Surrounded by Music: Q & A with Musician Arianna Bernas
By KBR
When did you first begin creating music?
I first started writing songs when I was around ten or eleven. The opportunity to release original music sort of found me much later in my life. I didn’t initially consider pursuing music professionally to be honest, mostly because I wasn’t sure if it was possible. But now I know that I can!
Design by Corinne Ficarra
Why do you gravitate toward music as a medium?
I think music can talk about aspects of our lives that are difficult to articulate or are too complex. I’ve always felt it was a very cathartic way to process my life - whenever I felt especially emotional about something, I would sing or make music about it. I’ve always been surrounded by music, and I love how different sounds can create images, evoke feelings and memories too. I just think it’s so rad and so powerful.
What are common messages that reoccur in your music?
I’ve written a lot about being in liminal spaces, both emotionally and physically, so I suppose that’s a common thread. Many of my songs are kind of about things that should’ve been said, or things that weren’t said period. I always maintain that things are a lot easier if people are just open to talking about it.
Design by Corinne Ficarra
When did you discover your sound?
I have pretty eclectic taste in music, and that’s the primary influence of my sound, I suppose. When I am consciously creating, I like contrast. I like the idea of textured vocals with a smooth key, or smooth breathy stuff with distorted electric guitar. I feel like as far as discovering my sound, I’m still working on it, but what I like changes depending on my mood. As far as stuff that sticks, most of my music is kind of soul/alternative r&b with some indie rock or indie pop touches. But don’t take my word for it. If I had to try to describe what I want in a few words, I’d probably say that I want to make movies with my music.
What is the title of your newest song or project?
In spring 2021, I released a single with Matt Young, “Passenger Seat,” including three tracks - ‘Red Light,’ ‘Greene Street’ and ‘Where Did You Go?’ I had this idea in my head for a while of using a car crash(ing) as an analogy for a break up, and writing from the perspective of the person in the passenger seat. You sort of surrender yourself to the driver, from the beginning, when you get into the car even if you might know the driver’s not that great, or if they ultimately lose control on the road, so I wanted to center the project around that.
I was watching the Haunting of Hill House when I came up with the idea for how to approach telling this story. There’s a confirmed fan theory that the Craine siblings are based on the five stages of grief - I wanted my songs to sort of reflect that too.
The three songs on passenger seat sort of go through the most visceral stages - denial (Red Light), bargaining (Greene Street), and anger (Where Did You Go?). I had these emotions at the center of the production process. Matt and I made a lot of conscious choices to try and stick to that emotion. When I would talk Matt through the idea/emotion for the song, he’d come back the next week with some sounds and beats and we’d piece it together from there. Once the sample was done, I’d go in with the lyrics.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations when creating?
I really look up to NIKI and Yuna - they’re both artists from Southeast Asia who have carved out their place in mainstream music. They’re incredibly inspiring, and I also happen to really love their sounds/their minds. Other Asian artists that I really love (and really inspire me) are Joyce Wrice, Raveena, and Joy Crookes. Lianne La Havas and Miguel are two of my biggest inspirations and have been for a long time. I love how their music is both smooth and gritty - really organic and blunt. They’re people I always go back to when I get a little caught up in the process to ground me. I am also a huge fan of both HAIM and MUNA, and it definitely shows in my music. Lyrically, I love Kevin Garett, Ivy Sole and Phoebe Bridgers. They are deliberate with their word choices, and they are not afraid to be a little weird or gross about it. I also listen to a lot of Jhene Aiko when I’m writing, specifically her freestyles.
Design by Corinne Ficarra
How are you unique from other artists?
I think my perspective is unique, that’s kind of a corny answer but I do believe it’s true. No one can see the world how I see the world, and I think that’s true for everyone. I bring a lot of my own life experience to the table when I make music as well.
Do you have any advice to give aspiring artists?
For aspiring artists, I would say to just start doing it. Especially those of you who grew up like me, being told that a career in the arts doesn’t necessarily equate financial or social stability. At the very least, just start making stuff. Honing your craft, sharpening your skills. Everything else will follow.
How do you feel being a woman has influenced your artistic style or upbringing?
Being a woman has emboldened my music for sure. As a woman, I was taught that I’m not allowed to be outwardly upset, or I wouldn’t be taken seriously. That I should just flow. I think that way of thinking can be really harmful to young women especially, as it can teach them to devalue their own emotions over others. I always try to incorporate grit into my songs in some way, whether that be with textures, or instruments, or in my lyrics. Whatever the emotion behind the song, my aim is to let it surround the listener, so that they may find catharsis in the same way I did, no matter who you are.
What are some random things that might remind your loved ones of you?
All black outfits, dessert, the Rock, rings (lots of them), astrology, burping
Design by Corinne Ficarra
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and where you’re from? Has this influenced your creative journey? If so, how?
I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. Growing up in Manila means that you spend a lot of time in traffic. Having to spend so much time waiting around made it easy for me to write anywhere. I spent around 3 or 4 hours a day in the car going back and forth to school listening to music, singing, reading, and writing in the car. I feel like the process never really starts or ends for me, it just pauses and plays whenever I’m inspired, which is pretty often. My parents really nurtured my creativity by not making a huge effort to censor anything when it came to music and books especially. I fell in love with the idea that I could take something in my mind and bring it to life. They especially encouraged my writing, and I wrote a lot. English was always my favorite class. I actually never thought I would put out my own music; I wanted to write books when I was younger. I read a lot and I feel like I still have a writer’s mindset even when I’m writing music. I love fantasy novels where you can get lost in the minutia of the world-building, and/or procedural crime shows where I happily spend hours overanalyzing to solve the puzzle at the end. When I write songs, details matter. Layers matter. I like the idea that you can listen to the same song multiple times and understand the story behind it in newer or deeper ways, like when you read and re-read a really good book, or watch a really good movie multiple times.
Who is an artist that you feel defines “women empowerment?”
It’s so difficult to pick just one, there are so many artists who have really defined that for me. I’d probably have to say Little Mix. I know there’s a whole stigma with girl bands, especially pop ones, but I don’t really care. Their whole thing as a band is lifting other women up and they’ve been doing it for such a long time. They’re incredible artists and women, and I’m (still) a huge fan.
What is the power of art?
I think art gives people the power to create really meaningful connections with other people and connect very deeply with themselves. At least that’s what it does for me, anyway.
What was your biggest fear in pursuing your music? How have you overcome that?
One of my biggest fears was being a one hit wonder. After In the Morning got so much traction, I was terrified that anything I put out after that wouldn’t top it. Getting over that mental hurdle is something I have to actively do everyday, and I sort of just tell myself that the important thing is that I’m creating music that feels true to me, and people liking it is just a bonus. Time definitely helps, now that it’s been a while I feel less caught up in the
expectations I set for myself. I mean, none of my songs that came out after In the Morning have done as well, so I guess you can say I’m in a much better place about it.
Arianna Bernas was featured in Desert Runway Show for Women Networking in Photography
Videography by KBR, LJ Garcia, & Shauntreis Sproles. Click Here for Full Video Credits
How would you describe your personal creative space?
I’d love to describe a very glamorous space for y’all but unfortunately my mic is shoved in the closet, surrounded by blankets because I don’t have sound proofing yet (I’m working on it). I mostly write in my room nowadays, near all my books, but a lot of it is on my phone. I have a lot of voice notes and drafts of lyrics I came up with while trying to fall asleep.
Do you ever get compared to other artists? If so, why?
My dad thinks that I sound like Tori Kelly, but I think he’s just being nice. I get the Ariana Grande joke a lot at Starbucks, but that’s pretty much it.
Do you have any upcoming performances?
So far, none! But you can catch a recent performance of mine on FILAM Arts - I performed an unreleased song for their Malakas and Maganda live show! You can check out the video on their Facebook page.
