After originally breaking through with her stunning debut single 'Psychic' last year, fast-rising artist Ayda Rose is now back once again to deliver her passionate new offering 'Damn'.
Bringing back more of that rich and sultry neo-soul grooves she is quickly earning a reputation for, 'Damn' makes for a beautifully warm and inviting listen. With her sweet and soulful vocals layered across a shimmering production from start to finish, she is continuing to shine as one of the more alluring names on the rise right now.
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 lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with, I think I'd have to say the drums. Aside from my Dad being a drummer, my mum told me when she was pregnant with me Dance music would always make me move like crazy. So I guess you could say I've always had a natural love of rhythm.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I love all genres of music and always have exposed to and listened to a lot of everything but when I was really young if I wasn't listening to Stevie or MJ or practicing to Destiny's Child I was very much being an indie kid listening to Nirvana, The Smiths or Blink 182.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I ever owned was Michael Jackson - Dangerous. My Nanny Johnson bought it for me on cassette and my earliest memory of listening to it was around age 2/3 and my mum putting it on my little cassette player with headphones for me to listen to while she did the ironing. That was the first time I really started to study as an artist.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are so many songs I wish I had written but I think 'Seigfried' - by Frank Ocean is up there.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Habits and rituals I go through when writing, I sometimes like to try and write the titles of the songs first and work backward, that's something I'm into doing at the moment. Usually, even if I know what I want to write about, the melodies come first and I freestyle over whatever music we have whether it be a track or someone playing live to figure it out.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
My favourite artists on rotation at the moment are Victoria Monét, and Mk. gee, The Smile and Kendrick Lamar.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Right now if I could open for anyone it would have to be either Erykah Badu or SZA.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part about being a musician for me is being able to connect with other people through music, from the creative process itself and the relationships you build with the people you create with, to being able to perform and seeing people connect with the music you've made and sing your words back at you at a show. When someone tells me they love a song of mine or that they relate to it for me, that's me being in my purpose.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Social media.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Live in your truth and create from that space.
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Ayda Rose's new single 'Damn' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.