Meet Bilingual Songstress Alaina Castillo
Starting out on YouTube, Houston, Texas native Alaina Castillo is making a name for herself in the world of music. In just a year, the 18-year-old songstress has uploaded original songs, covers, and music videos, earning her 1 million loyal fans in the process. Accomplishing such a massive feat in a short amount of time is only a piece of what this emerging artist is capable of. Citing Ariana Grande and Andrea Bocelli as influences, the songstress has effortlessly created her R&B-Pop style and sound. From her impeccable voice and lyrics to switching between singing in Spanish and English, Alaina Castillo is a multidimensional artist that’s on track to pop stardom.
We were able to chat with the ‘i don’t think i love you anymore’ singer about everything from when she fell in love with music, new EP antisocial butterfly, and more…
When did you fall in love with music?
My parents used to play mainly Christian music around the house and for the first part of my life that was all I heard. I remember being in sixth grade and I went to my friend’s house and she was playing the local pop radio station and I heard Usher. That’s when I knew. I became obsessed with Usher and that was my real first introduction to music.
What is the easiest and hardest part of singing in English and Spanish?
The enunciation. When you’re carrying over from English to Spanish or vice versa, you have to bring the same vibe and energy. I love the way Spanish sings, the words are more rhythmic and you can really feel them.
What is your songwriting process?
Usually I hear the melody first. The producer will play something on the synth or the guitar and a word or pictures will come to me. I’ll be on the couch or in front of the computer and I’ll ask for a pen. I normally write down how I’m feeling about the song, almost like a poem, and then we go from there and try to make it a full song. If I get an idea when I’m not writing, I’ll take out my phone and record something and bring it out in the session.
Your latest single ‘i don’t think i love you anymore’ is such a vibe, how did that track come to be?
Thanks! This was after a really difficult day. I was tired and sad. I’m a hard romantic and I was trying to work out how to put it into words. I asked my producer Romans to play something sad on the piano. He played something and I was like “No, even sadder than that!” I went onto the mic and sang and that’s what I came out with. I had been thinking about subject of the song for a while but the lyrics came out as I was singing.
What influenced the concept for the video?
The video is about being in your feelings and going over a relationship, questioning if you love the person anymore or if they still love you. You’re trying to find a reason for why you’re being treated badly. There’s always a moment of realisation and this is what I wanted to show in the video. I’m in my bedroom and I walk out and the lights change, and this was meant to symbolise that moment.
Your EP is a fantastic blend of R&B and pop, which track is your favourite off the record?
I really like ‘back to you’. It’s my go-to song and I love the calming, vibey energy that it gives off. Another favourite is ‘no importa’ because it’s very fun to sing. It rolls off the tongue. It’s about not caring about what other people say when you’re deeply in love with somebody.
Which artist has helped shape your musical journey?
Ariana Grande and Andrea Bocelli! Bocelli definitely inspired me in my song ‘mentiras’. I love Ariana’s voice and it inspires me to open my voice when I sing. I also love the dreamy vibe of her music. And of course Usher. When I was younger I loved the Beach Boys and I still try to emulate the vibe of their music.
What are you looking forward to the most for 2020 with your music?
I’m looking forward to writing, putting music out that people love and touring. I want to grow as a person and I want to improve my voice and my skills as a performer.
Make sure to check out Alaina Castillo’s lead single ‘no importa’ here and debut EP antisocial butterfly below…
