Singer Aarifah has something fragile, perhaps vulnerable, in her voice. She can deliver a song in which every word has a bite to it, like on her latest release, Anyway. The multi-disciplinary artiste creates songs that are obviously personal and there is a sense of hope and heartbreak.
The Nexa Music 2019 finalist made her debut with Now She Knows in 2022 and has since kept busy. When she is not working on her music, she has an indie rock band to work with — Long Distances with musicians Apurv Agrawal and Zubin Pastakia. Aarifah also made her Hindi debut with a feature on Kanishk Seth’s Jahaan Pe Dil Hain that released in March 2023.
Here’s more from Aarifah, who for Anyway designed the artwork — inspired by re-imagining the bed as a beach — in Art Attack style to pay homage to her first true love, DIY arts and crafts.
The latest release is titled Anyway. Can you share a bit about what inspired the song and how does it connect with the other releases you have had this year?
The inspiration behind the song was to document how despite experiencing heartbreak, keeping our hearts open to love will eventually heal it. But retrospectively in connection to Now She Knows also amused at the beating a single heart can take in general. The ‘she’ realises how things work now in Now She Knows, Anyway, There’s No Stopping Me which will be my third release.
You have designed the artwork for Anyway. How important is it for you to be in control over the entire creative process — from making a song to the artwork to perhaps even the promo pictures?
Right now it is a little important as I want to enjoy the process of experimentation and discovery of my artistic identity. After a few attempts, I’ll know my aesthetic better and then it would be a dream to work with a team and collaborate.
Sunshine, clouds, friends, loneliness. the environment play a role for an artiste. How does it feel to put out intimate thoughts in the public space?
It’s always a struggle. But my music is therapeutic to me and so it’s a struggle I take head-on!
How much has life changed since being a Nexa Music 2019 finalist?
I’ve discovered my artistic persona, working on being as comfortable on stage, themed sets and much more. The biggest learning is to be supportive of everyone here because every musician/artiste that makes it is a win for us all.
You also have an indie rock band called Long Distances. How would you describe the way you approach music for the group versus what you put out as a solo artiste?
I usually write intertwining parts where the dynamics of how I sing/play reflect what I’m trying to emote and build a story from things as random as a rhythmic melody I hear in passing or a phrase I connect with. So there’s some processing time where I get into the details of a song of mine. But with Long Distances I work on the lyrics and melody parts after some arrangement has been already created by Zubin Pastakia and then if inspiration hits, taking it in a new direction, I share it with the band and we collaborate on our ideas together!
Who inspired your music taste the most? And what kind of music did you grow up on?
Billie Eilish and Hayley Williams’s solo albums were real defining moments of inspiration for me. It made me more comfortable with celebrating my individuality. I grew up on a little bit of everything with Vengaboys, MLTR, the Beatles, Gypsy Kings, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, Pink. I can go on….
What is the most underrated album you keep listening to?
Oh No by Ok Go, Monkey Business by Black Eyed Peas have some banging tracks that aren’t widely popular.
We keep hearing that AI will take over everything. What does AI mean to you as a musician and do you think it will ever replace anything?
I love AI. I think it has a valuable role in visualising things that we can’t even begin to comprehend, there are always pros and cons to every new bit of technology’s arrival but on my part, I’ve explored it to create art direction references for my own work. So I’m curious about how it would make the process of work smoother. With respect to it replacing things, it might definitely be used in music, but humans have human experiences, perspective, memories and opinions that are irreplaceable. Analogue still exists for a reason.
What’s next for you as far as new music goes?
Keep creating the opportunities to grow whether by means of collaborations, releases or otherwise. But more specifically one single (or more time permitting), an EP with Long Distances and a couple of collaborations busy baking in the oven.
What’s your favourite album of the year so far and also, a film that you recently enjoyed watching?
This is Why by Paramore is my favourite album of the year. It just slaps on all aspects. Lyrics, songwriting, arrangement, production, performance, storytelling, visual direction and now tours just everything. And I watched Hidden Figures a few days ago.
How many unread text messages do you have? Who do you try to avoid the most?
Haha… a few, I honestly don’t try to avoid anyone, I just try to avoid being on my phone in general!