A dark song with memorable vocals which could be in the opening theme of a crime series, accompanied with water-themed visuals. Until that happens, have a look at our interview with AKA me below, because great things are coming from her in the near future!
Describe your sound in three words please!
confrontational, youthful, nostalgic
Would it be safe to assume that eros started with this delicious chord progression? Tell us a few things about your creative process!
It is super safe to assume that! I wrote the progression in winter 2017 after taking a class about non-tonal music theory. There’s sort of a phenomenon within post-tonal music that if you listen to something enough your ears adjust and discover harmony. I like the idea of forcing harmony that is unsettling and letting a chord progression be drenched in tension. I didn’t want the listening experience to be passive, I wanted the song to grab you by the collar and get up in your face. One of my favorite things to do in music is take an idea that has a lot of emotional tension and contrast it with something chipper, frilly and innocent-sounding. That doesn’t always work, but when it does I find it very fulfilling.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
I wish I could tell you. With the pandemic eliminitaing any opportunity to play live music it’s hard to say. At the moment I like writing music more than playing it because I’m able to be imaginative and playful in the process. There’s so much freedom when you’re creating in your bedroom. Writing music is the catalyst to performing live; music always begins in an intimate, spontantaneous way then eventually gets shared. The “high” I experience from performing music comes from the vulnerability which starts with the song.
There are aspects to both of them that are extremely fulfilling. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the music I’ve written transcends in a live context, but I’m also like: “how the fuck am I going to play this live.” Meanwhile, it’s been really nice having time to focus on how I want to visual represent my music and aesthetic through music videos and cover art.
You have studied music for many years, which must have been a demanding process. Was there a time where you felt you wanted to leave it all and do something else?
There have been times where I’ve considered leaving it. I would romanticize the idea of doing something else with my life, thinking the grass is greener. One time I had a friend tell me “no matter what you do it’s going to be hard work so you might as well do what you love.” I try to remind myself of this frequently in order to stay committed to my music. I’m at a point in my life where I’m still understanding how music school has informed a lot of my musical experiences, perspectives, and goals.
What is your favorite album of the past year?
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but one that I really gravitated towards was “Modus Viviendi” by 070 shake. She talks about love and infidelity in a way that’s really genuine and potent. She expresses heartache from a place of peace and acceptance that I find really strange, but also captivating. Highly recommend! “Fetch The Bolt Cutters” by Fiona Apple was another record that really hit this year. Her performance is super unapologetic and confident. I like that she is so unedited, raw and honest. She sounds like she’s at a point in her life where she could care less about what people think of her and her music. It’s really cool.
Who would make a dreamy collaboration?
McDonald’s and AKA me
The previous year has been very productive with you releasing many singles. What are your plans for the near future?
I’m releasing a new single called MAYBE YOU SPIRAL that I made with my friend and collaborator, Heather Rivas in April! It’s a new wave pop track that will be accompanied with a sick music video (directed by Jasmin Riedel) that I’m super hyped to share. After that I’m going to take some time to put write and produce an album, if not an EP. We’ll see…
Thanks AKA me!
Follow AKA me
Youtube/Instagram/Soundcloud
Listen to AKA me and other artists we feature in our spotify playlist Dark Chocolate
Secret Eclectic 