KATRINA Roshan is a fan of musical diversity, and it is not easy to pigeonhole her in one category of music.
The 20-year-old lists pop queen Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and popular singer-songwriters Yuna, SonaOne and Talitha Tan as her biggest musical inspirations from home, and also admires The Chainsmokers, Madison Beer and Chelsea Cutler for their cutting-edge music.
CRIMINOLOGY STUDENT
Besides music, Katrina or Kat is also fascinated by crime investigations and procedural dramas on Netflix.
The KLite, who will pursue a three-year criminology degree at University College London (UCL) in September, has released a dance music single, Going Crazy Wild, complete with a hot K-Pop-style music video featuring South Korean hip-hop singer Kim Su-jin.
Going Crazy Wild is co-produced by South Korea's James Park, Kim Jun-il and Chan Hee-jung, with lyrics by Kat herself.
17 HOURS
Going Crazy Wild was recorded more than 17 hours at Park's studio in Seoul last year, and Kat describes the process as "tiring but fun".
"Going Crazy Wild is my first K-pop song and first collaboration with a Korean producer and singer.
"I'm a fan of all things Korean, and I'd love to learn the language and sing in it," said Kat at her single and music video launch in Live Centre, Kuala Lumpur, recently.
BASED IN KL
Even though Kat will be studying abroad for the second time (she attended high school in Los Angeles, the US, three years ago), she wants to be based in KL s there is "no other place like home".
"I wrote, composed and released one Malay song titled Rasa two years ago, but I plan to penetrate the Malay language market after I complete my studies."
BALLADS AND HIP-HOP
Kat said ballads, pop, hip-hop and electronic dance music were her strengths.
"I first sang when I was 5, and during my secondary school days, I took vocal lessons from Datuk Syafinaz Selamat," said Kat, who studied at the International School @ Park City in Desa Park City, KL.
"My parents love music, I guess I went a step further by choosing to become a recording artiste. Music helps me express myself.
"And composing and writing help me express my emotions."
SELF-PENNED MATERIALS
Kat, who writes songs based on personal experience, has compiled hundreds of self-penned materials since secondary school, but only a handful have been put to music.
She made her debut in 2020, with an extended play titled My Demons that conveyed her feelings during the Covid-19 lockdown.
My Demons has 10 songs, including Rasa.
"Whenever I write a song, I play simple chords on the guitar and piano, and gradually add the lyrics and melody," she said.
TAUGHT GUITAR
Kat, who is of Malay-Chinese parentage started piano lessons at 5 with her mother's encouragement.
She was taught the guitar by her former teacher Stephen Kimber, who also managed her.
She has been mentored by music producer Ong Peng Chu since 2018.
EDUCATED ENTERTAINER
"It is my dream to become a successful artiste who composes and writes songs for herself and others.
"Even though I have chosen to pursue a degree not related to music, criminology is my second passion to fall back on.
"My parents always told me it was better to be an educated entertainer, like Datuk Sudirman Arshad and Freddie Mercury, who both graduated."
PERFECT PITCH
Park said Kat possessed a perfect pitch and had a great work ethic.
"She is remarkable, I truly believe she will go far," he said.
Su-jin said: "It's great working with Kat. We share so much in common, she is very professional.
Going Crazy Wild is on all digital platforms, and the music video is on Universal Music Malaysia's official YouTube channel. dchua@nst.com.my