Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina F.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in the Bronx, NY into a family that wasn’t involved in music but loved it. My parents always had the radio on or played albums house, in the car, outside, etc. I was definitely a singing baby. My parents said they used to wake up to hearing me sing in the morning. I was always singing and dancing, and I was very loud. I was also a camera hog, making up my own skits and singing whatever came to mind (just watch my family home videos). From the ages of 6 to 12 I was the most shy person in the world. Everything scared me. I was only myself around my immediate family or in my home. I would lock the door and sing in my room, blasting the music so no one could hear me. I remember wanting to audition for a lead singing part in Chorus (we were doing ‘Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat’) but I practically scared myself to death, and never went. When I was in high school, I signed myself up for acting class. I wanted to be a singer and perform, and I knew the only way to get over whatever fear I was holding onto, was to rip the band aid off and force myself out of my comfort zone. It definitely helped me a lot, and I took another acting class when I got to college. My roommates always heard me singing in my room or in the shower, so they told me I had to audition for my school’s version of American Idol. I had seen the article in the school paper the year before of the girl who won, and I wanted to do it and knew I could. I was hoping my roommates would forget when the time came, but they did not. I went to the audition and sat in the back watching some of the singers. I opened my phone and typed this quote: “The only thing worse than trying and failing is not trying at all.” I put my name on the list, and when they called me up I sang for the first time on a mic, on a stage, in front of people. Long story short, I got into the finals, and then I ended up winning. I thought I was a good singer, but I never performed in front of people, so I didn’t know if others felt the same. A part of me wanted to win and believed I could, but most of myself was extremely shocked. It was an amazing feeling. I hadn’t even told my family or friends about the competition, just lightly mentioned it to my mom, and when I called and told her I won she was like “What??!” It was this moment where I finally felt I had taken the biggest step into getting over my fear and doing what I loved. After that I joined an acappella group, and the fact that I was singing with people who loved to sing was amazing. I met so many amazing people, and I finally felt I found where I belonged. I also started to perform as myself, usually with my friend accompanying me on piano, and I was so happy. I still took some acting classes, and after that took some group vocal classes. I was poking out of my shell but still needed guidance to really break out.
I was an athlete most of my life, so I knew 500 basketball players but 0 musicians. I taught myself how to play guitar because I wanted to start performing and singing without worrying about finding a musician. I had also purchased a keyboard, where I started writing music on. I taught myself how to play piano too, and write most of my music on piano. I was working with some people who wanted to work with me and shape me for industry professionals, but I was able to learn that they did not have any label connections, and they just hoped I would make it so I could put them on the map. I was devastated that someone would lie to me this much, but I was also angry at myself for not seeing this sooner. It was this moment where I started to really write music, and within 2 months I had over 30 songs, which was a lot for someone who never really wrote a song, or even knew how.
Since then, I have released 3 EP’s, a single and a Christmas song. I am currently in the process of recording my 4th EP, which is part of a 2-part release titled ‘Pop Songs About Real Things & Feelings.’ Part 1 is out, and I am excited to be working on part 2! Though on paper it doesn’t seem like I’ve come very far, I look back at everything that has happened, and the fact that I am able to get on stage and sing without any hesitation is something to be proud of. I know that if I did not push myself to be uncomfortable, I may not be here. If I did not push myself, I would have never auditioned for that idol competition. If I did not win, I may not have fully convinced myself I could do this. I look forward to the next few months of releases!
Please tell us about your art.
I am a singer and songwriter, writing Pop music. My inspirations stem from artists like The Beatles, to Justin Timberlake, to Billy Joel. I find that the best inspiration comes at the worst time. Sometimes it comes from a bad break up, sometimes it literally comes at the worst time…when you’re about to go to work! I write music because I love doing it. When I am really feeling a song, I won’t stop until it’s done. I feel productive when I write a song, and I feel like it is my job on this earth.
I have very strong feelings about music today, artists, and the goal of the industry right now. I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Pat Benatar, Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, all the songs of Motown, Doo-Wop etc. I still listen to these artists, so you could say that I am an old soul. These songs had musical arrangements that almost seem impossible today. They stretched the rubber band to the max. Some of the greatest singers like Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, Pat Benatar, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston sang from the heart, but they kept it so simple. They were natural. Everything was natural. Now there’s overused auto-tune, incompetent lyrics, and monotonous arrangements. There’s no value in music right now (thanks to the big industry boys), and therefore there is no respect. Music is cool and all, but it’s also important and precious. So much of today’s music lacks emotion and truth. I truly believe if Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel were trying to make it today, they would not. We’ve completely lowered the bar as listeners and as writers. I believe the only way to grow as a person is to challenge yourself. Always raise the bar, always do more. When people listen to my music, I want them to listen. Listen to the lyrics because they are there. Feel the music in your heart, not your feet. I want to change the way people listen to music. And not in a “compressed mp3 zip file” kind of way. I want to bring that respect back into the music. The reason music was here in the first place. If I get a chance to reach thousands of people, that’s the takeaway. And don’t get me wrong…music always changes, but the quality always should remain the same.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Some might say life has become easier for artists because of the internet. In the case of music, anyone can make a song and post it online for people to hear. People are producing their own music and beats, making their own music videos, and doing well because of it.
However, I think life has become harder for artists. Anyone can find your music and listen, maybe become a fan, but now everything is so saturated. Millions of people producing, millions of people recording, millions of people posting music. Being found by random is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s also hard to get paid your worth. Why should people buy your music when it’s available on Spotify for free? And why is it available on Spotify? Because as an independent artist, you want to try to reach as many people as possible. At this point, I almost feel like if your music isn’t free then it’s not worth listening to. That’s what the people in charge have created. They’ve given listeners this attitude and way of thinking, and it sucks for all creative artists.
I believe cities across America should support local artists and live music. Every city I have been to outside of New York has live music, mainly during happy hour. Orlando, Philadelphia, Morristown, NJ, Cape May, NJ, Chicago, and the list goes on. New York seems to miss this boat. Some places have live music, but in all my life growing up, I have never walked into a restaurant and heard live music. I have played around in Westchester County, NY (right outside of New York City), but the options are slim. One of the biggest battles was being severely underpaid. Some places want live music, and when someone comes around asking if they could play and that they would play for free, that kind of ruins it for everyone else. I think if you want live music at your restaurant or hotel, listen to the artist. I truly believe people appreciate live music, especially when the artist is talented. It creates a happy atmosphere, and it will get people talking, and hopefully coming back. A lot of places in NYC just want to fill up on a Tuesday night, and they hire an agent to do that. The agents don’t care what you play or what you sound like. I have opened up for a folk band, and then was followed by a punk band. That’s confusing for me and for everyone around. These places also exploit musicians for their business, which is a whole other conversation that I am very passionate about but will save for another time. I think if places want live music, pay for it and make sure you know what you are paying for. Do some research on the artist. Ask questions. I also think places should have live music, at least for happy hour. Everyone is happy, everyone is drinking, and it makes those 2-4 hours super fun!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have my own website www.cristinafmusic.com. There you can find all my social media sites, blog, music, videos and more!
All of my music is on Spotify, but if you would like to support my work, you may purchase on iTunes or CD Baby. You can purchase physical CD’s on CD Baby, or grab your audio files there. CD’s still have a better sound than the mp3, so get them while they still exist!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cristinafmusic.com
- Email: bookings@cristinafmusic.com
- Instagram: @cristinafmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cristinafmusic
- Twitter: @Cristina_noH24
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/cristinafmusic
Image Credit:
Devan Chirurgi, David Chuchuca
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
