Artist Spotlight || Arietta

Get to know rising star Arietta in this week’s Artist Spotlight!

Back in the beginning of the year, an ID Spotlight hit our inbox that was from one Candelaria Alvarado. Usually, these are more geared for fans, and less so DJs, but I found myself diving into her musical productions and falling in love with her sound. Having been involved in the electronic music scene since 2006, well that was her first party at least, Arietta has made a massive name for herself over the years. With a history stemming in the world of jazz, it was no surprise that she quickly picked up music production and DJing. Drum & Bass is her genre of choice, and you should definitely check out the quality vibe she puts out in her sets in the guest mix below. She has recently relocated from Phoenix to Boston, so we figured what better time than now to chat with her about her work and introduce you all to her today!

Stream EDMID Guest Mix 060 || Arietta on Mixcloud:

Congratulations on making a big move from Phoenix to Boston! Are you excited to be exploring a new city?

Thank you! Yes, I’m stoked for all the opportunities that await me in this new playground! I haven’t been out much yet, but from what I’ve researched there are solid events happening all the time. Concerning music, leaving Phoenix was a tough decision because of the amazing community of supportive local DJ’s I’ve built up over the years, but I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to cultivate a network like that out here on the East Coast.

You recently launched the RESIST Project, can you tell our readers about it and why it means so much to you?

The RESIST Project is a series of 3 videos in conjunction with 3 EP’s, to be released in Spring/Summer of 2017 with all the financial proceeds going to various causes and organizations. I’ve built my company, Anima Artist Management as more of a collective of charged artists. A few of us really wanted to bring awareness to the overall current political climate, primarily in the US.

So many of us in the electronic music scene seek it out as an escape. We don’t need to hide. We can cause peaceful change, from our personal lives to worldly issues, by facing them together. If all goes well and the interest is there amongst my artists, I hope to continue this project as a cornerstone to the collective. This first series focuses specifically on three issues that are close to the heart for me, Binary Hertz, and WYGHT: Terrorism, Discrimination, and Environmental Issues.

You can read more about the RESIST Project HERE!

Do you feel that more artists should get involved in helping to change the world or shine a light on issues?

Yes, it’s our responsibility. Activism means communication with those we can reach and make an impact on – in the way that resonates with all parties. As producers, the RESIST project is how we can bring awareness to issues that we believe need continued support, to the community closest to us: the electronic music world. If we don’t bring the message to our audience no one else will.

Arietta — Photo Credit: Jacob Tyler Dunn

An EP is on the horizon as well, are there any details you can share with fans?

There are actually 2 EP’s! My next release will be for the RESIST project called “In The Air”. My focus on this EP is to bring awareness to Discrimination. On the title track, I’m working with an amazing bassist and dear friend Kaveh Rastegar. Of course, there are remixes by Binary Hertz and WYGHT, in addition to my special guests, We Bang x Mister Black. I’m very blessed to be working with all these amazing artists!

My debut EP is still in the works. I’ve shifted focus because of the time demand of the RESIST project and in the interim I decided to go for more of a hybrid sound, incorporating more instrumentals in my tracks. So I’ve released singles, mostly for free to keep the fans happy. You can definitely expect my debut EP before the end of the year.

What is your usual production process like for your releases? Are there any specific motions you go through in the development of a tune?

So when I produce a tune, it’s always fueled my some crazy emotional inspiration. I’ll usually sit down for a 5-8 hour session and bang out most of the content. Once it’s down I’ll go back for some smaller sessions over the next few weeks (…or months,) and finish it over time. I think these episodes are happening more frequently because of all the positive change in my life and I love the amount of content I’m able to get out of my mind – it’s almost therapeutic.

Drum & Bass has been a huge influence on many different artists, who are some names you look up to or draw influence from?

Of course. There are a few pivotal DnB artists that have been at the forefront of my inspirations, most notably is London Elektricity. His artistic success as a producer and musician in addition to his endeavors building Hospital Records are a model of how I can balance my art and business. I appreciate his transparency with his fans and the worldwide family his company has built for DnB.

Where do you see the genre heading in the current electronic music scene?

Well, hopefully forward! I’ve seen interest grow across North America over the past few years, so I’m excited to see where that takes the genre. I especially would love to see more DnB at festivals so I don’t have to travel across the pond every couple of months for a show.

With quite a few years of experience under your belt, not just with electronic music but classical and jazz too, what has been your favorite piece to play or perform?

I’d have to say my favorite piece to perform was one that I did on my undergraduate senior recital. I arranged for my friends and I to have swing at Daedelus’ fallen love, as Kneebody did in their collaboration with the LA beat king. I had a whole jazz rhythm section, and I was on the electronics and bassoon. It was a fun night.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to learn in the music industry?

The most difficult thing was also the most valuable – resilience. I learned real quick that I’d have to continually put it in work and get used to rejection, cause it’s gonna keep coming. We all have passion and love the music, so there’s no use in bringing others down whether you’re a fellow DJ or an audience member. When new artists approach me on how to come up, I always say: support the other local djs, keep collecting tunes, develop resilience, produce music, and make real friends (they’ll be your fans.) That’s how you’re gonna get noticed.