Andrea Irene

I have always wanted to become a singer. I joined the school choir, started taking singing lessons and the older I got the more I wanted to do. I had found my passion.

About the time I reached 18 I no longer had an interest in performing or even singing. I told myself I needed to focus on what was important. Getting an education and creating a future for myself where I had the security I lacked in myself. The odd times I did perform I felt incredible self doubt, I felt uncomfortable with having people look at me and I tried to hide away my body. I didn’t fit the beauty standard you see on screen. I didn’t look like a performer, nor did I have the confidence of one.

When Colla Records reached out to me and asked if I ever thought about writing my own music I honestly didn’t know how to respond. Did they acctually think I was good enough? Yet when I saw their message I wanted to scream of joy. Because what if this is my shot?

This entire process of writing a song, working towards a release and creating something out of nothing, has been life changing for me. Never feeling like I fit in and never really feeling comfortable with myself has made me second guess all my decisions and made me very willing to go along with other people’s choices. I’ve found a voice within myself and strength to push back. I don’t need to follow the yellow brick road, I can create my own. It might take me a little longer, but that’s the fun in it. The choice is mine. I get to decide.