Having already established herself with a wealth of riveting releases this past decade, LA-based artist ERIEL INDIGO makes her eagerly-awaited return with the pulsing new single 'Rebel Bell'.
Teaming up with Kevn Blvk and Jonny Joon for the release, 'Rebel Bell' makes for a rousing return for the artist at the helm. With its bold and innovative production perfectly complimenting her driven flow throughout, she is returning to the fold with one of her most impressive outings to date here.
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 lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Truly in love? Drums, baby, drums, but piano will always have my heart as well. I have a pretty passionate love affair with all instruments. Whether they love me back is a different story but one of my bucket list items is definitely to become a true multi-instrumentalist & be able to pick up anything & play.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
All of it. I always had an insatiable craving for music in her many forms. My family exposed me to folk music, rock, pop, & disco of the 60's-80's, radio exposed me to Hip Hop & R&B, oldies, & experimental. Theatre brought me to Jazz, blues, brass, & big band, my sister to indie rock, parties & raves to electronica in it's many forms, my grandparents to classical, MTV to the evolution of sound & culture(ye know back when MTV still played music & videos.) I'm just a freak for music, pure & simple. Always have been, always will be.
What was the first album you remember owning?
There I for sure had:
Madonna - Like a Prayer
Michael Jackson - Bad
Sir Mix a lot - Mack Daddy
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I wish I could answer for every genre & decade but for just one I'll go with The Beatles 'Imagine.'
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Cleaning & clearing my space so that everything is in its place & feeling good before calling upon the muses & Gods of music to come play & dance with me. Also if I haven't already written lyrics without music & I'm writing to music then I like to just flow & speak gibberish, let go & see what melodies & ideas come out when I'm not thinking about it at all.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I think I listen to generations of music as a whole more than specific artists. I've been listening to a lot of old school Hip Hop & 60's Rock & so a lot of the amazing artists in those categories. For modern artists, I really like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Jessie Reyez, & K.Flay.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Rage Against the Machine or Madonna.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Writing & making music. Honestly that is by far that is where I thrive & feel alive. Also having the freedom of expression that is innate to artist's role in society; being able to talk about anything & everything, push buttons, build bridges of understanding. That & when the music has truly touched someone's soul or brought some kind of strong reaction or shift within them. That's when I feel like I've done my job beyond my own pleasure & experience; the music has served its purpose.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Marketing, having to interact with social media at all, trying to get music heard as an independent artist in completion with a music industry machine where more than ever before success is bought & paid for & the music that is propped up & promoted most often lacks meaning or substance... In my humble opinion hahaha.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Make the music YOU want to make music you want to make that feels the most genuine to your soul. Pay no attention to what others think you should make or what do you think will be well received by the mainstream.
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ERIEL INDIGO's new single 'Rebel Bell' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.