Q&A: Grecia Dianel
Words by Sarah Ruiz
Grecia Dianel, is a rising independent Latin artist hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico. She embarked on her professional journey at the age of fifteen, where she found her passion for storytelling through music. She crafts, composes and produces music to share with the world. She just graduated from the Frost School of Music in Miami and has dedicated her time to honing her voice and carving a niche in the Latin music scene, refining her production and songwriting skills for both herself and fellow emerging artists.
In 2023, she introduced her debut singles, "Hipérbole" and "Ajedrez," which showcased her distinct Latin pop-singer-songwriter style infused with elements from various Latin American genres, earning acclaim within her community. As of 2024, she remains steadfast in her project, presenting a fresh proposal to the Latin music industry with several upcoming releases on the horizon such as recently released “Suéter en el piso.”
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Grecia Dianel, and I am a Latin singer-songwriter from Caguas, Puerto Rico. I currently live in Miami and am finishing my last year as a student at the Frost School of Music. I began pursuing music professionally at the age of 15, when I discovered my love for telling stories. In 2023, I released my first two Latin pop singles, “Hipérbole” and "Ajedrez." Now, in 2024, I am very excited to release my new single, “Suéter en el piso.”
Tell us about your new song “Suéter en el piso.”
“Suéter en el piso” is a very special song to me. It’s about learning to love that special someone, even with their imperfections or little annoying things. It’s very different from what I’ve released in the past, but somehow it makes sense with the rest of my releases. I think it is a very exciting and fresh proposal for the Latin music industry. I am really excited for people to listen to it and hopefully relate it to their lives.
What inspired you to compose this song?
The song is 50/50 based on real-life and hypothetical events. Sometimes I would find myself complaining about little things someone I loved did, but immediately after, I would think how much it would suck if they left! (even if they leave their sweater on the floor constantly.) Musically, I had been wanting to write a song that represented the musical influences I’ve had during the past few years, including pop-soul, indie pop, and alt-jazz, among others. I wanted to make a horn arrangement for one of my songs for a really long time, and once I started writing this song, I knew it was the perfect time to mix all of those ideas!
Can you describe "“Suéter en el piso" in three words?
Hard question! I would say fun, calm, and groovy!
Is there a certain place that you feel the most creative in?
For me, inspiration strikes at the most unexpected times! I always make sure to write down any ideas I get on my notes app or record any musical ideas on a voice memo so I can revisit them later when I’m writing. However, if I had to pick a place, I think at home with a good snack or coffee is where I have written most of my songs! I need a quiet environment to really focus, and getting to be in my pajamas while writing is even better!
When did you realize you wanted to be an artist ?
Since I can remember, I have always wanted to make music. I always felt so inspired as a kid watching music award shows, musicals, music videos, or just listening to music. When the time to go to college came, it was an easy decision for me to choose music as the path I wanted to pursue.
What does it mean to you to be a Latinx Indie artist ?
I always say that being Latina is a super power. I love my culture so much, I think we have so much to say and offer. It is an honor for me to represent Latin music and especially Puerto Rico everywhere I go.
What artists have influenced your music and your career so far?
There’s many different musical inspirations in my life. Growing up, Tommy Torres, Alejandro Sanz, and Kany García were some of my inspirations, to name a few. I loved the idea of telling stories through lyrics, and they always did such a magnificent job at that. In recent years, Camilo, Juan Luis Guerra, and Jorge Drexler have been my biggest inspirations. They all have such a beautiful and creative way with words. Camilo in particular not only inspires me with his music but also with his artistry and brand. I can’t think of another artist like him!
If you could create a song with any artist, who would it be? ( We are manifesting this will happen)
Hahaha yes! It WILL happen! At this moment, writing a song with Camilo would be an absolute dream come true. I’m really curious to see what his process is like when making music. I think we could come up with something really cool. Who knows... maybe in a few years?
What else can listeners stay tuned for in 2024 from you?
This year you will see many more live performances from me, we are also planning on releasing more music and hopefully have some songwriting collaborations! I am always open to whatever opportunity comes my way so there might be surprises I don’t even know of yet!
You can learn more about Grecia here!