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Interview: Brooklyn’s Arum Rae breaking out with ‘Waving Wild’

Jon Berrien
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Following her her critically-acclaimed Warranted Queen EP Brooklyn’s Arum Rae is gearing up to self-release her second EP of the year, Waving Wild. The previously shelved project is now seeing the day of light and we expect it to shine.

GroundSounds recently caught up with Arum to talk about Waving Wild, musical inspirations and more, check out the exclusive interview below.

Waving Wild EP drops November 4th.

 

For those just discovering Arum Rae, can you tell us about your upbringing and how you got started with music and playing guitar?

Music was what I naturally gravitated to in school. I moved to a different school every year and always ended up in choir or music programs. My 3rd high school teacher took me under his wing and got me a scholarship to Berklee College of Music.  I ended up getting a degree in business but toward the end I started playing guitar to write songs. Never really thought I would stick with guitar … because I always just sang. But now feels like there wouldn’t be one without the other. So then I moved to an 1800’s log cabin 9 miles up a mountain in Virginia and wrote as much as possible and played any and everywhere I could.

We have really been digging “Gold,” can you tell us about the creative and writing process for this track?

Thank you! I wrote that while touring off and on with Gary Clark Jr… So guitar wise i was very influenced by him. I’m a hopeless romantic…. want that love that’s deeper and wider than our physical selves… I just tried to put that across in ‘Gold’.

Can you tell us about working on your latest EP Warranted Queen? What were the most rewarding and challenging parts in bringing it all together?

‘Warranted Queen’ was an accident. I was signing with Warner Brothers last year and then that fell through. So a friend introduced me to Sanford Livingston in Brooklyn. We clicked and just kept recording songs. Which became that EP. It was rewarding because it was effortless. Challenging because I can’t go back and change/fix things that I don’t like about it.

We are anticipating your second EP of the year Waving Wild, what was it like working on this project and bringing it to fruition?

Waving Wild was made 2 years ago actually. Never released it because it got put on hold while I was supposed to be signing with WBR. Waving Wild came together two Augusts ago when Gary Clark and the boys were off tour. So his soundman Chico Ramanath helped me produce and Gary’s bass player Johnny B played bass and JJ Johnson on drums. We recorded at Public HiFi in Austin TX. It was just fun! Felt right at the time… Now i still dig it and want to share with the public… Which also helps me move on artistically.

When performing on stage what typically goes through your mind?

A lot of times I completely forget the performance. But if I’m nervous or uncomfortable I’ll often obsess about guitar tone … Or watch people watch me… Which blows. I prefer feeling like we are all experiencing something together.

You have shared the stage with some amazing musicians… B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and Gary Clark Jr. what has been one of your most memorable moments in your career thus far?

I recently got to play with The B 52s. Their last two shows ever actually. That was surreal. But Sixto Rodriguez is my proudest moment in life so far.

Can you tell us about the inspiration for your track “Waving Wild?”

I was trying to channel Beyoncé. Haha. And dreaming of being in love. And was sick of writing sad, dark music.

What is one thing every visitor should see or do in Brooklyn?

Walk the Williamsburg Bridge at dusk

Sonically, what musicians have inspired you most?

Nina Simone for her vocal expression

Outkast for them just being brilliant / soulful and ahead of their time

James Blake for his melodies

Radiohead- Erykah Badu –

After the release of Waving Wild, what’s next for Arum Rae?

I am just getting started working on a full length record for 2015. I’m also guest appearing a DJ from Brooklyn’s EP. But have yet to formally announce that. And more touring. I really like touring right now

http://arumrae.bandcamp.com

http://youtube.com/arumraemusic