Singer-Songwriter Aiela Angela is bringing her unique and fresh sound to the pop scene, taking a wide range of influences from the likes of Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Rihanna, her career is on an upward trajectory. We had the opportunity to speak to this rising star about her music and latest single ‘ Baby I Know’.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Firstly, for readers who are unfamiliar with you and your work, what drew you to the music industry?
I’ve been singing since I was a kid. I vividly remember watching concerts on TV, which I believe ignited my desire in being a singer. Performing on large stages has always been a dream of mine, but I had to put it on hold to pursue a medical career. After a performance at my university, I rekindled my love for music, and I’ve never let it go since. I began releasing my songs and navigating the music industry in 2020.
One concludes there are several influences on your musical style, but which artist has been most influential on your career to date, and why?
Taylor Swift is by far the most influential. Her honest emotions in her songs are what have made her a legend. She motivates me to write songs about almost anything. She inspires me to accept my emotional personality and channel those feelings into something productive, like songwriting. I remember seeing her live concerts on YouTube and witnessing how the audience connects with the words; it’s the kind of connection that is so valuable. That’s the kind of connection I want to build with my audience.
Your track ‘Try Again’ shows your songwriting abilities. You’ve been quoted saying this was written and recorded at home during a time you were feeling at your lowest. How do nurture your creativity, particularly songwriting, or choose material?
I don’t have a standard process that I stick to. When it comes to writing music or creating a sound, I just go with the vibe. I sometimes start with a random line that comes to mind or a random melody that plays in my head; there are no rules in songwriting. I feel that as long as you write the truth, about what’s on your mind and the emotions that go with it, and tell your story, a song will always hit differently.
Congratulations on the success of your debut EP ‘Storyline’. The five interconnecting tracks were furthered with your collaboration with writer Trixie Davantes. Can you tell us more about producing the EP, ‘The Book of Storyline’, and how the collaboration came about?
I found myself writing songs about my previous experiences during the lockdown in 2020. Songs, like images, capture a specific memory at a specific time. I didn’t realize I was telling a story with the songs I wrote until I played them all. When I was planning the release, I reached out to Trixie Davantes, a good friend of mine, to see if we might work together. When I told her about my ideas for the book, she was incredibly enthusiastic about it. She is a fantastic writer who literally created magic with “The Book of Storyline.” We spent a month working on the book before releasing it as a special present for my listeners. I believe the book clearly represented the EP’s backstory.
Please tell us more about your latest project ‘Baby, I Know’.
“Baby, I Know” is a song I collaborated on with producer Onzieb. It’s a track that portrays the story of a girl returning to her hometown and driving around the spots where she used to hang out. These sights bring back memories for her, and she continues to drive around that town since the memories are like a pit she can’t get out of. With its dreamy and ambient sound, this tune perfectly caught the mood of a car ride. It’ll surely give the listeners that rush of nostalgia.
What other projects are in the pipeline?
Over the last few months, I’ve been working on a few songs. I can’t reveal the project just yet, but I can say that there will be more stories to tell in 2022. Who knows what’s going to happen? It could be a handful of singles or an EP or maybe an album.
Where can readers find out more about you?
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aielaangela/
- Website: https://aielaangela.wixsite.com/website
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AielaAngela
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aielaangelamusic/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ubDCFXvMvLeZm7xCFzPfW?si=9-D8FZpRRQ6R9tb4Hw_jfg
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