Q&A: Catarina Zenaro Chases a Cinematic Ideal on “I Want the Love I See in Movies”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY KIMBERLY KAPELA ☆
Graziella Fraccaroli
NO PERFECT ENDING — On her newest EP, I Want the Love I See in Movies, Brazilian singer-songwriter Catarina Zenaro revisits the failed relationships that shaped her recent years. Throughout the EP, Zenaro examines not only the people who hurt her, but also the expectations she carried into those relationships. While creating the project, Zenaro realized beneath every failed romance was a longing for a love as perfect as the ones portrayed on screen.
“I started noticing that all of them were about failed relationships, which made me feel a little sad,” Zenaro says to Luna. “That’s why I decided to call the EP, I Want the Love I See in Movies. After revisiting all of these experiences, I came to the realization that I just wanted something ‘perfect,’ like what we see in the cinematic universe.”
Leading the way is “Lie, Lie, Lie,” the EP’s latest single and one of its most emotionally charged moments. Following the release of “Bella” earlier this year, the track offered listeners another glimpse into I Want the Love I See in Movies.
“After going through a turbulent relationship, one shaped by lies and frustration, I felt compelled to write a song about it,” Zenaro says. “The shift came when I realized that you can’t change someone, but you can change how you respond to them — and that insight arrived alongside this song. I kept thinking, ‘You can lie to me all you want, but that doesn’t mean I’ll fall for it.’”
Musically, I Want the Love I See in Movies marks a notable evolution for Zenaro. Drawing inspiration from the pop-rock sounds that dominated the 2000s, the EP embraces driving guitars, melodic hooks and emotionally charged performances.
Zenaro’s I Want the Love I See in Movies is not about finding perfection. She embraces imperfection and the lessons from failed relationships.
Graziella Fraccaroli
LUNA: Thank you for talking to Luna. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar with you yet, what inspires your artistic style and sound?
CATARINA: Thank you! It’s an honor. I grew up listening to music, so my inspiration comes from
the artists and songs I was exposed to throughout my life. My parents had a huge influence on the styles and sounds I’m into. They helped shape the music I like, and nowadays I still carry a little bit of that with me, while also exploring new music.
LUNA: Your newest single “Lie, Lie, Lie” is direct and confessional. What did you want to explore and capture with this track?
CATARINA: I love writing about personal experiences; I believe it brings depth to the song and its lyrics. After going through a relationship that was full of lies and distrust, I thought there was nothing better to do than write a song about it. I believe music can be part of the healing process and help us understand a situation. It helped me a lot during that time, and I hope it can help other people who are going through similar situations as well.
LUNA: You are about to release your newest EP and huge congratulations! What initially inspired the creation of the track, and what ideas, emotions, or experiences were you channeling while bringing it to life?
CATARINA: Thank you! It’s been six years since the release of my first EP, so I felt it was time for a new project. This time, I wanted to focus on the relationships I’ve had over the past few years — both platonic and romantic. There was so much to write about! In my songwriting, I like to focus on friendships as well. I believe there is so much to say about these types of relationships. Sometimes, they can be even harder than a romance!
Anyways, as I was writing songs on these topics, I started noticing that all of them were about failed relationships, which made me feel a little sad. That’s why I decided to call the EP, I Want the Love I See in Movies. After revisiting all of these experiences, I came to the realization that I just wanted something “perfect,” like what we see in the cinematic universe.
LUNA: Your forthcoming EP embraces a 2000s-inspired pop-rock sound. What initially drew you toward that musical era?
CATARINA: I usually don’t go into songwriting with a specific sound in mind; the songs just tend to turn out more pop-rock-oriented. I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock because of my parents, so my childhood was filled with Van Halen, Kiss, Bon Jovi and U2. As I got older, I started discovering artists on my own, and I guess that mixture of influences inspired me to embrace this pop-rock sound. The artists I listen to have a huge influence on me and my music.
I also love Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, Olivia Rodrigo, Lizzy McAlpine, and I think I always come back to them when I write songs. Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Julia Wolf, Turnstile, Charli XCX and Audrey Hobert, so I guess my music has a little bit of all those artists mixed together.
LUNA: How does this EP represent your growth as both a songwriter and an artist?
CATARINA: I believe this EP contains my most mature songs yet, and they are more specific than ever. I love bringing real-life details into my songwriting; it heals me as a songwriter in a way, and I also think it makes the experience much more intimate and special for the listener. I love using music as a form of connection, and that is one of the things I hope to achieve with these songs.
LUNA: What do you hope listeners who have experienced similar situations take away from the track?
CATARINA: I hope it gives them hope. These songs were a form of healing for me, so I want them to know that it is perfectly normal to suffer, but everything turns out okay in the end. We can move forward with our lives, and when we need a moment to cry and feel a little sad, we have these songs to keep us company.
LUNA: Do you have a personal favorite song from the EP — one that feels closest to your heart or most revealing of who Catarina Zenaro is right now?
CATARINA: It’s so hard to pick a favorite because they are like children to me, so it’s like choosing your favorite kid. I think my favorite right now is “Twenty Two.” I love how this song captures the feeling of going separate ways from someone and having to accept that they are no longer part of your life, while knowing that you will always carry a part of them with you.
LUNA: How do you hope listeners — especially your femme audience — can connect with or find power in this new era of music from you? What emotions or messages do you want to leave with them?
CATARINA: I hope they can connect with the feeling of being a girl going through life while trying to understand love.
LUNA: What is fueling your fire right now that’s pushing you into this new era of your career?
CATARINA: I always look forward to the release of new music because, once I share it with the world, the songs are no longer just mine. They are out there for anyone to listen to and relate to in their own way. That is always very exciting and is definitely fueling my fire.
LUNA: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like that you would like to share with Luna?
CATARINA: I’m feeling very fulfilled and thrilled about what’s to come! I’m so happy to be able to talk about my music and share a little more of the process with the world. I hope the rest of the year is filled with new listeners, people connecting with my music and live performances.
Graziella Fraccaroli
