Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Arewa

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

When I was younger I always sang around the house.  I never knew I had an interest in singing, I just always sang melodies to myself.  I have a vivid memory of me at 4 years old singing what I thought to be Italian opera (I don’t know any Italian so I was making up the words, of course).  The table in my living room had a mirror around the circumference and as I sang, I looked at myself in the mirror, making dramatic facial expressions as if I was performing for a camera.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I attended a middle school that had a performance arts sub school.  I attended middle school the year 6th grade ended in elementary and began in middle school in NYC.  There was an influx of 6th graders in my school that had not been placed in a sub school.  Around the first few days of school we were advised to choose a talent to take for the school year.  I remember wanting to do dance, but I also had an interest in drama and vocal. The list had vocal listed at the top, drama listed second, and then dance was third.  Since it was already in that order I just placed 1, 2 , and 3  based on the order the talents were already in.  Then I ended up in vocal.  I genuinely enjoyed being part of a professional choir, and I began writing songs at age 11.  I still have my first songwriting journal till this day.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

I have been releasing singles that depict my real life experiences. I make music based on my feelings.  Lately my music has centered on relations and self love. I guess I can say my relationship experiences have been influencing me to write songs about loving myself. 

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

AfroPop- it’s pop/dance music infused with AfroBeats rhythms 

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

I learned it is important to go with the flow when you’re creating.  The most authentic sounds often make the best music.  It is better for music to be real than curated. 

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

My phone is essential.  I record reference tracks on logic pro or ableton.  But honestly, my notes app and voice memos app are my essential tools when it comes to the very beginning of creating a song.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I am loving Earn Me by Arewa

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

I literally write about my personal experiences in my music and other forms of my art, such as poetry and playwriting/screenwriting. Almost everything I create is about my real life experiences.  So they’ve influenced my music and artistic vision just from my existence.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I hope listeners learn the power of self love.  I want people to be so in love with themselves that it improves their ability to truly love others. If you heal yourself, you can heal the world.

 What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

I’ve learned that music is truly healing.  It can really be medicine for people. I create in the hopes that people can be healed by my music; whether it makes people want to sing along, dance, or just listen.  I intend to evoke emotion with my sound, and bring out the best from people.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

Coachella Headliner 

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Justin Bieber!!! I was a severe belieber back in the day and it would make my life to have a song with Justin.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

My website is everythingarewa.com. You can find me on all streaming platforms under Arewa, my instagram and tiktok handles are @titiarewa

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

I just want to be an artist. I do not want to be doing anything else on the side, I do not want to be looking for other ways to make money.  This next year I look forward to calling myself an artist knowing I am making an incredible amount of money just doing what I love.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I want listeners to know that I am actually the greatest virgo of all time, no shade to Michael Jackson or Beyonce.