Colombian, long blonde locks and with hips that don’t lie. No we’re not talking about Shakira but her Dubai-based compatriot Fatiniza, also a singer with that fiery Latino spirit. The singer, whose made quite the name for herself in the UAE, released her first album, ‘Confusion’, in 2010 which went on to score big on the local charts and back in her native Colombia. Now she’s back with a follow-up album, ‘Nothing is Impossible’, which was released recently.
Fatiniza’s recent credits include performing with Corinne Bailey Rae at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, drawing in the fans at the Dubai Jazz Festival and performing for football club AC Milan and golfing superstar Tiger Woods.
Q: Tell us about your new album.
A: ‘Nothing is impossible’ is a compilation of 11 tracks: seven original tracks are in English and four songs in Spanish. These songs have been with me for a while. I’ve been writing them since I released my first album back in 2010.
Q: What was the inspiration for the new album?
A: [It] is inspired by fantasy and relationships, surely something we all have in common. All of us know what it’s like to be in a relationship and to have a daydream from time to time.
Q: You bear some resemblance to Colombian bigwig Shakira – have you been compared to her? What’s your take on her music?
A: I’d be lying if I said no, it has cropped up a few times. I feel flattered because it’s fantastic to be compared to someone so successful, I really respect her and love her music. That said, our music is completely different, I focus more on the ‘pop rock’ genre, and mix it up by fusing some other musical influences in there too.
Q: Why have you chosen Dubai as your place to launch an international career?
A: I realised some time ago that it’s possible to achieve your dreams when you’re away from home. Just look at Dubai, it’s getting so much attention from everywhere and is a great place to live and work. The world isn’t just watching, they’re coming here too, and I want to seize every opportunity that comes my way. I met legendary LA producer David Kershenbaum in Dubai while I was recording my new album. This just goes to show that the people who matter are really paying attention to what’s happening here right now. I’m honoured to say that he liked my songs too.
Q: Do you write your own music?
A: I do write all my songs, and I also like to get involved in the whole musical process, from the time the first track is laid down, until the moment we run off the master recording. I drive myself crazy sometimes because I won’t stop until I get the result I really want. I am so happy with this album, everyone that worked on it put something very special into it. We proved that Nothing is Impossible.
Q: What can we expect from you this year?
A: MTV is currently airing the three new music videos from my new album, and we’re planning lots of gigs and shows, both locally and internationally. I want to promote this new album as much as possible. Right now the team and I are organising our regional gigs. We’ll be going to Spain in the summer to film a new music video, and album distribution is to start in Spain too, which is great news for us. We’ve also got a possible trip to Malaysia for the Bite My Music Global Awards (in 2012 I won Best Female Act and Song of the Year for ‘Out of Control’). Joshua F Williams, my producer, and I are already talking about starting the next album. I already have a couple of new songs I’m working on. I never stop writing.
Dont’ miss it:
*’Nothing is Impossible’ is out in UAE stores now.