Star Spot with Tracy Cruz, Neo Soul, Jazz, R&B influenced musical artist, songwriter, and vocal coach

Tracy Cruz: Her Latest Album and Challenges in the Industry

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 Tracy Cruz, talented winner of 2022.

A full-time musical artist, songwriter, and vocal coach who has taken home an impressive 44 prestigious music awards. With her sophisticated and sultry sound, Tracy’s music transcends genres, blending Neo Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, and Filipino fusions into a soulful orchestra of sound.

In our interview, Tracy Cruz will share with us her challenges, inspirations, and personal discoveries that have shaped her music career. With her piercingly clear mezzo soprano melodies, Tracy’s music will cleanse your soul in a dream-like wonder. Her soothing velvet tales of hope, love, beauty, and reflection are enlightened anthems that resonate with audiences around the world.

Tracy’s talent and hard work have earned her sold-out concerts, tours, and openings for renowned artists such as Kenny Lattimore, Pete Escovedo, Miki Howard, Keke Wyatt, Sy Smith, Moonchild, Raheem Devaughn, Wes Felton, Derrick Hodge, Sy Smith, Dee Dee Simon, and even Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas. 

Let’s dive right into the interview summary and tap into Tracy Cruz ’s vast knowledge and experience. The full interview is available on Instagram – click here to check it out.

 

Can you tell us about your latest album and when it will be released?

I’m currently working on my latest album, which is titled “Sun after the rain.” The album talks about conquering our internal struggles and challenges, such as fear, insecurities, and doubts, so that we can pursue our dreams. The pandemic caused some setbacks, but I plan on releasing the album in July 2023. I’m also working on three singles, one of which is already completed and ready to go. The album is about encouraging ourselves to keep going despite difficulties, and the importance of self-care in the creative process. Pouring into oneself is crucial to be able to pour into others and create.

 

We heard that you recently met with Heerraa, InterContinental Music Awards’ 2022 ICon Award winner! Can you tell us a bit more about that meeting and what you talked about?

Yes, I did meet with Heerraa recently, and it was wonderful! We talked about music, food, and life in the Bay Area. It was great to connect with her in person and have a real-life interaction. We shared some of our favorite musical influences and talked about collaborating in the future. Overall, it was a really great experience, and I’m excited to see what comes from our meeting.

 

Can you tell us if there are any collaboration plans in the works?

 There have been some talks about it, and I am open to collaborating with anyone affiliated with InterContinental Music Awards. When we collaborate, we always bring something different to the table, whether it be different genres, lyrics, or messages. The merging of different minds is a beautiful thing, as it can take a song in a completely different direction than originally expected.

What do you hope your listeners take away from your music?

As an artist, my primary hope is for my listeners to relate to my music and feel the lyrics. I want them to interpret the songs in their own way and apply them to their day-to-day lives. My music has a lot of encouraging themes, and I hope it motivates my listeners and helps them deal with healing and acceptance. I want to boost their mood, especially on days when they’re going through a difficult time.

Music is an incredibly powerful tool; I believe I have a huge responsibility to create honest music that my listeners can relate to and be affected by in a positive manner. When I release music, I do it intentionally, ensuring that it comes from a place of authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty. I talk about what I’ve experienced or what I’ve seen others experience, and I put that into a song and share it with the world.

 

Tracy, as we have seen, the music industry has gone through a lot of changes and challenges. What do you see as the future of the music industry, and how do you see yourself fitting into that?

 I feel like there are a lot of challenges for us independent artists when it comes to navigating the music industry. It can get overwhelming with all the changes in selling music and promotion tools. However, I think planning out each release and how to have a direct connection with your listeners and supporters can make things manageable.

But as an independent artist, there’s a lot to juggle, like booking your own shows, deciding on your photography and music video, copyrighting your music, and paying for distribution. Moving forward, I just have to manage my time wisely and be very specific on the operational side to make sure that each process is smooth and efficient. I believe that being detail-oriented and ensuring that there are no loopholes is crucial for success in the music industry.

 

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing independent artists?

I would say funding is the biggest challenge. It’s very expensive to release music, and it’s tough to balance personal expenses with music expenses. As an independent artist, you have to figure out how to save up for your projects and be very intentional and strategic with how you’re going to release and promote them successfully. Everything counts, and it’s important to have funding for both creating the project and promoting it.

 

What is your favorite track on your album and why?

My favorite track on my album is the title track, “After the Rain.” This is the first time I’ve created a title track and it stands out to me because of the message behind it. The song is about encouraging yourself and others during tough times and looking at each day as a brand-new opportunity. The symbolism of the sun represents newness and each day being a fresh start. This song is vital for the album because of the message it conveys.

 

What are your final words for your fans and supporters?

A: I am extremely grateful and honored for all the support I have received on this journey. I’m excited to have everyone join me on this journey, whether it’s been years or just starting now. It’s important to take care of yourself and nourish the relationships you have in your circle and beyond. Building community and being supportive of others is a crucial aspect of music. We can’t stand alone, and we can’t do it on our own. So, I encourage everyone to help others and build each other up because it makes us stronger as a unit. Thank you again for your support, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

 

Tracy Cruz Contact Info:

 

Click here to watch the Tracy Cruz’s full interview on Instagram 

Merry & Tracy Cruz smiling to the camera during the star spot interview.

InterContinental Music Awards Team

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