Tricia D’Cruz is a mass communications graduate who decided to turn her love for singing into a career. Bubbly with a fun and vibrant personality, Tricia took part in the reality singing competition Malaysian Idol in 2005 and made it to the Top 9.
From there, she started singing at various pubs as well as restaurants around the country, and she also performed for private and corporate events. She was a member of a commercial club band for a year and half before parting ways with the band as she wanted to take on something more challenging.
Having always had jazz music be part of her life from a very young age, Tricia moved in the direction of singing jazz and making it her career. With the guidance from her musically inclined family, The Solianos, Tricia has matured into a polished jazz singer with great poise on stage. She has her own style of injecting soul when singing jazz, making her a breath of fresh air. Apart from jazz, Tricia often includes R&B and pop into her repertoire making her shows highly entertaining and appealing to an audience of all ages.
Hype.My caught up with this down to earth singer in an exclusive interview recently. Here’s what Tricia has to say.
You were a Malaysian Idol contestant, tell us what it was like being on the show?
Being on Malaysian Idol was a lot of pressure! I actually joined the show to challenge myself. My friends and those closest to me say I’m a very loud person but I’m extremely shy when I’m on stage. I wanted to be a singer so badly and I knew I had to get over my shyness so I joined the show. I was the most inexperienced finalist and it was pretty amazing that I even made it to the top 12.
How has it been since the show?
It’s been an awesome journey since! I’m doing what I love and I have no regrets! I’ve been in different bands of different genres, getting to know the industry and most importantly; discovering myself as an artiste.
You’ve been singing and performing since 2005, in your opinion how has the music industry in Malaysia change since then?
It’s getting a lot easier for musicians nowadays. With the help of social networking sites available today, it’s easier for musicians to get their materials out. Musicians nowadays have the luxury of working independently — from promoting themselves the way they want to, making music without any pressure from A&R managers from giant companies and so forth. Also, trends don’t really affect listeners nowadays. Malaysian listeners know what they like. From acoustic sounds of Yuna to punk rock music from Bunkface and hip hop from Joe Flizzow, it is all appreciated by the listeners here and it’s great!
You come from a musically inclined family, The Solianos, would you say that the pressure to perform better is stronger and higher due to that?
Honestly, no. Yes, music is in my blood and I idolised my musically inclined family. Growing up around music and working with them has taught me so much but I also do what I do because I love music. I am still learning, still growing but there isn’t any added pressure from my family. I am my own worst critic.
Who were your major influences growing up?
My first cassette was Erykah Badu’s Baduizm. I was 13. Loved her then and I still love her now!
What do you think about the local talent in Malaysia?
Malaysia is home to quite a number of fantastic musicians! And I must say, I LOVE Yuna! She is such an inspiration.
If you could change one thing about the current music industry in Malaysia, what would it be?
I would love to see the day our industry changes the mindset of our listeners. Imagine if people could really appreciate music as an art form and not just as a form of entertainment, everything will change! People will go for shows, not just for free concerts, people would start paying more attentions to songs, deeper into the music itself. From lyrics to arrangements to the sound and style of music, to everything that goes into making a song. Appreciation will also change people’s perception towards musicians and they will being to realise how much effort and energy is channeled into making good music — from writing, producing and performing.
Do you normally perform covers or originals?
For now, it’s all covers but that’s gonna change real soon 🙂
What do you hope to achieve with your career in the next 5 years?
To complete my first solo album (all originals), to perform at music festivals around Malaysia and outside of Malaysia, and to perform on The Ellen Show! Hahahaha hey, the sky is the limit! 😉
Is there an album in the works?
Yes! And it is set to drop mid this year.
Where can our readers watch your perform or get updates from you?
Updates on my music can be found on my Facebook page.
And that’s a wrap! Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us Trish!
Thank you so much for taking the time out to interview me! Cheers!
Here’s Not Today, an original number by Tricia D’Cruz.
