Interview with ARO about "Let Me Go"

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your song “Let Me Go” and its unique perspective on relationships?

This song is a confessional from the part of myself that struggles to let people in. It’s written from the perspective of this very avoidant side of me. And I think it’s unique in that I simultaneously captured the tenderness that lives there, the fear and the sadness that I make it difficult for people to love me, but I also captured this unapologetic chaos in it all. I know that this part of me hurts others, and I am sorry about that, but she’s not, and I think the song really captures that fine line between sadness and masochism.

How did your collaboration with alternative pop producer Caden Jester come about, and how did it influence the sound of “Let Me Go”?

Caden and I work really well together. I’m planning on finishing this first EP with his production help. Let Me Go was our first collaboration. I had lyrics, a melody, and some sound inspiration that I sent over to him and we nailed down an instrumental within a week or so based off of those things. The original beat for the demo version of Let Me Go sounds nothing like the finished product, which was really exciting. I think the demo version would’ve sounded quite ordinary, Caden really took this piece to the next level.

Your songwriting often explores personal experiences and emotions. How do you approach the process of turning these experiences into music?

For me (and probably a lot of artists) there’s no distinction between my inner world and my art. I’m always pulling from that well, and I actually find that turning my experiences and emotions into art helps me process and integrate them in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. When I’m making music and writing lyrics I’m dipping into the subconscious, so while I might have a rough idea of what it is I’m sitting down to write about, the final product is always as much of a surprise to me as anyone else. The process helps me understand myself better. It’s alchemy.

What was it like recording “Let Me Go” in your DIY home studio, and how did this environment impact the final product?

I’m really glad I took the time and money to invest in my own equipment to record. It’s ultimately so much cheaper than renting a studio and I get the luxury of time. If my voice isn’t performing well one day I can set it down and come back the next night. Caden and I work async with one another and it feels so much more casual than being in a studio setting. As a new artist I’m working through a lot of nerves, and being able to record from the comfort of my home right now really takes the pressure off. I’m able to find my groove and my sound more easily.

Your voice has been described as unique and well-suited to the energy of “Let Me Go.” How have you developed your vocal style over time?

Finding my vocal style has been about blending the genres I gravitate towards with where my voice naturally thrives. I took a few months of vocal lessons two years ago but didn’t vibe well with my teacher so I quit after learning the basics. I took to YouTube and found some lessons that I liked and worked on my own every day for a year to develop my vocals. Recently I sought out another vocal coach that I’m now working with to help me take what I’ve built on my own to the next level. I think taking a year to work on my own set me up really well to be able to go to a professional and get the most out of our time together because not only do I know where my weak points are technically, I also have a better idea of what my sound is artistically. My biggest growth points have happened when I’ve let go of trying to sound like anyone else and instead just let my voice be what it wants to be.

As an LA-based artist, how has the city and its music scene influenced your work and growth as a musician?

LA is always brimming with creative energy. It’s almost impossible for it to not spill over onto you. I’ve moved around a lot in my life and this place feels like home more than any place ever has for me. I think my own energy plays well with the energy here, and I think that’s definitely reflected in my music. Living here you’re exposed to so many different types of people, different life paths, not everyone is interested in climbing the ladder of life. This in particular has been a strong theme in my own personal growth and I tend to write about it a lot. LA makes me feel normal in that sense.

Can you share any challenges you faced while creating “Let Me Go” and how you overcame them?

Well it was my first song I took to production, so lots of challenges! Everything from finding the right type of equipment, to learning how to use my DAW, to nerves around hitting that little red button, everything felt hard. It honestly took me like 3-4 weeks to get vocals that I liked on it, and then a few weeks later I had Caden reopen the project for me because I had figured out some mic issues I was having and wanted to get the vocals sounding even better lol. I’m a recovering perfectionist so knowing when to put pencils down on this was really hard for me, I always think I can do better. It was really important for me to put time limits on how long I’d allow myself to work in a recording session so that I didn’t lose my sense of what was “good” or “not good”. And as cliche as it sounds, it was really important for me to stay tapped into the joy of it all. I had a very sobering moment where I realized that if I wasn’t having fun there was really no point in doing any of this at all. It was a balance between being on point technically while still remaining loose and having a good time.

What do you hope listeners take away from “Let Me Go” and your music in general?

I don’t know that I have some kind of take away lesson or statement to make in most of my songs. I actually tend to not be as heavily invested in music that’s on the nose that can be wrapped up in that way. More than anything I hope my listeners are moved by my work in some way, that something about the way I worded a line, or a chord progression that I chose makes people feel something. Some of the songs that I come back to again and again are ones that stir something in me that I can’t quite put my finger on. And selfishly I really want to attract listeners who are lyrics people, because I put a lot of myself into my writing and I’m quite proud of my lyrics. I’m in it for the poetry, and I hope my listeners are too.

How do you see your music evolving in the future, and are there any specific themes or styles you’d like to explore?

I live for a concept. I have a very strong concept for my 2 upcoming EPs that I intend to roll into my first album. The first EP is a collection of songs that explore my darker side, the messy, flawed individual that I am. They’re vulnerable and honest, and many of them are songs that I wrote a year ago when I was first digging into who I am as an artist. The second EP is a collection of songs that capture this sense of coming into myself, they’re a bit more punchy with more attitude. Together these EPs document a small piece of my journey towards healing and self actualization. The album will flush out this concept a bit more; turning pain into magic.

As far as genre or sound, I’ve decided that I’m not going to force myself to stay in one style. I’m far more invested in allowing each song to be what it wants to be stylistically. I’m confident that who I am as an artist will naturally create cohesion.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about and can share with us?

Oops I think I answered this question in the last question! I’ll be continuing to collaborate with Caden Jester as I roll out this first EP containing six original songs. Our goal is to have it out by the end of this year, I’m really so excited to share it with everyone.