An Interview with Kristina Menissov

A beautifully eclectic and pop-soaked new single from Kristina Menissov manages to deliver such lush storytelling and purpose along with unique production, soulful vocals, and cultural flair, all rolled into one track that really hits a particular way.

"Her Story" is the name of the track, and it's called this because the song gets into detail about how people's stories are left behind at times.

It delves into the importance of who a person is, what they do, and the stories that they brandish. I found this to be quite mesmerizing, simply because it's important not to forget your own stories and the stories of others.

I took this in a personal way, especially in terms of thinking back down my timeline.

My family history goes pretty far, as all of ours do, and listening to this song lets me remember stories of my grandmother, who has since passed.

This was such a connective element of the song, and I feel like that's part of what it's about.

It's about just not letting people be forgotten. It is about their stories, of course, but it's also just about the people themselves. Let's not let those people be forgotten.

I love the powerful message and sentiment behind the track, and she really puts it out there in such a unique way.

This is a song that blends genres together seamlessly. It does have that pop coding, but it's got a unique beat to it.

The beat really adds a particular drive to the song, giving it a forward-moving flow while also hitting with a little bit of energy.

All kinds of vocals are used like instruments throughout the track, almost in a percussive sense at times, and as the song unfolds, more instruments come in, and it grows.

You have guitars that start showing up, the beat gets a little bigger, and the whole thing feels almost like reggae at a certain point.

Again, it's bending these genres and in doing so, she's sort of shaping her own sound.

There is a great part where it sounds like a group of kids singing a verse, which is really cool, and it adds this unique depth to the song that you didn't expect.

It's definitely a track that gives you some of what you didn't expect, but I love that about it.

It's got surprises around its corners.

Her vocals are so smooth, sort of silky, and she's just got this addictive, almost warm tone to it.

She pulls you in with her voice, but the song itself provides this great sort of mood for those lyrics and her vocals.

I love how the song branches out in different directions and does so with such a natural form.

This was beautiful, and in a way, it was elegant.

There is a sort of graceful approach to this whole thing, and the song is completely balanced in terms of its dynamics.

Nothing is overwhelming. Everything is balanced well. It still keeps to that pop underbelly at all times, but on the surface, there are so many more instruments and vocals happening that it's not your standard pop song whatsoever.

It leans towards neo-soul, World, pop, and even R&B.

It's completely refreshing and outside the box, but most of all, it provides personality and character.

I think that is one of the more important aspects of the entire thing.

It is that personality that you attach yourself to. It is that message that you comprehend and connect with.

Kristina is an outstanding storyteller in general. She articulates her words so that things click in your mind.

This was pretty impactful, still a bit light-hearted in a sense, but definitely had that heavy-handed message at the same time.

Beautifully woven, brilliantly constructed, and seamlessly diverse, this is a single that you absolutely should not miss.

Once I listened to it, I knew I wanted to chat with her. I wanted to find out where the song came from and what might be coming up next, so that's exactly what I did.

While you listen to this track, have a read through of our interview with Kristina Menissov below, and don't forget where you heard this first.

Hello Kristina! “Her Story” was a gorgeous single that took elements of pop and brought them together with brilliant production and style. It was driving but smooth! What is the track about?

Thank you, Buzz Slayers that truly means a lot.

Her Story is a very emotional and intentional record for me. It’s about remembrance, identity, and the importance of not letting real stories fade over time. The song was inspired by women whose lives were lost in tragic circumstances, and I wanted to approach it in a way that felt human, not political.

At its core, it’s about making sure that names are not forgotten.

There are some amazing approaches to this song. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

My influences range from Maria Callas to Whitney Houston.

From classical music, I learned discipline and control. From artists like Whitney, I learned emotional delivery and connection. I’ve always been inspired by artists who combine strong vocals with storytelling and create a full atmosphere around their music.

Did you work with an outside producer on the track?

Yes, I worked with Andrew Lane and Miguel Palmero on this record.

It was a very collaborative process, but everything was always centered around the emotion and message of the song. From the production to the vocal delivery, every detail was approached with intention, making sure the story remained at the core.

There is also another version of Her Story that I created in collaboration with a talented singer, Tamara Kumbula. She wrote and performed her own verse about Breyonna Taylor’s tragic story, which brought a new perspective and added another emotional layer to the record.

We also released a lyric video for that version, directed by July Fill, which was developed in a very symbolic and visual way, almost like an extension of the story itself. It allowed us to express the message not only through sound, but through imagery as well.

Where was this recorded?

The song was recorded in Los Angeles at Drew Right Music Inc.

Do you find that you often pull lyrics from life events or experiences?

Absolutely.

Sometimes it’s directly personal, and sometimes it’s based on stories or moments that stay with me. But it always comes from something real. I think people can feel the difference when something is honest versus when it’s just written to sound good.

Are you doing any live performances or touring in support of the single?

Yes, performing live is very important to me, especially with a song like Her Story, because it creates a completely different level of connection with the audience.

Recently, I performed as part of the artist collective PG 16 Nation alongside Lexi Rabe and Cansel Corduk, who I collaborated with on our song Crown, at Universal Bar and Grill. The show was a great success and really reinforced how powerful it is to share these moments live.

Following that experience, we’ve decided to expand and take this energy on the road. We’re currently planning a high school tour for the upcoming school year, which I’m really excited about. I think it’s important to bring music and these conversations directly to younger audiences in a real and engaging way.

There’s a lot coming, so definitely stay tuned and follow me on socials  you don’t want to miss where we’re heading next.

Now that this is out there, what is coming next for you?

I’m excited to explore contrast in my next releases.

Alongside meaningful records like Her Story, I’m also working on more high-energy and visually driven songs like It’s Summer, Workdat, and Lights Camera Action. It’s about showing different sides of my artistry while keeping everything connected through a catchy beat and a cinematic vision.

The lyrics video for this one was really visually enticing! Did you have a hand in the creation or ideas for this?

Yes, visuals are a huge part of how I express my music, so I’m always involved in the creative direction.

For this lyric video, I wanted something symbolic and layered, something that reflects time, memory, and presence. The visuals were designed to feel almost like a moving piece of art that supports the emotion of the song. 

I believe July Fill understood the theme perfectly and brought that vision to life.

Are you already preparing new material now?

Yes, always. 

I’m constantly creating and developing new ideas. Honestly, my relationship with my songs sometimes feels like that meme where someone is walking with one person but looking back at another, same with me the moment I fall in love with one record, I’m already being pulled creatively toward the next one.

That’s just part of how I create… I’m always evolving and chasing the next feeling.

What would you want to say to fans of the music before we go?

I just want to say thank you for listening and for truly feeling the music with me.

Every stream, every message, every moment of connection means more than people probably realize. I don’t take that for granted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDYdeH4v7BiTA&v=YdeH4v7BiTA

SPOTIFY

INSTAGRAM