Following the release of her latest single ‘Shinon’, Lock Magazine had the pleasure to speak with Moldovan-Romanian alt-pop artist Catalina Cara to discuss her vibrant new single and future plans.
Hi Catalina and welcome to LOCK, for our readers could you please tell us a little about yourself?
I’m an artist, born in Moldova on February 29th – a leap year baby, which actually inspired the name of my first EP. I lived in London for eight years, but during the pandemic, I got stuck back home and ended up moving back and forth between Moldova and Romania.
I come from a loving and supportive family, and part of my childhood was spent in the countryside with my grandparents, where I developed a deep connection with nature which still fuels my creativity today. One of my biggest inspirations was my great-grandmother, a strong and deeply artistic woman who raised nine children on her own and brought beauty into everything she touched. I grew up surrounded by the love for music , my grandfather and uncle played instruments, and I started singing, dancing and playing piano from an early age. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, and at 9, I had my first big performance in Chisinau on International Children’s Day. That was the moment I knew I wanted to share my voice with the world.
“Shinon” feels deeply personal and emotionally liberating. Can you take us back to the moment or feeling that sparked its creation?
When I wrote “Shinon,” I was in a really low place emotionally, feeling insecure, trapped, and unsure of myself and my worth. I didn’t know exactly what I needed to escape from, but writing the song became an unconscious inner dialogue that helped me realize I wasn’t okay. It was like therapy, allowing me to express emotions I couldn’t put into words.
This is when the image of “Can I reach the stars? Blast off with my car! Could I shine among those thousands of galaxies?” crossed my mind and later on I have realised it came from one of my favourite childhood movies – Back to the Future, Part 2, the scene where the DeLorean car blasts into space.
Writing it was me imagining a version of myself that had already broken free, someone who had found her strength and was moving forward. In a way, the song became a map, helping me shift from darkness toward something lighter, even if it was just a small step at first.
The title is inspired by the Japanese kanji for heartbeat. What drew you to this concept, and how does it connect with the message of the song?
The title “Shinon” comes from the Japanese kanji for heartbeat – a symbol that felt really fitting for the emotional pulse of the song. I was drawn to the idea of something so constant and vital, yet often unnoticed, much like the feelings we try to suppress.
While searching for the right name, I stumbled upon the Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan, often called the “Roller Coaster Bridge.” Its steep, surreal shape matched exactly what I envisioned: my car blasting off into space, like a runaway. It became the perfect metaphor for how I was feeling – unstable, overwhelmed, yet still in motion.
That image, paired with the heartbeat, shaped the essence of the song. “Shinon” is about that quiet but steady rhythm that carries you through even the hardest stretches, a reminder to trust your inner pulse when everything else feels out of control.
What was it like working with Mihai Ristea on this track? How did your collaboration influence the final sound of “Shinon”?
Working with Mihai on “Shinon” was really special. We’ve developed a strong creative connection over time, and with this track, it felt especially in sync. The song started with a rough beat, melody, and lyrics and actually sounded very different at first. After some time apart, I shared with Mihai what I’d been going through and my new vision. He instinctively knew where to take it, both emotionally and sonically. When I heard the new version, I genuinely felt like it was the coolest song we’d made together
Mihai has a great sense for building textures and finding that sweet spot between simplicity and depth. He helped shape the sound of “Shinon” in a way that feels so ME. His input definitely elevated the track into what it is now.
“Shinon” blends alt-pop, soul, and nostalgic synths into something really fresh. How would you describe your musical evolution from your debut EP “Leap Year Baby” to this new release?
“Shinon” really reflects a period of growth for me. Since releasing Leap Year Baby, I’ve matured both as an artist and a person. I took time to rethink where I wanted my sound to go and what I truly wanted to express. I started approaching my music with a more critical and conceptual mindset, exploring deeper layers of meaning, both sonically and emotionally.
While I believe I’ll always be evolving, both as an artist and a human, one thing that stays constant is my authenticity. I create from how I feel in the moment, and every experience continues to shape me and my craft.
My debut EP was about experimenting and getting to know myself and letting people into that world. Now, with “Shinon,” and the upcoming EP, it’s about creating a dialogue. It’s still about me, but also about connecting with the listener on a more intentional level.
You have a signature blend of indie-pop, jazz, and soul. How do you navigate staying experimental while still making emotionally accessible music?
I’m really glad to hear it’s seen as a signature! It means a lot to know I can sound different from others. I stay true to the emotional core of my music, which is always personal and authentic. When it comes to blending genres, I have to give credit to Mihai too. Same as me, he’s very passionate about layers and blends, and the idea that music can sound simple but be really sophisticated underneath.
It’s strange and truly amazing how he sometimes taps into ideas I’ve only thought of but haven’t even expressed, it’s like he reads my mind. My writing lives somewhere between the conscious and the unconscious and sometimes it feels like I’m receiving flows of information from above, and I’m just the translator, channeling what’s meant to come through.
“Shinon” carries a sense of hope, freedom, and movement. Was there a particular moment in your life when you felt these emotions mirror the song perfectly?
“Shinon” definitely reflects a sense of hope, freedom, and movement, but when I wrote it, I wasn’t actually feeling those things. I was in a much darker place, insecure, lost and trapped. The hope and freedom in the song were things I longed for, not what I was experiencing at the time.
Now, however, I can look back and realise that I’ve come to a place where those feelings are more present in my life. I feel a sense of freedom and resilience I didn’t feel before, and “Shinon” is a reflection of that transformation. It’s like the song helped me find my way to those emotions, and now they mirror where I am in life.
Can fans expect more sonic experimentation or emotional storytelling like this in your future releases?
Yes, absolutely. Everything I write is deeply personal and authentic and that’s always been the foundation of my music. I’m currently working on an album, and I truly want it to feel different: more refined, more mature, and a true reflection of where I am now. I’m still exploring sound and emotion, but now with more self-awareness and a stronger vision behind every choice. I’m constantly evolving, and I want my future releases to reflect that.
What advice would you give to artists trying to write from the heart in a music industry that often favors formulas?
My advice would be to prioritise your needs, heart, and mental health above, to be able to stay connected to your inner self. Stay true to who you are, even when it feels like the industry is pushing you toward formulas. Writing from the heart means being real first. Take your time, trust your own instincts and intuition, and remember that authenticity is what truly resonates in the long run.
Lastly, what’s next for Catalina Cara in 2025?
In 2025, my main focus is to be happy above all. I’m dedicating time to expand my musical knowledge, learning more, and properly researching for my album to make sure it’s the best it can be. I’m also excited to release a new EP and hopefully tour in the autumn. I’m also aiming to finally release my first vinyl and make it a beautiful addition to this year’s accomplishments.