Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Aidan Handel
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
When I was just 3 years old, my older sister joined her school band playing the flute. She absolutely adored it, and I began feeling very jealous! I eventually joined the school band 5 years later playing the Trombone.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
My exploration of music writing and production didn’t really begin until I started Highschool in 2020. During online learning, I started learning how to use Garageband, mostly making covers of Katy Perry songs. I still have some of those old demos, they’re honestly quite funny to listen to. Since then, I graduated this year, upgraded to logic quite a while ago, and i’m finally free into the world to build my career in music!
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My new album Vestige was released in April of 2025. I initially began writing the album in January, with the first song I wrote being the lead single “Meet me Underground”. The album follows a storyline, split into two halves. The first half is a snapshot of the world around me today; billionaires, politics, misogyny, etc. Can you tell I’m an optimist? The second half is about Earth healing and creating a Utopia following the mass extinction of most humans. I’ve done a full breakdown of the storyline and songs of the album on my Instagram and TikTok!
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I love to describe my sound and visuals as something that has woken up on the forest floor or in a swamp. I love natural imagery, and natural fantasy. Although, a more accurate description of my sound is Melanie Martinez meets Aurora, those two are some of my biggest inspirations, i wouldn’t make music without them.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
That’s a hard question to answer. I feel as though I never have breakthrough moments of learning, it’s more of a trickle as I store more and more information in my little brain. I’d say that learning and experimenting with ambient noise, as heard in Vestige, was a big deal to me. It helped tell the story in such a thematic way, and even helped me imagine several music videos which I’ve yet to bring to fruition.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Right now, I use Logic Pro X, splice, and a USB microphone. It’s pretty sad, I know. However, I have just purchased a Rode NT1 Gen5 microphone, as well as a Volt 1 audio interface. I also work off a 2023 14-inch Macbook Pro, which I plug everything into. That’s pretty much all, unless you count the Kawaii ES110 keyboard which I occasionally use as a bluetooth Midi keyboard.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I am absolutely obsessed with the album “Speak For Yourself” by Imogen Heap, which she released independently in 2005. Every single track on that album is a masterpiece, I just hope I can make an album as solid as that!!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I love writing songs that are direct recounts of real events. Some people might think it’s lazy, but I feel really connected to those songs as it allows me to relive moments that I miss.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
When it comes to Vestige, I don’t think I’m necessarily introducing new ideas. That doesn’t mean it’s unimportant, though. I believe that my messages about environmentalism and social justice are super important, and I don’t care how many times we have to perform it, write it, protest it, etc… I just hope that my listeners will walk away thinking harder about the issues we face every day, possibly with a different perspective.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Patience. I’d say I’m not a very patient person, but I find that I can struggle quite a lot trying to write anything. I’ve learned that I can’t force creativity, nor can I force myself into doing things I just don’t have the capacity for.
What is a dream venue or festival you would we love to perform at?
I’d absolutely love to play the Horden Pavillion here in Sydney, Australia. Although, I’d be honoured and giddy to play anywhere, even Europe 😉
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
It’s Imogen Heap again! She is an incredible song writer and producer to boot. If she could co-write and produce a song with me? I would quit music because I’d never make something better in my life. Honourable mentions however include Sia and AURORA, their voices are so unique and both of them have a killer talent for writing.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can find me under Aidan Handel on spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/35lW9TfIKDgcXqGVA7YB2e?si=Csz-DN5UTG2-amPZspSMdA)
or @aid4nhandel on Tik Tok and Instagram
(tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aid4nhandel?_r=1&_t=ZS-91fADqnCAYp
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aid4nhandel?igsh=M3h4MTg1Y3Q5NTYx&utm_source=qr )
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I’m slowly chipping a
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
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