Meet Karina Andrea | Musician, Ifluencer, Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karina Andrea and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karina, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has been the main theme of my life since I was about 12. I’ve never been afraid to showcase what I’m passionate about. From implementing a choir program at my middle school, to transferring from public high school, to remote school to pursue my music career. To this day, I’m 23 years old and continuing to shape the next phases of my professional pursuit with nothing but more risks. I genuinely believe everything I’ve experienced thus far has prepared me for almost anything else that comes my way in the near future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Pursuing an independent artist project has led me down a path that’s anything but stable. However, I wouldn’t do anything differently. As someone with clinical, sometimes debilitating anxiety, it’s been especially tough living on my own and continuing to push through the trials that being a young adult in a city like LA have to offer. Throughout my creative journey, I’ve gone back and fourth between trying the JUST influencer thing, and JUST musician thing. The difficulty finding balance between this stems from how heavy social media was involved in my teens, and how disconnected it made me from my artistic development.

I’m genuinely so proud of myself right now. I feel like I’ve been the most focused and steady lately, realizing that I need to prioritize the music above all else (I know, what a concept right?). It took awhile, but I realized that I was tying a lot of my self worth to my socials. This reflected on my music and the way I was releasing it. I made the tough decision to put a massive halt to actively releasing on my indie artist project. The substantial personal development I’ve experienced while being in LA led me to this decision, and it was the best thing that’s happened to me. The music is coming, I’m growing. I’m prioritizing my foundation, my belief in myself and my craft. I’m enjoying my family, friends, creative peers and life. I’m tapping into my fullest potential.

I’m beyond excited for what my project is going to sound and look like. I just know that this EP is going to be my baby and something I’ll forever be proud of myself for taking the necessary time to do right.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were to FINALLY visit me in Los Angeles, I’d start by taking them to my favorite food spots. For breakfast, we’d get coffee at Coffee For Sasquatch on Melrose. Then, Mario’s for solid Peruvian food or Sugar Taco for the best vegan Mexican food ever. I would drive them to Garage No. 4 in Santa Monica for pretty pier views and shopping. I would paint on my rooftop. We’d definitely have to visit the friends I’ve made here as well. Essentially, I’d make them do everything I find joy in when I’m trying to escape any sort of stress out here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom and dad. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have the courage to keep pursuing my creative dreams. I grew up feeling like I was capable of quite literally anything, because they always made it a point to remind me that I was strong, beautiful and able to become whatever I actually worked for. My parents showed me the meaning of love with their unconditional support they’ve given not only to me, but to each other as I grew up. I know that the way I was raised is rare and I’m reminded daily how lucky I truly am to be navigating this crazy world with them by my side. I’m spending my 20s working toward something that’ll make me happy, and my parents proud.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinerrrrrrr/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSa7cXbLSdCJAYPKsIFG6vQ

Image Credits
First performance shot image taken by @joshuajirahmejia Second images by @jenhanshaw