Latin-Country Singer-Songwriter Dianña Discusses New Music, Biggest Inspirations and More!

Dianña has redefined what it means to be a Latin and country music artist with her revolutionary creation of Latin Country, a brand new music genre. Throughout her career, Dianña has written, recorded and performed with many well-known r&b, rap, rock, pop, gospel, alternative, and of course, Latin and country artists. From Snoop Dogg to Amy Grant, Dianña’s versatile talents have been heard, seen, and shared with audiences worldwide.

Previously nominated for a Billboard Music Award as a songwriter, in 2018, Dianña released her debut single as a lead artist. “Andale Yeehaw” fuses together the iconic instruments found in Latin music with the southern vocal stylings of country music. Dianña has pioneered the merging of these two musical categories and has created a style of sound that is reminiscent of her artistic inspirations and childhood cultures.

Aside from her lead vocalist talents, Dianña is a sought-after harmony vocalist in part, because of her ability to sing in several languages. Her pop ballad, “Leaving You Behind,” written for Emii hit several Billboard music charts and reached over 1 million streams when it was released.

Dianña’s musical passions have also extended towards philanthropic efforts. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, she wrote and performed her songs “Stand Up & Live Strong” and “I Know I’m Beautiful” at several Susan G. Koman Race for the Cures and Breast Cancer Award Ceremonies. At CBS Studio’s Larger Than Life L.A. Family: Improving the Lives of Children with Cancer hosted by Mario Lopez, Dianña performed “Live, Love & Laugh.”

In addition to those philanthropic moments, her passion for performing and writing for charities has extended also to Musician’s Workshop, a Katrina Disaster Relief Music Project at Conway Studios, Battered Women’s Shelters, Homeless shelters, Raising of the Torch, Tennis Camp, Giving for the Holidays, Saint Martin’s Animal Rescue, Children Uniting Nations, Vote NOH8, Toys 4 Tots, and many more.

Connect With Dianña Here:

https://www.facebook.com/Dian.naLatinCountry/

https://www.instagram.com/dian_na_latin_country/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7yDAsKe-2_5d3-Fx5MkHBA

Learn more about Dianña in the following All Access interview:

What are some of your goals and new year’s resolutions for 2019?

Musical Goals for 2019: Perform at as many Events as I can. Do T.V. Performances. Up my Social Media. Co-Write with Kick Ass Songwriters!

New Year Resolutions: Travel, Perform Live, Be A Voice, Finish things I started, Keep Healthy Mind, Soul, Body, Voice.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician one day? How was music part of your upbringing? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

Growing up was very different, Music was the only outlet that made me feel I could do good.

I heard a lot of different music, my Grandmother was a singer so I was introduced to a wide range of music. I grew up with church as an important part of my upbringing so Gospel music was a big influence. I heard the Gospel Messengers, Amy Grant, the soulful voice of Etta James, Billy Holiday, Johnny Mathis and many more.

I remember singing a lot with my little record player and my hairbrush as my microphone. I got the opportunity later in my teens to sing with the Gospel Messengers and do some background vocals for Amy Grant.

I grew up in a house away from neighbors so music was pretty much all we did for entertainment. My siblings and I were left home alone a lot so we would pretend we were musicians and put on shows. Where I am today, is so loud and busy there is always some type of music playing outside my windows it inspires me and keeps me motivated.

I also enjoyed being in musicals so acting was another dream for me.

What has been the biggest surprise to you so far about making music your career? What has been a welcome challenge to it all?

The biggest surprise so far in my music career is that I finally am doing my own project the way I want to and finding my place in music. I have done so many types of music but Country Music brings me back to my roots! Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn…etc. Country Music is about telling a story and I am a story teller.

The welcome challenge is I get to go back to country music and to storytelling.

Let’s talk about your single, “Andale Yeehaw.” Where did the inspiration for it first come from? What was it like making the music video for it?

“Andale Yeehaw” is two words I put together to create Latin Country (Andale-Latin for come on/ Get Up, Yeehaw-is a country expression that Cowboys use).

I noticed that Latin was being used in Country when The Zac Brown Band sang Adios and Vaya Con Dios. I also put a new Line Dance to the song so when I perform live I can share something that would make everyone participate and ‘Get Up’.

I was so excited when we did the video and how amazing it turned out! People were telling me “We can’t stop singing ‘Andale Yeehaw.'” And how it was so catchy!

What about your newer single “Rubberneck”? What inspired that track?

Last month, my single RUBBERNECK was released. I also have songs waiting that are completed and a list of several others that are ready for recording in the next couple of months.

People inspire me and I am big on listening to conversations across a room or seeing peoples actions whether they are sad, in love, arguing, breaking up…etc.

I would love to know more about learning all the different languages and what it has been like singing in them? Which ones are your favorite to perform in?

I went to several schools growing up. We moved a lot. Every school had a different music program such as Acapella Choir, Guys & Dolls, Camerata…etc. Each class taught certain languages- French, Italian, Spanish, German and more. I am very happy that I had that experience. I thought one day I would be an Opera singer because of the challenges.

Singing in different languages has been an advantage because I have performed with several Flaminco and Latin bands throughout my music career.

I love singing in Italian and Spanish and perfecting the pronunciations.

What do you think of social media today and how has it affected your music career? How do you stay up to date on it all?

My social media only included my personal Facebook page for a few years, where I could control my followers. It consists of mostly all friends who I have met personally in music or are associated with music.

I just started a couple months ago with other things such as Instagram and it has been different knowing I have to post something daily. I started Twitter weeks ago. I am still figuring it out as well as my Facebook Fan Page.

I personally love to connect with fans in person, so I am excited to be doing radio interviews, Red Carpet Events, Podcasts and live performances starting this month.

You have performed with so many incredible artists so I am curious what experience stands out the most to you today?

I had a wonderful opportunity in my career to record with so many great musicians and artists! I loved singing with Natalie Cole’s piano player and Nancy Sinatra’s Bass player! Love live performing with bands!

I have learned so much about how I can be open in songwriting and not be stuck in one genre. I feel I am a Music Butterfly.

Who are some of your favorite musicians or rather what artists have been inspiring you since the beginning?  Who would you still love to work with in the future?

I would say The Carpenters have been my inspiration for years. Karen had such a simple on key voice, not mention her range. Patsy Cline with her story-lines and beautiful country voice. Shania Twain is one of the Country Artists that hooked me to New Country. She showed how today’s stories have changed and added fun to the Music. Luke Bryan with his fun lyrics and stage presence. Keith Urban with the Electric Guitar being more relevant. Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert are strong female no B.S. ladies. I love Gretchen Wilson who came in like a bull in a china shop, speaking her mind in her music! I feel I have mixed all that together and fused that in my music, telling it like it is, no filters.

I would love to write and perform with Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts. There are too many to name.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what instrument would you want to have with you?

If I was stranded on a deserted island forever I would probably take a guitar and a piano. Guitar for the Country and Latin Country sounds. The piano for ballads, dramatic sounds and gospel. Those are my two favorite instruments that I love to play.

If your music could be featured on any TV show or movie, which one would it be?

I would love to be on The ELLEN SHOW!!! Ellen always loves to incorporate dance and music in every show. I would love to teach her the ‘Andale Yeehaw’! We have been offered to have Andale Yeehaw in a movie so fingers crossed!

What has been your ideal show so far? What would you say makes for a great performance for you?

I have a lot of favorite shows that I have seen which have taught me:

1. Don’t keep the crowd waiting for you to start! (No matter how big you are)

2. Don’t talk too much to the audience, they came for your music.

3. Have some type of merchandise giveaway.

4. Connect with your audience.

5. Keep the music going…no dead spots.

6. Be colorful and FUN!

I think a great show consists of great uplifting music that gets a crowd going. Lots of energy and a live band. Connecting with the crowd, talking and singing. Giving away some fun merchandise. I think having a line dance in my song Andale Yeehaw is a great crowd-pleaser.

Where can people see you perform next? Do you have a 2019 tour scheduled yet?

I will be performing in Vegas this year but we are still working out the exact date and getting a lot of calls for shows, so the dates will be announced soon.

What do you hope fans take away from your music?

I hope my fans can say “OMG, her lyrics are awesome!” I am hoping “Rubberneck” becomes a catchphrase around the world. I hope that my fans say “WOW, I love how she was able to fuse Latin with Country!”

I think line dancing is timeless so Andale Yeehaw should be as well. I think in all that I am writing in my music is about what people do on a day to day basis. If you keep songs relevant they become timeless.

I hope that people can come to life with my music. I hope that people can laugh and dance and feel excited when they hear my songs. That my fans grow to encourage me to continue and grow with them.