Before the pandemic, we shot some questions back and forth with rapper ARIA. We’ve finally been able to rescue the material from a former staffer, here it is in full:
Cougar Microbes: What time did you wake up today? Was it out of choice or necessity?
ARIA: 2 pm, by necessity.
CM: Describe ARIA to the uninitiated?
A: Birth name, no gimmicks!
CM: How have you been killing time on the road, any hobbies?
A: I am still in college, so my commitment doesn’t allow me to tour yet
CM: What have been your favourite venues to play? Any Venues you hated?
A: SXSW, absolutely loved the vibe! I love every venue that I play at
CM: Is there a song you are simply sick of playing?
A: Never, I love every song that I make
CM: What is the songwriting process like for you. Are able to write on the road or do you do this in your off time?
A: I write all day, every day, My goal is to pen at least 1 song a day.
CM: What is your favourite track and why?
A: Every Kanye West track. He is the G.O.A.T
CM: If you could record any cover what would it be?
A: I try to stay away from covers, not sure if there are any I would consider
CM: Do your songs go through many revisions via demo recordings?
A: Absolutely, I am a perfectionist, so everything has to be absolutely perfect, I will go back and forth for days/weeks sometimes
CM: What came first, the lyrics or the melody?
A: Usually it’s the lyrics unless I hear a beat that speaks to me or sometimes they will come together (while I am in the studio with a producer)
CM: What are your views on autotune?
A: When I was younger, I played around with it. But once I found my voice, I stay away from any autotune. But I find absolutely nothing wrong with it.
CM: Any other band/bands from your local scene we really should know about?
A: Too many to name, but Whatever We Are is an extremely talented bunch of artists
CM: What is the most flattering thing you’ve read about yourselves?
A: It’s not really read, it’s more about what I accomplished, which is having a song get placed on the global shazam chart.
CM: What was the first record/tape/cd you ever bought?
A: The Slim Shady LP
CM: What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
A: Every Young Thug song
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