Kirstenana is a singer, songwriter and musician who has just collaborated with The Shapeshifters on their latest club smash ‘Only You’. Originally hailing from sunny Norfolk, it looks as if her sizeable talents are about to propel her into the limelight on the world stage. We caught up with her for a quick chat while she still had time to spare…
How did you decide on a career in music?
It was never really a decision, I've just always sung from a very young age. I don't think I could do anything else...I’ve never had a plan b!
Tell us about some of your influences… are there any particular artists you have a close affinity with?
I absolutely love Sia, she's a fantastic lyricist and such a prolific songwriter, very inspiring. Erykah Badu I could listen to non-stop, and I love Beth Ditto, Rihanna, Moloko’s Roisin Murphy. I also really enjoying Alex Clare right now, his album is great!!
Where do you get your inspiration from in terms of songwriting?
I started writing songs at school by locking myself in the piano room. It was a real escapism for me. It's all very personal, mainly from my experiences in my life. I write in a really honest way and if I don't have a strong connection with the lyrics I get very frustrated and feel like I am not being truthful. It can be quite a draining way to work sometimes and also means that you only write when you really feel in the zone.
Tell us how you hooked up with The Shapeshifters on the record…what were they like to work with?
Oh they're great guys!! We met through my publisher at the time a little while ago but hooked up and started writing again recently. They work in a very different way to what I am use to ,which is a great experience. I love writing dance music, the process is a lot quicker.
Do you have a preferred genre when it comes to performing?
Not really ...I just love performing! I was a backing singing for a Norwegian band and toured around Norway for a bit. It's fun when you are on stage singing really upbeat electro music to an audience that are just dancing away to the tracks but it's also a great feeling playing acoustically when you are totally engaged with the audience. When the entire room is completely silent listening to you, there's nothing like that.
You’ve previously had your music featured on a film right… how did that come about?
The film’s called 'Come On Elieen' and the director Finola Geraghty was aware of my stuff and asked me if she could use a track in the film. I sent her a few songs that I was working on at the time and she ended up using four including the title track to my EP that’s out very soon. It's a great British film starring Noel Fielding, Jackie Howe Freddie Jones and Julia Davis. I also have a very small scene in it with the lovely Noel Fielding!! Ha! Very small though!
There’s obviously so much competition for what you do… how do you go about making yourself stand out from the crowd?
Well I really believe that there is room for everyone in this industry. Yes it's highly competitive and sometimes not the easiest business to be in but you have to be comfortable and enjoy the journey you're on.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I have my EP out in July! I am very excited about that! We have just finished it – myself and Robin Barter, my producer – and it's sounding wicked!! I will be promoting that with a small tour, doing a video next week and have some London gigs coming up. I was born in Norfolk so I am going back to do a gig and a live session with BBC Introducing who have been very supportive. Hopefully I’ll also be collaborating with more dance acts and other artists including another track with The Shapeshifters that I am super excited about!!
For more info about all things Kirstenana, head to www.kirstenana.com
