In this edition of City Stories, we sit down with singer-songwriter Andria Sanchez, whose music is rooted in vulnerability, heartfelt storytelling, and intimate experiences. With warm acoustic arrangements and deeply personal lyrics, Andria transforms her emotions and experiences into songs that explore love, healing, self-worth, longing, and the feelings that often remain unspoken.
From discovering her passion for OPM to drawing inspiration from artists she admires, Andria shares the creative process behind her music, including the comforting “Kamahal-mahal” and the recent crowd favorite “Nakaraan.” Through her music, she hopes to create a safe space where listeners can feel, heal, and bravely face their own emotions.
For this City Stories feature, get to know the artist behind the songs, the experiences that continue to shape her craft, and the heartfelt messages she hopes to share with everyone who listens.
For readers who are discovering you for the first time, could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your musical journey?
I am Andria Sanchez, an independent OPM artist from Manila. I aim to evoke a series of emotions in my listeners, including those stemming from love and heartbreak. Music has always been there ever since I was little, but it wasn’t until 2023 that I finally started songwriting and releasing my own music, and I realized that songwriting was one of the best ways for me to express unsaid emotions and also to train and work on my own creativity and style as an artist.
What first inspired you to pursue music and become a singer-songwriter?
The moment I realized that I actually enjoyed writing songs for listeners to resonate to, singing my heart out to express the emotions and message of the song I’m singing, and sharing my own art to the public, that inspired me to continue doing what I love. Alongside this, there were other OPM artists I looked up to when I was just starting. Until today, I continue to dream big and am still deeply inspired by all these in pursuing this path.
How would you describe your musical style in three words, and why did you choose those words?
Describing my musical style in three words, I would say relatable, heartfelt, and intimate. Part of my creative process is intentionally making the lyrics relatable for the audience to capture vulnerability that reflects the listener’s own experiences. I also aim to make my whole performances heartfelt, offering a deep sense of comfort. Wrapped in warm acoustic arrangements and soft, close-up production, my sound aims to create an intimate experience that feels like a personal conversation between my listener and I.
Your songs often carry heartfelt emotions. Where do you usually draw inspiration for your lyrics?
Most of the time, I would start writing drafts of lyrics until I finalize them every time certain emotions of mine are still fresh, since my lyrics are usually based on my own experience. Romanticizing my own emotions helps me get to writing lyrics that satisfy the ideas and visuals of tunes forming inside my head. I sometimes may also get inspired from a certain song or artist I listen to when I am hooked to their sound the moment I am trying to write a new song.
Could you walk us through your songwriting process, from the first idea to the finished song?
Every time I’d try to start writing again, I first focus on forming the overall story of the song I’m writing about. Once that is done, I proceed to drafting lyrics. Once I have enough lyrics, I decide which one will be the chorus, the verse, the bridge, etc. As mentioned earlier, romanticizing my emotions leads to heartfelt and intimate lyrics, which makes the song feel a lot more personal for the listener. Since most of my lyrics are based on my own experience, I usually add a touch of personality or specific scenes to make the song feel more intimate.
Among your released songs, is there one that holds a special place in your heart? What makes it so meaningful?
Among my released songs, “Kamahal-mahal” will always be the one to hold a special place in my heart. Aside from it being the most wonderfully written one, in my own opinion, I find this song to be the most comforting one in my discography, as “Kamahal-mahal” focuses on self-worth, healing, and pure and genuine love.
Your latest release, “Nakaraan,” explores powerful emotions. What story or message were you hoping to share with listeners?
“Nakaraan,” the recent crowd favorite, talks about longing for the past a lot. The concept of healing is intended to be related to this song. There are times when we yearn to visit the past again, wanting to relive memories that are already burried, but the only choice we have left is for those memories to just linger inside our head. As the singer and composer of this song who wishes to be able to deliver messages through my songs, I do hope that a broken person who listens to this song realizes that healing isn’t just about forgetting, but about feeling what you have to feel. I hope that listening to “Nakaraan” helps the listener learn how to bravely face their own emotions.
How has your sound or artistry evolved since your debut?
Since 2023, my sound slowly started to evolve and find its own identity through exploring. Over the years that passed, I tried my best searching for new sounds, trying out new covers, finding different and unique genres, just to find what truly suited my own artistry. Today, I focus more on the folk and ballad sound, whereas I also usually sing classic old songs when doing covers.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an independent artist, and how have you overcome them?
As an independent artist, I’ve faced multiple challenges along the way to getting where I am at the moment. Being an independent artist is undoubtedly hard. With no label or any other more experienced professionals to help and back me up, I am finding ways to learn what is going to be best for my growth as an artist independently with my own resources and connections. Personally, I think the expenses and the hard work behind promotions are the two most difficult parts. Creating art is not cheap. The hardwork, effort, dedication, and commitment you need to have just to bring your work out there is no joke. The sad reality is that all these could lead to a creative mind getting burntout or demotivated. That’s why keeping the spark of passion inside you is important. Without passion, practicality would just make you quit. But with passion, you do it anyway with all your heart and soul because you love what you do.
Are there any artists or musicians who have greatly influenced your music or career?
During 2023, Rob Deniel, a singer-songwriter signed under Viva Records, introduced me to OPM. Soon after, I was introduced to other artists whom I admired, such as Janine, Earl Agustin, Amiel Sol, and more. This was when I started becoming deeply inspired by their work and wanted to be an artist who could create and deliver messages through songs, especially when they are on stage with their mics turned on. To this present day, they remain huge inspirations to my craft.
How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while connecting with a wider audience?
Connecting with a wider audience often comes with the pressure to put on an act, but at the end of the day, intimacy and authenticity build genuine connection far better than performative trends. Through my experience on stage, I’ve realized that balancing my artistic vision with a growing audience isn’t about altering who I am. It’s about inviting people into the “Andria Sanchez” experience. It’s about putting my best foot forward and having fun at all times. As I perform, I try to create a space so personal that every person in the crowd feels like I’m directly speaking to them.
Is there a memorable moment in your music journey that reminded you why you love making music?
In my music career, I have several goals that I am slowly trying to achieve one by one, including playing on my dream stages. In October 2025, I was invited to perform at my alma mater, St. Theresa’s College QC. This was a huge milestone for me because performing here has always been a personal dream. It was such a full-circle moment as I went from watching concerts in that audience to finally stepping foot on that stage and sharing my music. An experience like this reminds me why I love making music and proves that bringing our biggest dreams to life is truly possible.
If you could collaborate with any Filipino or international artist, who would it be and why?
My Dream collaboration has always been with Amiel Sol, a singer-songwriter and one of the standout OPM artists today. Ever since I first saw him perform live back in 2023, I’ve been captivated by his craft already. I believe that our musical styles naturally complement each other, and bringing our sounds together would create something truly beautiful. Since he is someone I look up to, it would also be incredible to see his creative process firsthand.
Outside of music, what hobbies or interests help inspire your creativity?
Outside of music, I really enjoy playing badminton, jogging, and baking. Engaging in activities completely unrelated to music gives me a much-needed mental break and helps prevent burnout. Exploring different outlets in life keeps my days balanced and boosts my overall productivity. Beyond that, staying active supports my health. I also firmly believe that no level of success or achievement matters if you don’t have good health to enjoy it.
What emotions do you hope listeners feel after hearing your songs?
It depends on the over-all story or message of the song, but in general, I do hope that the listener enjoyed listening to it and maybe even found new ways to help express emotions or resonate to, with or after listening to my songs. It really depends on the story and message of each specific song, but in general, I hope listeners simply enjoy the experience. More than anything, I want my music to give people a way to express or make sense of their own emotions, whether that means finding comfort, feeling understood, or just resonating with a feeling long after the final note plays.
How do you prepare yourself before recording a song or performing live?
When it comes to recording, I usually have the full structure and flow of the songs memorized, so that process is fairly seamless for me. Performing live, on the other hand, takes more preparation, though it really depends on the scale and setup of the event. If it’s a gig where I’m singing songs I’ve previously performed, or if it’s an intimate, low-key set, I don’t need a lot of time at all. But for larger events and concerts, or gigs where I’m working with sessionists and need rehearsal time to lock everything in, it requires more preparation. Overall, I take whatever is necessary at each step to ensure I successfully deliver an effective set for the audience.
What advice would you give to aspiring singer-songwriters who dream of sharing their music with the world?
Continue to find reasons on why you shouldn’t stop. And if you ever find a time where you think there’s no reason anymore, remind yourself of the progress you’ve made and how you continue to show up every single time, despite all things that could possibly not align with your dreams. Everything that you have poured into your craft alone, starting from the very beginning of when you chose to chase this dream to where you are now, is a huge achievement already. Great things take time. Keeping the passion alive and waiting patiently for your turn to freely live out your dreams will be worth it at the end.
Are there any upcoming projects, performances, or releases that you’re excited to share with your fans?
I am currently working on a new release. It is titled “Pag-ibig.” Stay tuned as this next song I’m about to release has always been one of my favorites in my unreleased discography.
Looking ahead, what goals or dreams do you hope to achieve in the next few years as an artist?
In the years to come, I hope to keep checking off milestones from my bucket list of dream stages and dream collaborations. I also wish for my community, Selda community, and also other musician friends to get the highest recognition they deserve.
I would love to witness the day all our art will together be seen by hearts who appreciate it. Above all, I pray my music finds its way to the listeners who need it most, connecting deeply with the right audience and growing alongside them.
Finally, do you have a message for your fans and for the readers of City Stories around the world?
To everyone reading this and to my lovely listeners, thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting my music be a part of your lives.
Whether you’ve been here since 2023 or are just discovering my sound today, I hope these songs give you a safe space to feel whatever you need to feel.
Music has always been my way of giving a voice to unsaid emotions, and my biggest wish is that my craft brings you comfort, helps you heal, and makes you feel a little less alone in your own journey.
To anyone out there chasing a dream of their own, keep your passion alive, honor every bit of progress you’ve made, and trust that great things take time. I can’t wait for you to hear what’s next let’s keep dreaming big together.
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