Aria Blèu thank you for reaching out to set up an interview with Nefarious Supply! We are really excited to feature you on the blog this week! So just to get started introduce yourself who is Aria Bléu and what experiences led you down the path to becoming an artist? 

Of course! You guys are amazing, thank you for having me. I’m Aria Bléu, and I’m an up and coming R&B/Neo-soul artist. I’ve been singing for just about as long as I could talk. Music has always been a big part of my life, especially coming from such a musical family myself. I gained my initial fanbase from being on Season 14 of NBC’s The Voice. My time on the show really molded me into a better singer and performer, but it wasn’t until after being eliminated that I was able to find out who I was as an artist and the space I wished to occupy in music. While I was on the show, I needed to uphold a certain tv-friendly image, and that ended up seeping through to every aspect of my life, even down to what I posted on social media and how I carried myself in public. It felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells and through that experience, I realized that’s the opposite of how I want to approach music and my artistry. I want to be unapologetically me. I want to be transparent and expose the hard-to-look-at parts of myself. I want my music to be honest and raw. As an artist, I want people to really see who I am and get to know me through the lyrics I sing. 

Where or what are you representing with your music? What concepts and themes drive the foundational aspects of the creation of your sound? Why are these concepts and themes, if any, so important to you?

I think the biggest theme you can find in my music has to do with the content of my songs and how I approach songwriting. With most of the songs I write, I try to take a specific moment/experience and stretch it throughout the length of the song as opposed to singing in abstractions or generalities. 

For example, the meaning of my songs aren’t typically as abstract as “being in love” instead the song would be about going on a “Joyride” and realizing through the nuances of that ride that you don’t want it to end (hinting at the bliss, fresh feelings of new love). Another example would be “On & On”, where instead of speaking in general terms and feelings experienced during a “break-up” I take it a step further and hone in on that moment when your ex is begging you to take them back, but all you can think about is how they keep going on & on ….. and on & on!

It’s really important for me to take these distinct relatable moments and write a song detailing that experience because I find it resonates so much more with my listeners. In these moments, my fans feel seen and heard and that’s my end goal. I never want to seem surface-level, disconnected, or vague. I want my listeners to know that I’m right there with them and these moments happen to everyone! You’re not alone!

Who inspires you for your sound? Who were the main influences in your life that helped you along the way or maybe even said something in a book or tv show one time that inspired you? Who, if anyone, would you say is a major?

Lauryn Hill is hands-down my biggest inspiration of all time. I grew up listening to her music on repeat, and even in my adult years continued to listen to her endlessly. I’m 100% sure there isn’t one song of hers that I don’t know (super fan, I know). Her tone, her demeanor, and overall sound have been something I’ve studied and loved for years. It’s funny because after I reintroduced myself as Aria Bléu and right before I dropped my EP, Familiar Stranger, I saw a clip of her on IG talking to a crowd during a live performance that really resonated with me. In the clip she says, “this the first time y’all meeting me, don’t think you met me before... and as I grow you're gonna meet me a little bit more, you're going to be exposed to the real me a little bit more … I had to reintroduce myself to everyone I know... yall never knew me, I wanna introduce you to me… I’m just getting to know me.”

This is the exact message I wanted my audience to hear and to digest. Yes, you saw me on The Voice, yes we went to high school together, hell, even college, maybe we worked together, but at the end of the day, you do not know me. I have changed and adapted in ways I didn’t even think were possible during the creation of my debut EP. During that time, I was able to really put myself out there and reopen old wounds for everyone to see. I wanted to start from scratch, lay myself out on the table, and I wanted everyone to receive me only in the ways I’m willing to share. No preconceived notions or projections. Just take what I give and I’ll allow you to get to know me as I get to know myself. 

What would you say keeps your current audience listening and why should people start listening if they haven’t already? What parts of you as an artist do you feel are most attractive to your audience?

I’ve been told on numerous occasions that my music brings listeners feelings of nostalgia. That has been my audience's favorite part of my music -- the way it makes them feel. It’s not gimmicky, it’s not fake, just genuine lyrics, soothing melodies, and warm vocals that bring back memories of R&B’s primetime. My music has drawn comparisons between Lauryn Hill, India Aire, Toni Braxton, etc and people have always told me my deep raspy tone is what draws them in. 99% of my inspiration comes from 90’s Neo-Soul and 2000’s R&B so I probably should expect it, but you couldn’t imagine how flattered I am every time someone loops me into that category. I say all that to say this, if you haven’t heard my music and you miss “real r&b” (not my words, don’t shoot the messenger!), you’ll definitely want to check out my projects because I’ve been told it sounds like I’ve stepped out of a time machine!

Who do each of you listen to on a regular basis? Who are your go-to artists that really strike your creative nerve? Or are simply your favorite artists to sit back? 

I would say my Top 5 go-to artists are Lauryn Hill (obvi), Ari Lennox, Destiny’s Child , Masego, and Amy Winehouse. They all kind of play a different part in how they inspire my own music. Lauryn gives me the warmth, Ari Lennox gives me the silliness, Destiny’s Child the melodies, Masego the musicalities, and Amy Winehouse with the sassiness. I keep them all in my rotation at all times, and no matter how many times I’ve listened to them, it slaps just as hard as the first time. 

You recently just signed a management deal with the start up company Talent Over Clout which is a collaborative effort from R&B Radar and Tom Boy Records, how did that happen and tell us about your experience working with them so far? 

At the end of 2019, I found RnBRadar and instantly fell in love with their playlists and IG page. It seemed like every week I was being put onto a new underground artist! Before I dropped my first ever single, On & On, I sent them a music submission to see if they wanted to collaborate with me and offer promo services. They agreed, saying they loved the song, and that they’d be happy to collab! From there, it was history. The initial support I got from Tommy Banks (Founder of RnBRadar) was unmatched and I immediately knew I wanted to keep him in my circle. As time went on, he continued to repost my music, add me to playlists, set up external opportunities for me, and just loudly support my entire music career without me even asking. He was genuinely invested in my success as an artist. Needless to say, when he offered the opportunity to manage me, it was a no brainer! He had already proved his work ethic and he’s shown his passion for my art; that’s all I needed. I’ve been signed to Talent Over Clout for less than a month and when I tell you the number of doors that have already been opened for me because of it, you’d be amazed. There is so much TOC has been doing behind the scenes to really get me to the next level and into more ears, I just can’t believe we didn’t do this sooner!  

Not too long ago you released your EP “Familiar Stranger” which is an amazing project! So just tell us about it, what inspired the overall sound of the EP, who helped you on the production end of things, and give us a quick walk through for each track? 

Thank you so much! Familiar Stranger is such an important project to me and I’m so glad my introduction into music was something I can honestly say I’m proud of and I didn’t stop working on until I felt it was right. The EP went through many different phases, I often joke that the EP itself is a familiar stranger to the EP I began with. Songs changed, ideas adapted, and ultimately I made sure Familiar Stranger was a project that would properly reintroduce myself to the world. Although I may seem familiar, my journey could definitely warrant me a stranger to some. 

Familiar Stranger in its entirety tells a story about the 5 stages of a relationship gone sour: the honeymoon phase, the impulsive infatuation, the messy break-up, the toxic back and forth, and finally the emotional resolution. At the start of the EP, Joyride is sonically trance-like, playing on the idea that new love can be mesmerizing even while doing the simplest things like going for a long drive. Livening things up a bit, we move onto Mirage which shows us the risque side of new love by tempting my boyfriend (at the time) to sneak away with me and leave everything else behind. In the next track , listeners are met with a jazzy band, upbeat energy, and my way of quickly humbling my recent ex; telling him I see through the facade and know he's only with his new girl, to make me jealous. Mission failed. This upbeat energy is continued into the next track, Reminiscing, where I know I shouldn’t be dealing with my toxic ex, but hey, who else am I gonna call at 3am? Familiar Stranger then closes with my debut single, On & On, where I poke fun at my ex, allowing him to beg for another chance, while all I can focus on is the unconvincing rambling. 

Juan Zeek produced 4/5 songs on the EP (impressive, right!?) and Charlie Heat x Matt Busco produced Mirage. I spent a lot of time in LA and Philly studios with Charlie Heat, writing and recording the songs on my EP. He really helped me with getting my reps up in the studio and getting used to being in that environment. The process of writing, recording, and getting this EP produced was such an eye-opening one that although there were many roadblocks and delays, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

What are some goals you have accomplished so far in 2020 and before the year is over what are goals you hope to achieve? 

Well for starters, I just signed with Talent Over Clout for management and Roc Nation’s EQDistro for distribution, so I’ll say I’m well beyond my expectations here! Familiar Stranger has accumulated over 390k+ streams and has been featured in multiple digital publications, including Lyrical Lemonade and Hype Magazine. My latest single, Theory of You, has been met with overwhelmingly positive praise and has been my most successful release week to date. On top of that, both releases have landed placements on numerous playlists, such as Tidal’s “Rising R&B”, “Sleeping on Gems”, “Lyrical Lemonade”, and RnBRadar’s “R&B Gems.” I’m incredibly blessed to have these kinds of opportunities at such an early point in my career!

As for the rest of my 2020 goals, as long as I continue to make consistent growth on my streaming numbers and steadily increase my fanbase, I’ll be happy! If I had to pick concrete checklist goals, I’d love to perform one of my songs live for the digital music platforms such as, COLORS, NPR’s Tiny Desk, BBC Radio live, etc before the year ended. Any of those would be such an insane opportunity.

For new musicians just starting out what is some advice you would give to them that you wish you knew when you first started? 

I would say surround yourself with people that truly believe in your art and your vision. Don’t get caught up in the idea that someone else may know what’s best for you and their changes will be for the better (trust me, it doesn’t end well). Don’t get caught up in the clout and numbers game. It’s better to grow with someone that has your back, then trying to jump on the bandwagon of someone who will kick you off in a heartbeat. You know yourself better than anyone else. Remain in control of your creative process and your brand. Manifest your realities because as soon as you truly believe in it and can see it for yourself, I promise you the pieces will fall into place. Be a vessel and let the music work through you. Remove your ego, pride, and all things that can stifle creativity and be authentically you!!!!

Any last words? 

Thank you guys so much for having me & to anyone who’s reading this, go stream Familiar Stranger and Theory of You! I know everyone says this about their own music, but it really slaps….. Like forreal. Bops on bops. Other than that, I have so much more music on the way and so many more announcements coming soon, I can’t wait to share with you all! Be on the lookout for me! Love, Aria. 

Big shout out to Aria Bléu for interviewing with Nefarious Supply and being the featured artist this week. if you enjoyed this interview and want to stay up to date with her you can find her on Instagram as well as her music on all streaming platforms. Be sure to also check out R&B Radar as well as Talent Over Clout to learn more about the amazing things the start ups are doing for up and coming artists!

If you want to stay up to date with news and content coming from Nefarious Supply you can find us on Instagram, and Twitter. We also recently opened the Nefarious Supply shop so if you want to support you can show some love here!