Katrina Velarde gets a sound-makeover with latest single ‘Sa Panaginip’
In an interview with Manila Bulletin, Katrina Velarde talked about how she got a sound makeover. It is on her latest Viva Records single titled Sa Panaginip.
Katrina Velarde trades her usual biritan singing style for R&B-inflected grooves and soulful vocal stylings on Sa Panaginip.
In the song, Katrina has top songwriter Thyro Alfaro write the lyrics of her new single.
Talented artists worked together on the music production. Ditto, Ivan Lee Espinoza, Marvin Querido, and American pop-jazz musician and drummer Mike Shapiro collaborated. They came up with a slick-sounding R&B pop song that fits Katrina perfectly.
Katrina was one of the hottest live acts in the biz before the pandemic hit. Her residency at the Music Hall was always a sold-out affair and was essentially her direct line to her supportive fans and listeners. But Katrina found herself with fewer and fewer gigs when the lockdowns struck. Shows and performing engagements that usually took the bulk of her time.
It was during this time that Katrina concentrated on her music. Prior to the new one, Katrina busied herself in recording and released a few singles. One was a cover of Hindi Tayo Pwede. The other, an original titled Mahal Pa Rin Kita.
The new single represents a new phase for Katrina Velarde. A Viva executive said,
“It’s a conscious decision for Katrina and her team and Viva Records to try a new approach.”
Katrina joined in, saying,
“Napag isip-isip ko na since wala naman masyadong mga gigs, eto na yung tamang oras para tingnan ko yung mga nagawa ko na. Yun, at saka kung paano ko pa mai-improve itong gift na binigay sa’kin.”
(I thought that since there are only a few gigs coming, this is the right time to look at things I already accomplished. That, and also, on how can I improve the gift given to me.)
Meanwhile, Katrina has her new husband to help her out. The newly christened Katrina Velarde-Shapiro is married to American pop-jazz luminary Michael Shapiro. He has played with the likes of Bobby Caldwell, Sergio Mendes, Will.i.am, Macy Gray, Justin Timberlake, Nicole Scherzinger, Fergie (Black Eyed Peas), Kevyn Lettau, Christopher Cross to name some.
Her husband Michael said,
“Katrina is an inspiring singer. She doesn’t realize it, but her success is an inspiration not only for singers and performers, but for those who set out to have a better life. She’s not a one-time success story as the Suklay Diva. She’s still making it with every career move she takes.”
Right now, what Katrina wants is to have that connection again with her fans. The singer shared,
“May social media, pero iba pa rin yung kaharap ko sila sa mga shows. Sana nga matapos na itong pandemic, para magkantahan na ulit tayong lahat.”
(We have social media, but having them [her fans] in front of me in shows is different. I hope this pandemic ends so we can sing together.)
In the meantime, Katrina Velarde and her fans can dream about that moment whilst sharing Sa Panaginip.
Katrina had her start in singing through singing competitions and is a legit kontesera. Katrina became an online sensation when her video singing with a hairbrush as a mic became viral, hence her initial moniker as the Suklay Diva.
She has since been hailed by music fans for her powerhouse voice. In 2019, her song Magkaibang Mundo received 6 nominations in the 33rd Awit Awards. It served as the theme song of the movie Just A Stranger starring Anne Curtis and Marco Gumabao.
