Andreya Triana

Originally from South East London, Andreya Triana developed her craft as an experimental singer and songwriter without formal training. Her distinctive husky tone echoes the styles of Lauryn Hill and Cassandra Wilson, while her moody soul output aligns more closely with trends among fellow European artists of the twenty-first century than with prevailing American approaches. At fourteen she relocated to Worcester in the West Midlands. Three years later she launched an open-mike night at a neighborhood venue; its proprietor connected her with a circle of local players, leading to the formation of the group Bootis. During her music-technology studies in Leeds she reassembled the project with fresh personnel and an expanded multi-genre palette. Her affinity for spontaneous performance soon gave rise to the Freeflo Sessions, a solo format in which she layers live vocals, percussion, and beats through a sampler. Extensive touring of these sessions highlighted her inventive command, earning her a place at the 2006 Red Bull Music Academy in Australia, where she refined her improvisational approach and established ties with leading producers and players. Among the collaborations that emerged was “Tea Leaf Dancers,” recorded with hip-hop producer Flying Lotus and issued on Warp Records. The track drew the notice of Ninja Tune mainstay Simon Green, known as Bonobo, who included her on his Black Sands album and subsequently produced her debut full-length, Lost Where I Belong. Released in 2010, the album presented a warmly received collection of smoky ballads and meticulously crafted midtempo soul pieces marked by a pronounced retro atmosphere.