You have a project coming out soon called โthisiswhatyouwanted,right?โ. What can you tell us about it?
I’m super excited about this because I’m taking a new approach to how I make music and trying new styles. I’ve been told I make very niche type music so I wanted to basically show I can make “trendy” music and not loose who I am and still be myself. Plus I kind of wanted to experiment with sounds to see how I can still take the unorthodox approach while catering to the ears of modern day music listerners. In a sense it’s freeing to me so I’m just deciding to see where this takes me.
Do you identify as alternative? What does being alt mean to you?
In a sense I do, I’ve always been ‘on the fringe’ so to speak. Eccentric. Or creative as people would say. I identify with alt or punk/emo type labels not so much for the aesthetic but the morals and messages that it stood for. Going against oppression, liberating of the human spirit, and just the freedom to be your own person. To live and love how you want and create your own meaning for your life.
What would you say inspires you?
That is a tricky question… it changes. Sometimes a song inspires me. Or a Studio Ghibli film can make my heart move in a certain way; the way the clouds move or how a nature scenery can look. At the moment I think now its my friends and loved ones, seeing them live and make their way through their own worries and challenges and still make it look so graceful and effortless. They’re acceptance of me and the patience they show me inspires me to keep trying as well and to enjoy the simple things in life. To remember why I chose the things I do and how much I love doing them.
Youโve said that someone can learn all about you from watching or reading Nana. Exactly what did you mean by that? What about the show speaks to you/ inspired you?
Nana Osaki’s dreams, her fierce independence/determination, and also how she loves very deeply to the point it scares her. I relate to all of it. Plus I’ve always wanted to sing in a band as well, which has yet to happen yet but I haven’t given up on that. The story to me shows how complex the human spirit can be when facing doubts, love, insecurities and fear and still deciding to keep trying and keep fighting despite it all. To rise despite our own shortcomings and pitfalls. Plus the girl can dress! Fashion icon of my teen years ^_^
Osaki or Komatsu? Would you say youโre a fan of Ai Yazawa?
Osaki! And I am definitely a fan! I love a lot of her work: Paradise Kiss, Princess Ai, and Nana are my top 3 by her. I hope she makes a return to publishing soon.
One of Alt Darlingโs main missions is to provide representation to Black and other POC alts. Would you say you had that growing up?
There were few and far in between. Like Scary Spice from Spice Girls for example or Lenny Kravitz. Even then it was like we only got the ‘token black person’ when we’ve always been involved in things, creating trends, and being trailblazers that the world followed after. Even the eccentric artists like Erykah Badu fit in the alt catergory in the 90s but she quickly got shuffled into the neosoul/afrocentric category when she was just being herself.