I have worked in and around music for the last couple of years now. It’s a pretty beautiful world filed with the quest to express oneself fully, self reflect on our emotions and thoughts and share a piece of oneself with the world through melodies, timbers and tempos.
One thing I have noticed is that early in their career, when artists are asked what a song is about, 4 out of 5 times the answer will come back - it’s about getting through hard times in life and realising that there is an end in site. This sentiment takes music from escapism to realism as it allows for a genuine connection to be made between listener and creator and both to grow.
If it wasn’t for Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys I might not have been able to fully conceptual the darkside of love, when it comes it reared its head.
Toronto based RnB songwriter Aunty Social, has only released one track so far and is already causing a stir in the music scene internationally. It isn’t just her Rnb sensibilities that are distinctly Canadian - creating reminiscence of Homeshake and Drake in her wobby synth sounds and melodically pleasing vocals. It is her reason for doing what she does that is making her stand out. Aunty Social is one of those artists whom you can’t help but appreciate due to a belief that she isn’t doing this for the fame or notoriety but she is genuinely just sharing her experiences, with the hope of helping others going through these to perhaps deal with them better.
Her Debut release Trying, had great success even here with it’s Official Video Premiering on Australia’s own Clipped TV. The message? Growing up with beliefs in one thing and finding oneself unsure them over time. Complete re-contextualisation of what you once believed in.
With her next release - Travelling Circus out on September 16th we had a lil’ pow wow wow yippi yo yippy yay with the talent.
BYO: Hey Daniela, Thanks for chatting with Backyard Opera. How’s things in Toronto going?
Aunty Social: Really lovely, thank you for asking! Just moved to the city after living in a suburban neighbourhood most of my life so it’s been a really inspiring month!
BYO: You are already making an impact with only two releases under your belt. For me personally it is the mix of your personal themes and beautiful sound choices. So I guess first of all I wanted to ask. What is your overall purpose with your music?
Aunty Social: Thank you so much! I want to answer this honestly and say I haven't developed a clear purpose. I could say passion fuels me or that it's my tool to engage others (which are both true in their own right) but the motivation is always morphing depending on so many things. I love what I do, but I also don't want to define it to the point where I'm barred in, y'know? Am i reading into this question too much? Probably
BYO: For me at least - there is a fairly distinctive sound coming out of Toronto at the moment. The homeshake esque relaxed RnB soul pop. For you is there a specific cultural reason this is happening? Is it the sounds of the music in bars or on the radio? Or perhaps the sounds of Toronto 20 years ago that have shaped the scene?
Aunty Social: I think Toronto has always generated distinct sounding music, but there is a lack of accessibility with getting it to the international surface, I think. There are so many great acts coming from Toronto and their music will usually resonate in the States or the UK at the beginning, then Canada comes along shortly after. I think we are just finally catching up when it comes to recognizing the eccentric sounds of our city.
BYO: I would love to have some insight into your writing process. It is a ‘wake up with a melody in your head and run to a piano’ kind of situation. Or are you locking yourself in a room for days on end and not coming out until you have a body of work?
Aunty Social: It can be both, but mostly the latter. David Foster Wallace said something I really relate to which is “I will probably write an hour a day and spend eight hours a day biting my knuckle and worrying about not writing." It'll poke at me all day, even if I had a strict plan to write later, there’s something in my brain that will not stop poking me until I sit down in that chair. Then comes the next boss, starting a session. I consider that boss my Bowser, but once I get that first melody going, he's done for and I can finally relax.
BYO: Have you got any bucket list musical goals?
Aunty Social: To pioneer the music industry in some significant way. just a basic, but necessary equation in the math textbook that every high school student needs to read. That’s the only way I can picture that goal metaphorically in my head.
BYO: What’s next for Aunty Social?
Aunty Social: So much! Three more releases to go, a really cool music video, city shows, possibly out of town shows and all that good stuff!