Twenty-four-year-old singer/songwriter Savannah Cristina may be new to you, but her music feels like she’s been great for a long time. Signed to Warner, we can only imagine how far she will go.
Let’s talk about your musical journey. You dropped your first single in 2016. What lessons have you learned about the music industry since then?
The lessons that I’ve learned about the music industry since then is just like any other industry, this is a business and that you should definitely be business-savvy when you decide to be a part of it. Another thing I’ve learned from being a part of the music industry is that hard work always pays off. If you continue to put in the effort, you will always get a result. Those are the two things that I’ve learned.
A lot of artists get swept up into nonsense or they lack the discipline to make the journey from being independent to becoming signed to a major label. How do you keep yourself focused?
I have always kept myself going by knowing that I wanted to win with everything that I did. I have just always wanted to accomplish my goals. I think that with my background in sports and academics, it kind of just gave my that discipline to remain committed and put in the work. I have always been a very focused person. I think that is what kept me going. It’s a promised that I made to myself that I would always be successful in whatever I decided to pursue.
How did it feel to get such a grand co-sign from Alicia Keys?
It was definitely surreal getting that co-sign from Alicia Keys. When it happened, I was not thinking that my music career was going in the direction I wanted. It was difficult. That actually happened on a night that I needed it the most. I was staying in a hotel when it happened, and I received a flood of text messages from my friends and they showed me that Alicia Key gave me her co-sign. I was so excited. It was surreal.
After watching your latest video, it’s easy to see why she is a fan of your music. Speaking of which, how would you describe your writing process?
When it comes to writing, I kind of do everything in one sitting. When I write, I listen to the beat and sing anything that is relevant to me in the moment. With “Rebound” and “Self-Care,” I heard the beats and I just started speaking my truths. That’s my creative process. I just sing the things that are on my mind. That’s pretty much how I do it. It’s usually all in one sitting. It’s fast. I don’t really use pens and paper. I freestyle and fix whatever parts I want to fix and that’s the song.
That’s something to be appreciated. It makes the songs more organic as opposed to being forced. Let’s talk about your practice of soul therapy.
For me, soul therapy is just the things that I do internally, the inner-work I do to stay on task, centered and self-aware. Soul therapy for me is making and releasing music as well as speaking my truth. For some people their soul therapy is listening to my music and me speaking my truth, but also relating to it through their own truth. Soul therapy is something that’s done within and music is made for its atmosphere. It’s not always perfect or pretty. They may not be the most noble or admirable stories. But even when I share those bad moments, it gives the listeners transparency and makes everyone strong.
Does it ever make you feel vulnerable sharing so much on such a public platform as music?
I think that I find a lot of strength in it. I guess when I first started with my first few songs, I felt I was sharing a lot of personal stuff and it made me feel a bit exposed. Now when that happens, I have so many supporters that are on the same page and going through the same things, it is almost a badge of honor when I am able to talk about my struggles and these very intimate feelings. I know I have an army of people who feel that same exact way. I’m not scared. It is always good to be the person in the room who says the things that no one else is willing to say out loud.
Even in the lyrics of your most recent video, you kept it very honest and transparent. With this being your first major label project, what steps are you taking to protect your persona and creative integrity?
I always remind myself that the reason I have gotten to this point in my career is by being me and that’s how I keep moving forward and winning in life. I stay true to myself. There is already a thousand other girls doing the same thing. Why not set yourself apart from that and give the world something it’s been missing. That’s why any change I make is an improvement that I feel needs to be done for my soul. I will never change out of wanting people to like me or trying to fit in.
BE’N ORIGINAL
