanting since I was little, so I was extremely honored and proud. I shared the stage with incredible musicians who are well known in the Portuguese music community! I even had to walk a red carpet...which was super weird and awkward for me, but it was so cool to get that experience! I always think about that night and the people I met, it's a night I'll never forget!

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goals are to book shows with my band, and to finalize my next couple of singles for the studio in 2025!

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Sounds like she has an exciting year planned!

As always, I want to thank Keiyana for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify right away. I would also visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Keiyana, and good luck reaching your goals!