Meïa: the songwriter who keeps starting over, from Barcelona to New York to London
Some people move to a new city once. Meïa Santiago has done it three times, and every time she has turned the move into music. Trained in jazz in Barcelona, the Catalan singer-songwriter spent eight years building a career in New York, and she has now started again in London. Her story has been told by Films Infest (New York City), the festival whose awards nights she hosted for four years.
A song that opened the door
Her move to New York began with a single song. Be Gentle, My Love won Best Piece of Music at the Aphrodite Film Awards in 2018, and that recognition took her from Barcelona to the city where she would spend the next eight years. There she worked with Morris Hayes, Prince’s longtime keyboardist and musical director, who produced her singles I Can’t Stay Away From You, Sexappeal and Love Is a Rose. Sexappeal was named Pop Song of the Year at the LDM Music Awards in 2025.
Her producer describes her like this:
“Meïa is a gifted and dedicated artist who has consistently pushed the boundaries of her artistry...”
Music, classrooms and a stage of her own
New York was not only about recording. Meïa sang at City Winery, Joe’s Pub and Rockwood Music Hall, was selected for Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in 2024, and wrote the score for the play Fantastic Mr. S. At the same time, she taught music, arts and Spanish in the city’s public schools, sharing with children the passion that had brought her there.
For four years she also hosted the NYC Films Infest awards ceremonies, singing at each one with pianist Hayley Lam. The festival describes her as a generous artist with strong human values, and she remains part of its team.
Starting again, as a foreigner
Her new EP is called Foreigner, and the title fits a woman who has made a home in three countries. Her first concert in London will be on Sunday, January 10, 2027, at The Dublin Castle in Camden: a new beginning for an artist who has never been afraid of one.