Meet Brussels but I am Spanish-born UK Open Mic performer Cristina Peña:

Hi Cristina Peña, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

26

Where were you born?

Brussels but I am Spanish.

Where did you grow up?

Brussels but I am Spanish.

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

It opened my eyes to a bunch of different music – I listen to music in pretty much any language, and I love learning about the folklore of different countries. In terms of how I write and perform, there are a couple of Spanish singer songwriters that draw from Spanish folklore (and Hispanic, beyond just Spain) that have heavily influenced how I myself sing (Silvia Perez Cruz or Natalia Lafourcade, for instance).

Where are you based now, and why?

London.

What got you into making music in the first place?

Always been a musician; studied Music at Uni; decided that I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing
Piano
Piano
Guitar

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Phoebe Bridgers
Boygenius
Samia
Yebba
Holly Humberstone
Rosalia
Lizzy Mcalpine
Alix Page
The Milk Carton Kids
Silvio Rodríguez
Gregory Alan Isakov

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

15

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

I’ll write verses or concepts/ideas as soon as they come in my notes app so I don’t forget them. I try to be disciplined about writing because if I rely solely on when inspiration strikes, I tend to postpone it – and I find that it’s a muscle that needs to be stretched and exercised like any other.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

2

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

Wanting to perform; wanting to meet other artists; exposure.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

The nerves before going on stage.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Finding the time and motivation to be switched on at all times (if I’m not writing, I have to be posting; if I’m not posting, I should be doing admin).

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

My EP!!!

Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://www.instagram.com/pn_cris/

What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?

@cristinapnmusic

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!