From Portugal to the Big Apple: Lotty Carrington’s Journey to Find her Voice

In the bustling heart of New York City, 18-year old Lotty Carrington is crafting a musical identity that bridges continents, generations and genres. Currently studying at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, this Portuguese-born artist brings a fresh perspective to R&B and pop, informed by a rich musical heritage that spans from Bossa Nova to jazz standards.

“Since I was young, my parents always exposed me to music,” Carrington reflects, settling into our conversation. “I really loved Bossa Nova, which is mostly Brazilian music but still within our Portuguese cultural range. Growing up, I was exposed to several genres, but I was also introduced to R&B and jazz. Frank Sinatra is my idol - I love him with all my heart.”

Musical Origins in Portugal

Her early exposure to music was not limited to listening. Attending British and International schools in Portugal, Carrington found herself drawn to theatrical productions that incorporated both Portuguese culture and international influences. She laughs as she recalls a story her mother often tells: “I remember being very young, and my older brother could be in a school play. I would just run to the stage and sing along. From then onwards, I asked my parents for singing lessons.”

Now with six released songs under her belt, including her latest single “Generations,” Carrington is establishing herself in New York’s competitive music scene. The move from Portugal to New York has been more than just a geographic shift - it’s opened new creative possibilities.

Carrington considers herself more of an R&B and pop singer, but she’s still finding herself. Since moving to New York, she’s discovered it’s nice to write songs from other people’s perspectives. This is the focus of her upcoming releases.

Carrington’s Latest Single

Her latest single, “Generations,” tackles a theme close to her heart: modern love. “It’s about love in my generation and the fact that I don’t believe they know what love is,” she says with a passion that belies her youth. “My parents have been together since they were 14, and my grandparents since they were 16. I’ve had examples where love grew from a young age, and nowadays, I don’t feel like people hold on to partners for that long. This generation takes love for granted.”

When asked about the challenges of modern dating, Carrington points to technology as a double-edged sword. With phones and apps it is easy to interact with anyone. Everything is behind the screen. Texting someone, whether it is a nice or cruel message is low stakes because you are completely protected by a screen. The effort just isn’t there anymore.

The cultural differences between her homeland and adopted city have provided rich material for her songwriting. “Coming from Portugal, where our families are our whole life, I feel as though the US is completely different,” she observes. While Carrington may not share her classmates’ values when it comes to family she always puts her family first and can appreciate different perspectives. One aspect of the US culture she appreciates is the open-minded nature of most New Yorkers.

Who inspires Carrington musically?

Musically, Carrington draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, with a particular fondness for 90s R&B. “I’m inspired by Amy Winehouse, Usher and Macy Gray,” she says, rather than more mainstream choices like Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston. “Adele is another huge inspiration. Even Bad Bunny’s new album inspired me a lot - there are different details from each genre that I love.”

As for breaking out as an artist in 2025, Carrington is taking a balanced approach between traditional and modern promotional methods. “I’m clinging onto being Portuguese and living in the US,” she explains. “I enjoy sharing my perspective of life on social media with all these changes.” She also maintains an active presence in New York’s jazz club scene, regularly performing at open mics and collaborating with fellow musicians.

For the latest single, Carrington embraced the collaborative spirit of the New School, working with students from various departments - fashion, media and music - to create the music video. Navah Colella was executive producer on the music video for the single. Colella was able to bring the team together because of the creative community at the New School. “The song just screams New York because of the big city vibes." says Carrington.

What sets Carrington apart?

Looking ahead, Carrington is focused on building her audience organically through singles rather than rushing into an album. Today’s musical audience prefers more bite-sized singles and Carrington has plenty of stories to tell - one single at a time.

With her old soul sensibilities and modern artistic approach, Lotty Carrington represents a new generation of artists who honor their roots while forging their own path. As she continues to develop her voice in the city that never sleeps, she is proving that sometimes the best way to move forward is to remember where you came from.