Having already turned out a breadth of dazzling delights this past year, New York-based artist Andrea Turk is back at it once again to deliver her energetic new single 'GP5'.
Bringing back more of that bright and immersive hyperpop aesthetic she is known for, 'GP5' makes for an incredibly fun and lively listen. With its blistering pace, thunderous production, and her own mesmerising vocals at the helm, she is continuing to shine as one of the more adventurous names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most recently.
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What was the first instrument I fell in love with?
I think the instrument I first fell in love with is the voice, though it’s not always thought about as a voice, I think using it as one creates a powerful feeling and hearing people like Adele, who has insane vocals, lead me to fall in love not only music but the songs.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I love all the pop girlies! American music is huge in Indonesia and that was the case when I was growing up there. I remember buying CDs with my mom and just having them on repeat for months in my room, learning on the lyrics and singing them while gaming and doing other kid stuff.
What was the first album you remember owning?
21 by Adele and + by Ed Sheeran. They were constantly on to the point that they scratched out!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
It’s got to be bohemian rhapsody by Queen. I mean, when you listen to that song it’s just showcases how genius Freddy Mercury is and was. I would love to go into his mind and be able to hear how notes and words fall together to make something so unique yet timeless.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
One time I was on the subway and I had an idea, but my phone died, so I wrote the key, solfège, and parts A and B on my arm. I think it’s just taking advantage of inspiration the moment it hits whether it’s through voice memos on your phone or writing little notes to myself.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Well obviously Charli XCX is mother, but I also have always Rina Sawayama, Caroline Polachek, A.G. Cook and other HyperPop artists. I also love enjoying the music of my friends and people around me. I love to consume a range of genres because I think it expands my musical vocabulary.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Once again Charli! I think she’s going to go down as one of the most influential artists of our time. Her musical journey truly enamors me. I look up to how true she stays to herself and her sound. She doesn’t change herself to make her music more perfect to the gen pop, rather she pushes the envelope even more and eventually people get it. She is definitely one of my biggest inspirations and makes me believe in my own art.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Seeing an audience of people connect with the music while I’m on stage is almost indescribable. At that point it’s not just my song, but it’s this beautiful moment of human connection that fills a room. I feel so honoured every time I get to witness that while I’m on stage.
And what’s the most frustrating part?
I guess recently I’ve been struggling with the over saturation of the industry. I find myself in between staying true to myself and having to be a business person. Talent can only get you so far and it’s difficult to not feel pressured to sacrifice my time with my craft to get where I want to be.
And what is the best piece of advice you’ve received as a musician?
I was talking to this Indonesian artist named Tulus, and he said ‘when you think of melodies, when you’re writing about the sky, you want it to feel freeing so that’s why the notes go up, but then when you’re writing about the room suffocating you, the notes are short and get cut up’. We had this conversation and it totally changed the way I write melodies and how I go about songwriting.
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Andrea Turk's new single 'GP5' is out now. Check it out in the player below.