Hello and welcome one and all to another delightful snippet into the artist psyche, we go deep into the thick of it in this feature with the sensational Ariana Fig in this instalment of Beneath the Surface. So sit back, relax and enjoy!
What would you say first sparked your interest in music/who inspired you to make music?
When I was about three years old my older brother was five and my parents asked if he’d be interested in learning an instrument. He picked the guitar and something in myself got so jealous. I wanted to be cool like him and learn an instrument which I voiced to my parents. So they brought me to the music store and let me run free. I was drawn to the violins as there was a kids show I watched at the time called Timothy Goes To School where this character named Yoko, who was a cat, played violin. My dad suggested guitar and my mom suggested piano but I was set on the violin. They put me in lessons and over the years I stopped sounding like a dying animal and started to sound more like I was playing actual songs. I was amazed I could make a sound, that I had the ability to make or play a song.
How would you describe the music you are currently creating?
I’d describe it as explorative. I don’t ever want to be pinned down to a certain genre or sound – I like exploring different sides to myself. Lately I’ll try to write down the most obscure and quick-witted things to say that I would never put in a song, and force myself to just go with it. Insults, prayers, how to’s they all seem stupid to put in a song but it’s like i’m rewiring my brain.
What does your creative process look like?
one word. messy.
my creative process is never the same for any song. Sometimes I could write on a guitar and have a full song idea ready to go in fifteen minutes, other times I write a beat and play with lyrics for months before I’m satisfied. Or I have a piano melody I think would sound good as a vocal melody so I have to think of lyrics.
It’s all pretty independent though up until the recording process. I record a demo in my room and send it to Ben Heffernan (producer) and usually that guides me in the right direction.
Who would you most like to collaborate with? (let’s send it out to the universe and make it happen!)
Omar Apollo or Harry Styles
What is the one message you would like to send out to your fans?
I’m learning a lot of new things right now. Musically and personally. I think I’d like them to know that it’s never too late to teach yourself something new. I’m currently teaching myself to learn
the drums for the first time in my life – and it’s definitely showing me more about myself and my lack of patience.
What’s your top tip to rejuvenate your creativity/get over a writer’s block?
My best tip for when you feel like you aren’t creative or you have writer’s block is to just not write. Spend some time alone, for a while. A few days, a few weeks, a few months. Creativity isn’t a constant in our lives and to drain yourself trying to always be creative isn’t healthy in my opinion. Experiences are what we pull from and it’s okay to take breaks and actually go out and live for a while.
What’s next for you, what do we have to look forward to/ what are you currently working on?
My sophomore EP will be released in December of 2022. The project has been funded by FACTOR Canada and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. I’m working on that at the moment, still writing and recording. But mainly I’m planning a lot more live shows for the year so stay tuned for that.