dance

We got back into the groove of things after the long 4th of July weekend by talking with Trinidad Cardona. If you’re on TikTok, you definitely know him, as his song “Dinero” became the #1 viral track on the app a couple of weeks ago. We can attest that this song has been in our heads all week. This overnight explosion of attention also lead “Dinero” to enter Spotify and Billboard charts, proving that Trinidad Cardona is a name you’re going to remember.

CROWDSURFER MAG: How was your holiday weekend? Do anything fun?

TRINIDAD CARDONA: I just watched some fireworks, made some food, it was nothing too crazy.

CSM: Ok let’s talk about “Dinero.” This song suddenly blew up overnight on TikTok. What was that moment like finding out that news?

TC: It was a weird, surreal moment because I didn’t do anything. It was literally being normal and then one day someone being like, you know your song is doing incredible? It didn’t feel real at the moment. I actually wrote it down on a manifestation board but forgot about it. So it was kind of weird how that came back, but manifestation is real, kids!

CSM: I love that, I’m here for all of the manifestation techniques. Did you spend a lot of time watching all the different TikToks? Any favorite ones?

TC: Yeah, there are millions of TikToks at this point, but at the beginning I was going through it looking at each video and what people were doing. Because I didn’t even have a TikTok! I had to learn how to use it and download it and all that.

CSM: Did you have any favorite TikToks using “Dinero?”

TC: People are all kind of doing their own things to it, but I like the dancing videos personally. It’s fun to see people go off.

CSM: Was it shocking to you to have a song that’s three years old get all that attention?

TC: Yeah because I dropped all these great songs, but I’m not mad that people like this one. This song, when it came out, it just didn’t catch on originally. It’s better to see it do good now than never.

CSM: Ok, so obviously a lot has happened in the years since that song came out. What would you like to direct all your new fans to listen to next?

TC: We’re actually working on new music, so you can keep listening to “Dinero” for another few weeks. We’ve got some more coming, already recorded.

CSM: What can you tell us about what’s next?

TC: It’s everything. Imagine every type of music that you wanna hear, yeah, it’s all that. I got dance records, I got soft records, I singing records, I got more rap-type records. I do everything.

CSM: It sounds like a great mix and we’ll all find something we love for sure. How has your musical style changed since you started releasing songs?

TC: Dramatically. I feel like I actually make really, really good music now. When I sang “Dinero” and the other songs I dropped around that time, that was my first start at music. I had just started singing. “Jennifer” was my first song, I had one more song after that, and then “Dinero.” So I’m like, people are going crazy over those songs that I did when I was a teenager, imagine what they’re about to go off on when they hear this new stuff. I’ve been recording, writing music, I’ve written over three, four hundred songs just this year. Practice makes perfect.

CSM: What do you hope most for your fans to get out of listening to your music? Do you have an impact you want to make?

TC: I want them to feel good. I want you to feel something. I want you to feel sad, cry it out, dance, feel happy. Whatever emotion I’m trying to portray through my music, I want them to feel that. And everyone has their own memories to these songs too, so just go make memories to this music so when you listen back to it you have something to think about, reminisce on. That’s how I do with my music. If I listen to music, it always has some type of memory attached to it, or a feeling attached to it, different songs for different moments.

CSM: So tours are getting back out there, happening again. If you were on a dream tour, who would you love to go on tour with?

TC: I never got asked this, it would probably have to be… First I know it’s gonna have to be Travis, I love the way Travis Scott performs. That was one of my first concerts. That dude’s crazy, energy insane. So definitely Travis…the second would probably be… probably be Brent Faiyaz I really like Brent Faiyaz.

CSM: Ok so we’ve got new music coming out for you sometime, is there anything else in the horizons that you’ve got planned?

TC: I just know it’s gonna be new music. A lot of people gonna hear it, a lot of people gonna love it. I’m just focused on that right now.

CSM: Anything else you want to let all your fans know, all your new listeners know?

TC: Just keep an eye out for new music. This whole thing is just getting started.

CSM: Well I’m excited. Keep manifesting! Wait, how do you go about your manifesting?

TC: Gotta write it down, it’s scripture. So you write it down on paper, write it down on a board, write it down every day, daydream about it. I literally live there. That’s how you make it happen.

CSM: I love this. Thank you for taking time out of your day, and we look forward to hearing more from you!

You can stream “Dinero” here, and be sure to keep an eye out for what’s next to come for Trinidad Cardona!

Dallas-based musician Barret Turner has been writing music for many years but has only recently begun releasing the tracks. We’re excited to introduce you to his songs! Read on to learn about Barret’s latest single “Always You” and everything he has planned next.

CROWDSURFER MAG: Your latest single “Always You” came out last month. What does this song mean to you?

BARRET TURNER: I made it a long time ago, and it was about my friend’s mom battling cancer. I brought I back with the newer stuff I make, and now I feel like it represents his journey after his mom passed away. I feel like he kind of lost himself and now he’s getting back to who he was.

CSM: We’re fans of Will Jay, so we were excited to see him featured on this song. How did bringing him onto the project happen?

BT: I sent him an email! I sent him six songs, and he said he wanted to work on “Always You.” He was super easy to work with, we’d send each other lyrics and melody ideas back and forth, and that’s how the song came about. Quarantine hit so we had to do everything over email.

CSM: It’s so wild that this all had to go down over email!

BT: Yeah, and I wish it wasn’t like that, but I was like, man I’d love to work with Will Jay, he’s so good. So I feel very lucky that he accepted the offer.

CSM: “Always You” follows up “On Purpose” which came out one month earlier. Can we expect another song this month?

BT: I’m putting a song out every month! October 30^th is the next one called “Never Stood.” It’s different than the other ones, it’s more vibey, chill-in-your-car-at-night kind of song.

CSM: “Always You” and “On Purpose” are both very emotional. What’s your writing process like when turning these personal stories into music?

BT: I like to write at night, and I’ll get an idea in my head and start dabbling with that. I normally start with the piano chords, and I’ll start building off of that. I like that epic, kind of sad build up towards the end that’s inspirational.

CSM: We all like sad songs! Who are your biggest inspirations in music?

BT: I always liked Martin Garrix and how his songs are kind of chill but at the end your brain is just mash because you’re so involved with the song. I also really like Hootie and the Blowfish. It’s a totally different type of music but it’s very emotional and real.

CSM: So you’ve got more singles to release, and do you have anything else in store for us?

BT: Yeah when I put this next song out I’ll have the lyric video and another music video for that. And then, next month, same thing. I’d like to play show but obviously that’s not happening right now!

CSM: Whoa, that’s a ton. How are you managing to get all of that out every month?

BT: I usually have someone do the lyric video, but I’ve been making the music videos myself, and It’s hard. It’s a learning curve, and it’s a lot. But it’s kind of fun, too, because it’s rewarding when it’s done!

CSM: What’s one of your goals for 2021?

BT: I’ve been trying to get all of my songs finished and getting them out is really the only goal right now. Just trying to keep going up! There’s no plan B right now, it’s just this, and I’m excited about it. I just don’t want to one day be old and say “damn, I never even tried.”

CSM: Last question, even though holidays are weird this year, do you have any plans for Halloween?

BT: No, I’m sure I’ll do something though! This weekend I’m going to the Chiefs game.

CSM: Wait, you’re in Dallas but going to the Chiefs game?

BT: Oh yeah, my grandpa played for them so it’s a family thing.

CSM: That’s crazy!

BT: Yeah, he played in the first Superbowl. And a lot of the songs I made . . . I lived with my Grandma for a year and a half, and I was making these songs and she would listen. And then she passed away, and the Chiefs went to the Superbowl the next week and won it. We went to the game and it was the best thing I’ve ever been to. It felt like she was there, you know?

CSM: That’s magical and amazing.

Take a listen to “Always You” here!