Having already turned out a wealth of broad and tantalising delights so far this year, British-American artist Ripsime continues to shine once again on her dynamic new single 'Wicked & Wise'.
Lifted from her eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Capsule I: Wicked & Wise', which is available to stream now, 'Wicked & Wise' makes for a brilliantly bold and driven listen. With her rich and shimmering vocal performance layered across an innovative production throughout, she is returning to the fold with one of her most impactful cuts to date here.
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 most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with would have probably been the guitar! Even though I learned how to play the piano growing up and was always fascinated by the saxophone, a lot of my favourite songs always had guitar as its centre.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Probably Jazz. My dad lived and spent a considerable amount of time in New Orleans so growing up, old jazz records were always being played and they felt like the soundtrack/backdrop to my childhood. It was the first kind of music I distinctly remember listening to and falling in love with.
What was the first album you remember owning?
We had a lot of albums in the house: Elvis, the Beatles, Queen, the Eurythmics, Abba, all those classics. I think the first album I actually bought was some cheapo Bee Gees album that they recorded in the late 90s that no one listened to for 3 pounds out of a Woolworths music bin because that’s all I could afford at the time. I listened to that on repeat and thought it was really cool cause no one else knew about it and I passed it off as me being quirky, but really… I just couldn't afford anything else. Ironically, I grew to absolutely love that album.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are a ton I wish I’d written but for some reason “Everybody wants to rule the world” by Tears for Fears is one that comes to mind.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
None. I used to think there was a specific way I had to write or feel to get in the mood but it’s different every time. Sometimes, I go on the hunt for samples and feel inspired by all the different sounds and try to puzzle something together production wise. Other times, I’m jamming on the guitar, the piano or with my band and it just flows. What I have learned is I just have to give myself the space and grace to create, even if I don’t feel like it. If I come out with nothing, I always learn about myself in the process which in itself is invaluable - both in craft and on some deeper level too.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Honestly, I haven’t been listening to much new music lately. It’s really sad actually, I wish I could tell you what's new or who I’m listening to but I want to be as honest as I can in the moment and right now, these last few weeks and months specifically, there has been no one in particular, I just find myself constantly gravitating back to the classics.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
In any reality - maybe Prince, I think that would be a trip. Apparently he used to go and jam in old blues bars after his shows which I think would have been legendary to see or even be a part of. But alive… Maybe the Red Hot Chilli Peppers? Their energy on stage is incredible and I think it would be amazing to watch them rock out from the sidelines and see firsthand how they do it.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When you’re working and finally hit on something that feels so good that your whole body breaks out into a smile. You’re like “I did that” and the level of satisfaction you get from that moment is like nothing else. No matter how long it takes, that moment supersedes every other gruelling one before it, especially if you’ve been working on something for a long time. Worth it every time.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Maybe the continuous tweaking and listening to the same bars over and over! I’m a bit of a perfectionist so I can sit and listen to the same 10 second section on loop and people have to drag me away. I think that it's frustrating when you're working on something that you know needs to sound and feel different but you don’t know what, so you keep going back to it and it feels like it’s not getting any better. Maddening.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t say that you’re ‘trying to make something’, just make it. Even if it’s hard or feels impossible, you’ll find a way and eventually, you’ll get there.
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Ripsime's new single 'Wicked & Wise' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.