D.E.L.T.A.: INTERVIEW


by pankhuri bhutani

photo courtesy of d.e.l.t.a.

Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, D.E.L.T.A. is a music producer and rapper who recently released his phenomenal new single “SYNERGY.” Known locally for his diverse rhyming flow and hard hitting beats, D.E.L.T.A.’s goal through creating and sharing his music is to connect with the human race on an emotional and spiritual level.

We recently had a chat with the talented artist in order to discuss the creative process behind his tracks (including his recent single “SYNERGY”), where he draws his overall musical influences from, and what his fans can expect from his future! 

Hi there. Thanks for joining us on Unclear! How has the start of this year been for you?

D.E.L.T.A.: “Huge action stage for me at the moment. I’ve got a music video on the way, heaps of new tracks in the works, and a few side projects on the go. So really I'm just at a point where I'm trying to get the ball rolling as soon as possible and keep creating.”

You recently released your brand new single “SYNERGY.” Huge congratulations! How has the response been on the track so far?

D.E.L.T.A.: “Awesome feedback all around on the track. It’s been incredible seeing the streams roll in and the reviews have been stellar.”

Kindly walk us through the creative process of the track. Did you face any kind of challenges during the production stage?

D.E.L.T.A.: “I started working on ‘SYNERGY’ around June last year. The beat was something I smashed the bulk out in a day. I used a lot of hardware synth sounds which was great to incorporate live instruments into my creative process. Recording/writing the vocals was definitely the hardest part for me, I trialed about five different versions of the track, working out different vibes/moods and style of flow. Once vocals were done all it took was some last minute edits to the beat and the final mixdown. All in all I’m happy with the version I released, but there is always that little voice asking, ‘What if?’”

Talk to us more about how your experience was like creating this track. What sort of mindset were you in when you initially started working on this song?

D.E.L.T.A.: “This is a huge thing for me. My state of consciousness during the creative process was like riding a roller coaster. ‘SYNERGY’ is a song about love and I wrote it from a deep emotional state. This turbulent period was why I struggled so much with the writing and recording of the lyrics. Trying to capture EXACTLY what I was feeling was a nightmare so I ended up drawing a sort of mood/storyboard and stuck it up in my studio to help me stay on track. My biggest focus really was being able to capture and share my feelings during the recording process, and honestly, some days it felt like trying to bottle up a tornado [laughs].”

What sort of message do you want your listeners to take away when it comes to your music in general?

D.E.L.T.A.: “Connection with yourself, emotionally and spiritually first and foremost. Just be true to yourself, recognize thoughts and feelings for what they are and live that truth day and night, 365 days per year.”

Where do you garner your musical influences from? If given an opportunity, who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

D.E.L.T.A.: “A$AP Rocky, Skepta, and Drake are my three biggest Idols. I love house, old school soul and jazz music, and that tends to shine through with a lot of my creative pursuits. In terms of future collaborations, I’d love to work with Travis Scott or Kendrick Lamar, their creative visions are amazing.”

Lastly, what’s next for you? Anything in the pipeline for the year 2022?

D.E.L.T.A.: “Release the ‘SYNERGY’ music video! After that, who knows? Goal is to have an album/EP in the works by March.”

 

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'LAS VEGAS MAKES ME SICK' / RAVIVE: REVIEW


by lys ziada

photo courtesy of ravive

Ravive is the definition of alt-pop, and it is evidently showcased in her new single “Las Vegas Makes Me Sick.”

In the song, Ravive confronts her feelings about Las Vegas and the association it has with her life. She describes a relationship with someone from the city and how she “was entangled in you and your holy town.” Because of this relationship, she can only now associate Las Vegas with the feelings of being “sick” and “jaded.”

What I like most about the song is how perfectly aligned the intensity of the lyrics are to the intense feeling you get from the synthesizer. This contributing factor is what makes the alternative pop, in alt-pop. The combination of sound and lyrics provide a glimpse into the emotions of the author and her experience with this part of her life. From the verses giving an anxious feeling, to the feelings of nausea and melancholy in the chorus, the composition provides a perfect supplement to Ravive’s story.

If you were into early Halsey or just looking for a new alternative artist to listen to, “Las Vegas Makes Me Sick” is a definite must-listen.

 

'ANNA SUN' / ANNA SUN: REVIEW


by abby crabill

Anna Sun is a New York-based indie pop-rock band who has recently released their self-titled debut EP. The EP genre can be described as a mixture of pop, rock, and emo styles. It features six songs from the group, including titles such as: “Mine,” “What A Shame,” and “Mr. Midnight.”

Anna Sun explores several of the hardships that many people can relate to, expressing through words what many of us have felt. After paying closer attention to the lyrics, a listener is able to hear the heartbreak behind the words, while the music remains upbeat and sunny to create the sounds of a feel good song. It is also clear that the group uses songwriting as a sort of journal for thoughts and emotions. A sense of vulnerability is created as if the artist is sharing thoughts with the listener like they have been personal friends for years.

The romantic sounds of songs such as “Mr. Midnight” and “Weak” clearly express the artist’s feelings and intentions through the lyrics as if they are directed straight at the love interest. There is a strong emotional attachment that can be felt through the lyrics from “Weak,” such as, “But you never really felt that way / when I turned to leave you made me stay,” and “Your love, it makes me weak.” These lyrics are a clear juxtaposition when compared to the quick fling relationship that is described through the lyrics of “Mr. Midnight.” These lyrics describe a much less formal relationship through lyrics like “Just a girl / standing in front of a boy / asking him to / fuck me / don’t worry.” These songs on the same EP create a more relatable view of what it is like experiencing different forms of love and relationships.

Overall, the music is relatable and an excellent mixture of romantic ballads and seductive chords. This EP is a window into the different highs and lows that everyone experiences in life.

 

ARCTIC LAKE: INTERVIEW


by sierra romano

photo by scarlett casciello

Arctic Lake has just released their new single “Breathe,” a very open and emotional song. In this interview, band members Emma Foster and Paul Holliman discuss the importance of making this song and how it fits into their own style of songwriting. The alt-pop duo also have so much more in store for this year, including a lot of new music and upcoming shows. Be sure to check out the “Breathe” music video too. Fun fact: it was filmed in just two takes!

Congratulations on the new single! What was the writing process like for your new song “Breathe”?

Paul: “We had a week in our friend Dan’s studio (his artist project Dan D’Lion is amazing by the way, please check it out), and we usually write in our bedrooms so it just felt great to be in a proper space with a fancy big desk. I started out with the piano idea and Emma was messing around with the melodies and lyrics on top, and it all came together really quickly I think, probably in a few hours. This was before lockdown, and then the production took a lot longer to fine tune and get right, so we’ve had it for a while and it feels great to finally release it!”

The song also has a beautiful music video. Can you explain some of your artistic vision behind it?

Emma: “I think we’ve always been drawn to the simplicity and beauty of one shot videos but I’ve always shied away from them. This time we worked with an amazing team who made me feel really safe and supported to be so front and center. The song is vulnerable and bare and we wanted that to be mirrored in the video. We did it in two takes, so I hope it feels real because I definitely cried at the end [laughs]!”

 

This song is very vulnerable and open. What advice would you give to someone who may be struggling with that?

Emma: “Argh, what a question. I would say I’ve learned that communication is one of the most important things in any relationship and even when it feels like the safest, easiest thing to shut down; try and rationalize your emotions and remember you’re a team. I came from the side that was begging to be let in and not understanding what was happening, but that stuff can’t be forced and the other person needed to process and heal from things without me. Just talk.”

 

What message do you want listeners to take from this song, and from your music in general?

Emma: “We hope that listeners feel something, that it moves them and that they can relate to it. We’ve always just wanted to create connections, to generate feelings. Every time someone shares a personal story with us with one of our songs it’s insane, it’s the reason why we do this.”

 

You’ve released some EPs in the last few years. How do you think your sound has evolved over time?

Paul: “We started off being quite one dimensional I think and a bit confined in what we did, and now we have a bit more freedom in terms of the style of music we make — we still love making slow sad music, but we equally have a great time with more upbeat songs, which is something I don’t think we’d ever even considered doing before. It’s great to have a mix of tempos and subject matters to work with instead of being sad all the time!”

 

Who are some artists that inspire you?

Paul: “We both love everything from 80s pop to techno, so there’s a whole range of stuff really. Emma grew up as a jazz singer and I was a little metalhead, so we’ve been all over the place. I think in terms of direct inspiration for the our music, one of my favorites would be The 1975 for how they’ve managed to progress over the years and still sound like themselves. I’d love for us to be able to do something similar.”

 

Do you have anything exciting planned for this year that you can tell us a little about?

Emma: “We’re releasing lots and lots of music which we’re in love with and have been working on behind the scenes for a long time, so we’re very excited. We’re planning shows and lots of visual elements that feel ridiculously fun and experimental for us, so yeah… lots for you to enjoy and feast on, we hope!”

 

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ERIKA THAM: INTERVIEW


by shelly decaigny

photo courtesy of erika tham

Playing pretend and living a dream. Erika Tham has had the opportunity to do both through her acting and music careers. She is doing what she loves, celebrating her heritage, and working hard to get what she wants in life. She is a creative force and a very interesting woman. We were fortunate to interview Erika, and we are so pleased to share it with you.

You have experience in both the acting world and the music industry. What have you enjoyed most about each?

Erika: “I think my favorite thing about acting is getting to become someone else. Dressing in clothes I wouldn’t normally wear, saying things I wouldn’t normally say etc… you’re getting paid to play pretend! When it comes to music, I love almost every aspect. I think my absolute favorite part of it would have to be performing though.”

What spurred you to transition professionally from acting to singing?

Erika: “I’ve always loved both, but I think it was falling in love with songwriting that really pushed me into pursuing music. Once I discovered songwriting it became all I wanted to do, all day everyday.”

What is it about your single “Admit It” that makes you most proud, and why did you make it your debut song?

Erika: “‘Admit It’ and the rest of the songs on this EP heavily feature traditional Asian instrumentation. Going into making these songs, I really wanted to honor my heritage, so I made it a point from day one to include those sounds. I was excited about the challenge of framing those instruments in a modern pop/R&B structure and behind lyrical content that fits with who I am as an artist. I think that’s what I’m most proud of about ‘Admit It,’ and it’s a big reason why it became my debut single. You can find those themes and sounds translate over to my new song ‘Shhh’ as well ahead of the EP.”

photo by 36neex yoshi uemura

If you could have known one thing before diving into the music scene, what would it have been?

Erika: “Probably how long it takes to perfect the mix of a song. I didn’t realize I’d be on version nine, ten, or eleven of a record before I was finally ready for it to be released into the world.”

Tell us about your unique blend of nationalities and how you connect with your heritage, especially in your music.

Erika: “My mom is Dutch and Ukrainian and my father is Chinese-Malaysian, so growing up I was exposed to an array of cultures and beliefs. I think that made me super open-minded when it came to deciding what I like, especially musically. I like to juxtapose things; soft, sensual vocals over hard, dark beats or, like in this EP, traditional Asian instrumentation with modern pop song structure.”

Where have you traveled so far, and where do you wish to travel in the future?

Erika: “I’ve lived in eight different countries (Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, China, Thailand, Canada, and now America) and been to almost every continent, but I have yet to go to any country in Africa, so that is definitely on my bucket list!”

Which artists and songs have inspired you most?

Erika: “I grew up listening to the Disney renaissance era of music a lot, and I think some of the most incredible melodies can be found in those songs. They definitely inspire me to this day.”

If you could collaborate with three musicians, dead or alive, who would they be?

Erika: “Drake, Pop Smoke, and Nicki Minaj.”

What do you envision for your future and this project?

Erika: “I would love to go on tour and perform the songs on this EP for an audience! Right now that’s the most impending thing that I’m ✨manifesting✨.”

 

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