From Finding Inspiration to Overcoming Doubts and Challenges: Kristina Murrell Talks Passion & Pain, and Growth in Music Career

Welcome to this episode of Star Spot! I’m Merry, and in this series, I interview InterContinental Music Awards winners and insiders, bringing you exclusive insights into the music industry. Today, I’m thrilled to have with me Kristina Murrell, our brilliant winner of 2022.

Kristina Murrell is the winner of the InterContinental Music Awards, and a rising star in the music industry. Krsitina Murrell’s journey to the top of the charts began with the discovery by American record producer and songwriter, Sonny King, who recognized her immense talent. Since then, Kristina has been on a mission to pursue her dreams relentlessly.

In this interview, she shares her inspirations and challenges as a musician, providing insight into her creative process and what it takes to succeed in music competitions and contests. With her recording deal with Music For Love, Krsitina Murrell has already released her first studio album, “Passion & Pain,” which is a raw, emotional journey through themes of loyalty, passion, and deception.

Her vocal ability is unmatched, and she continues to push the boundaries of her sound with each new track. Keep reading to learn more about Kristina Murrell and her journey to the top of the music industry.

Let’s dive right into the interview summary and tap into Kristina Murrell’s journey. The full interview is available on Instagram – click here to check it out.

 

Can you give us a brief biography of yourself for those who are just joining us? 

Sure, my name is Kristina Murrell, I’m 22 years old, and I was born and raised in Barbados. I’ve been in the States for about six years now, and I’ve been doing music for almost two years. I’ve always loved being creative and taking classes in musical theater, choir, painting, and photography, but it was when I met American record producer and songwriter Sonny King that I realized my potential as a singer-songwriter. He encouraged me and worked with me to develop my talent, and now music is the most important thing to me. It’s the way I express myself and discover who I am.

 

When did you realize that music was what you wanted to do?

I think I needed to be convinced because, although I had talent, I didn’t fully believe in myself. In high school, I took a lot of classes in the Arts, but it wasn’t until I met Sonny that I tried writing and recording music. He heard potential in me that I didn’t hear myself, and he gave me the push I needed to pursue it. Now, music is my passion, and I feel like I discovered myself through it.

Are you working on anything right now? New album? New singles?

Yes, I have two albums out right now, but we’re currently focusing on singles. We’re able to see what people like more from those albums, so we’re doing a mixture of R&B, Afro, and pop. We’re really picking up on what the audience wants. Right now, we’re just focusing on giving the audience what they’re looking for through singles and learning more about my voice.

 

What inspires you to create music? What’s the source of your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the way I can express and grow through music. Writing music is a way for me to connect with people, especially those going through a tough time. It’s a special way of communication, and I enjoy seeing the impact my music has on others. Also, as someone who has only been doing music for two years, seeing the growth and improvement inspires me.

 

Do you prefer being independent or signed to a label?

I love being independent because it gives me so much freedom. My manager and I can go in the studio and work on music without any strict rules or limitations. It allows for more creativity and staying true to myself.

 

How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?

It’s crazy, but I love it. In the two years that I’ve been doing music, there’s so much that I’m learning about the industry that I didn’t know before. I used to think that it was just singing in a studio, but there’s actually a business side to it as well, which was a surprise to me. It’s challenging, but I’m still learning and growing, and overall it’s been great.

 

How have you personally experienced the ups and downs of your music career? 

One of the biggest challenges I faced was being my own biggest critique. I used to strive for perfection in every song I made, but I soon realized that it was more important for me to have my own sound rather than trying to emulate others. It was a confidence issue that I had to work on, but now that I have, going to the studio is a smoother experience.

Sometimes, I would get in my own head, and my manager would encourage me to do a certain note, but I would stop myself out of fear of being laughed at. However, my manager pushed me to do it repeatedly until I got it right, and we were able to create great music. Overall, there are always ups and downs in any career, and the key is to learn from those experiences and grow from them.

 

How did you hear about InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA)?

My manager reached out to me and showed me the ICMA website. I was excited when I went through the page and saw the content they posted. Then my manager sent me a screenshot saying that I was one of the winners, and I was so happy. My family and I were very happy about it.

 

What was your takeaway and experience with ICMA?

My experience with ICMA was amazing. They were very friendly, welcoming, and professional. Winning the award gave me a confidence boost and motivation to get into the studio and record something. It was so unexpected, and I was grateful for the recognition. I thank ICMA for their support and encouragement. They are doing a great job in achieving their goals.

 

What is the best advice you have ever received on your music career?

The best advice I’ve ever received on my music career is to keep going. Starting out, there are always doubts and questions like “Is anybody listening?” or “Am I doing it right?” But you have to start somewhere and it’s a process. I’ve learned that you’re not going to wake up one day and have the whole world listening to you. It takes dedication and time.

Looking back at my progress, I can see that there’s been a big difference in just a year. However, now that my music career has taken off, I have to keep up with making music and responding to requests for shows. Despite the workload, I like it because music is what I want to do full time. So, if you’re thinking about pursuing a music career but are scared, my advice is to just give it a try and keep going with it. Dedicate yourself to it, and you’ll see the results.

 

How do you begin working on a new piece of music?

There are many different ways to approach it, but the one that works best for me is to start with the beat. My manager, Sony King, makes all my beats from scratch and has created a sound for me that fits my style and voice. We sit down together and listen to the beat playing over and over until a melody or a word stands out.

I really like build-ups, where the song starts off smooth, then has some action in the middle before settling down again, and then everything is added in. I usually start with humming and then move on to writing. We do a rough draft and then listen to the song over and over, replacing words or adding things until it’s just right.

I go to the studio 100 times until it’s perfect. Rushing the music is not the way to go because you can hear it in the final product. Making music is like taking care of a baby; you need to be patient and enjoy the art of making it.

 

Do you have a favorite album or single among the music you’ve created? 

Choosing a favorite among my albums and singles is like choosing a favorite child, but if I had to pick, I would say my favorite album is “Beautiful Disaster.” It was a challenge, but it showed my growth as an artist. As for my favorite single, I would say it’s “Stronger.” The lyrics tell a story of ups and downs, and the song is very emotional and relatable. It’s also a favorite among my fans, and many people have told me how soothing it is to listen to.

 

Any last words you would like to say?

First of all, I want to say thank you for having me. This interview was fun! I also want to give some advice to anyone looking to pursue music. I often get texts from people who are doubting themselves and asking how to get started. My advice is to just start. Don’t be afraid because of someone else’s progress or success. If you want to pursue music, start today or tomorrow. Take that first step and keep going. You never know where it may take you.

 

Kristina Murrell on Star Spot’s Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisscrispy/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQlnk5lWoe4fK6V-0hap-w

 

Click here to watch Kristina Murrell ‘s Star Spot full interview on Instagram 

InterContinental Music Awards Team

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