Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Benedicte Bayombe AREIS x Korrieyy
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I’m 33, so I grew up before the internet era. My first audio cassette player was a New Year’s gift when I was 11, and my brother and I had only a few tapes that we kept swapping—drum & bass, techno, and hip hop. I was especially obsessed with Eminem and Tupac. Their energy, emotion, and rawness hit me hard even at that age.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Hip-hop grabbed us early. My friends and I had no equipment—just a borrowed tape camera and a cassette stereo with speakers. We’d record over old tapes and listen to a lot of Linkin Park. We had no idea what we were doing or where it would lead, but it was pure fun and curiosity.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My journey isn’t unique—I started with trip-hop and eventually evolved into trap, hip-hop, and cloud rap. I love collaborating, producing beats, mixing, mastering, and making cover art. This current project is special. I met Korrieyy and 00xarrii on Discord; they picked a few of my beats and recorded four tracks almost instantly. The process felt fast, natural, and honestly magical.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music?
It’s hard to explain in words—you have to listen to it. My sound is emotion, mood, and lived experience translated directly into music.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Don’t overthink it. Don’t overwork it. The simpler and more natural the process, the better. Music is a moment—a feeling. If you vibe with it today, you need to capture and release it before the feeling fades. That honesty is what people connect to.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Just my Mac running Ableton, a bunch of plugins, Arturia Keys, and four pairs of headphones. That’s my whole setup.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
The list is long, but the main ones—the OGs—are Tame Impala and Gorillaz. Absolute legends.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Work ethic, passion, and being willing to create even when there’s no money involved. When you truly love something, you keep doing it for the love, not the reward.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
It depends on their mood—maybe inspiration, confidence, that fire inside, or just feeling good and stylish in their own skin.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music is the language of God. You can share your soul with people without speaking a single word.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
An online festival or digital performance space would be amazing—something global and accessible.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
There are too many to name. I’m open to working with anyone who’s passionate and genuine.
Where can listeners follow and support your music?
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/192g9XmEyO9YB3Jmq18SFB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/areeiss
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Right now, there are so many artists out there that I don’t think too far ahead. I just want to keep improving, creating what I love, and collaborating. If I get paid for it, amazing—but the real goal is growth.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I’m diverse. I’ve made everything from techno and electronic to trip-hop, jazz, and hip hop. If you tune in, you might find something that truly sticks with you.
