Spotlight On:
Andreya Triana
For the third edition of our Spotlight On series, we caught up with Andreya Triana to discuss her writing process, how she’s finds working with other writers, new projects and the effects of covid on live performances.
Having been a part of the Ninja Tune / Just Isn’t Music family since 2010 with the release of her debut album, Lost Where I Belong, Andreya has since gone on to co-write with many great artists including Ninja/JIM alumni Bonobo, Flying Lotus and Ben Westbeech and been asked to join the judging panel for the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards. She has played live on the BBC at Hyde Park in front of 50,000 people, produced a stand out performance on Later with Jools Holland and release two further albums with her encapsulating vocals.
Building on her initial success and with a top ten selling single & a MOBO award nomination under her belt, Andreya has recently embarked extending her talents to music production, and we are super excited with what we hear. Andreya’s music has featured in shows such as The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy, Being Mary Jane, Self Made and When They See Us.
'Life in Colour' is such an inspirational album and 'Woman' in particular has resonated with a lot of women with placements for Schwarzkopf and the Grates Foundation's Gender Equality Campaign. Was there anything in particular that influenced you to write this track?
‘Woman’ is 100% autobiographical and talks about my teen years and stepping into womanhood. I must have re-written that song about 20 times as I just couldn’t get it right. When the feeling of it finally landed everything fell into place. I dancedaround the studio and had a massive cry once it was done!
You've done collaborations with great artists/writers, such as Bonobo, Ben Westbeech with The Vision project and Flying Lotus. Are there any plans to work with more electronic/dance producers in the future?
Looking back over the past 10 years collaboration has been a really enjoyable part of my career. Working with another artist always pushes you out of your comfort zone and brings new things out of you. I think I’ll always be open to collaborating but right now I’m working hard on becoming the music producer!
How did The Vision project come about?
Ben Westbeech had remixed ‘Everything You Never Had’ from my second album which ended up in the Top Ten charts. When he decided to have a change of direction creatively he dropped me a line about his new project and the rest is history!
Artist career aside, in the past, you've worked with a few Just Isn't Music composers in our writing camp - how was this experience for you and if you could pick one artist or writer to work with, who'd it be?
The writing camp was an intense and incredible experience. It was so freeing to have a defined brief and time frame to work within - it took out the element of going down the artist black hole and having to search your heart and soul for every single note and word! It was great working with Dan Arnold and Alex Banks - we’ve since started a little writing team.
You’ve been particularly innovative when putting together live shows for our sync clients. From two shows back to back on the London Eye, to a full day long agency tour. For those who missed them, any fun stories from the gigs? How do you enjoy these sort of performances?
All the sync showcases have been really varied and interesting. It’s been exciting to perform as there is always a level of excitement and the shows are usually small and intimate. They were really good fun! The London Eye show was a particular highlight… except for when I got stuck on it after everyone had left!
In 2017 you joined the judging panel for the Ivor Novello Awards which must have been a huge honour - how was the experience for you and how did you find the process of judging other writers composition?
Being on the judging panel for the Ivor Novello Awards ‘Album of The Year’ was an incredible honour. The judging process with very intensive - we’d meet up and really breakdown each album - as we all love songwriting so much everyone had strong opinions to bring to the table. It was a huge exercise in taking personal taste out of the equation and looking at a song for what it is. I really did learn a lot from that experience. The massive bonus that year was Bill Withers (my favourite songwriter of all time) got the Lifetime Achievement Award. After the ceremony, I got to shake his hand and thank him for creating songs that had changed my life.
Covid and the subsequent lockdowns have had a devastating effect in most areas and industries but one close to all of our hearts is the loss of live music - how has this affected you, and if we allow ourselves some optimism, where would be your dream place to perform once it’s safe to do so again?
There’s no doubt about it, it’s been a crazy time but I do feel optimistic - artists ALWAYS find a way to innovate and adapt so I feel good about the future whatever that may look like. I’ve got my sights set on Japan for 2021 and onwards - that would be my dream place to play!
Live streaming has boomed in popularity since the pandemic and you've performed on Ninja Tune/Just Isn't Music's 'The Great Isolate' - how was that for you and how does an online alternative differ from actual gigs as a performer and for the audience?
A live show is such a unique experience - there’s really nothing like feeling the combined energy of everyone in the room, it’s really electric. I rate doing live streams as it’s a way of innovating while we’re not able to be in venues but that could never replace the live experience for me. The thing I did enjoy about the live stream was being able to rock up to my studio and have a ten minute walk home at the end - no early mornings, no flights and no motorways! Winning!
Has there ever been a moment in a TV show/film where you've felt the music placement has heightened the impactfulness of the scene? Did this inspire you to want your own music to be synced?
There have been many but the most beautiful one for me was when Des’ree sang ‘Kissing You’ in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet. I would have been really young at the time watching it but it really hit me straight in the heart. It was one of the first moments of realising the impact of a powerful song at the perfect moment.
What is your favourite sync so far?
It has to be ‘Woman’ used in the #1 US Netflix series ‘Self Made’ - that literally made my LIFE!
What are you listening to right now?
I am Kaytranada obsessed.
Favourite TV show/film of all time?
‘Coming To America’ - classic!