Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlana.
Hi Arlana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Nashville, both my parents were very musically inclined so they were my first influences in music. I grew up in church (my father is a pastor) and would sing in choir at a very young age. My parents put me in piano lessons when I was about seven years old, guitar lessons when I was 9. Right from the start, music played a huge role in my upbringing, but I really didn’t appreciate it until I got older. When I went to college to study music, and that where I really started to take making music seriously and form my own musical identity. Being in the School of Music at Belmont University really pushed me to test the limits of my own creativity. I stretched my craft, starting playing piano again, and was in a number of vocal ensembles. I started a band and played around town a bit, but I made a lot of mistakes.
In 2021, I finally released my debut album, “SONGBBIRD: UNE” which is the first of a two-part project that explores a more optimistic and hopeful side to falling in love. Part Deaux will probably take some time for me to release, but I’m currently working on a double-sided mixtape called “Soliloquy/ Letters From Me To You”. I hope to release it sometime next Spring. I’ve been making a lot of music lately, and I’m really excited to share it with my supporters. I think my music has evolved into something that really encapsulates who I am becoming, and the growth really feels good.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Never. Being an independent artist is very difficult. It costs money, time, and takes a toll on your emotional and mental state. I saved up for about 2-3 years while working two jobs to afford funding my album release. Carving out a music career with no label, no management, and no real budget is not for the faint of heart!
But it is so rewarding! When I hear people singing my songs, when I mingle with other independent artists who are doing the same thing I am, it really makes my heart full. Making music is definitely a long game, and it takes patience, so that is definitely a challenge, but the world would be so dull without creatives who risk their own comfort to make art that other people need. We really saw that during the pandemic. People need music, art, and creativity to cope with the hardships of life. That job will always be challenging.
I’ve struggled with my confidence for a really long time as well, so being the lead in a musical outfit can be such a burden sometimes. Even now, I have a hard time being vocal about what I need from other collaborators and musicians when we play or write together. I try to remind myself that the people God has placed in my life are working with me for a reason and I shouldn’t doubt myself. They want to work with me, they want to see me succeed. If I lead with kindness and clarity, I will continue to grow. That reassurance guides me the most. You basically have to be your own cheerleader, no one is going to hold your hand through it, so self-encouragement really keeps me grounded. Remembering why I do this is paramount.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Neo-Soul artist and singer-songwriter. I write all my own music and produce/ co-produce all of my songs. The album I released last year, called “SONGBIRD: UNE” is my biggest accomplishment to date. It was a body of work four years in the making, and it was a lot of fun to create and plan for. I mostly collaborated with my friend and producer Josh Ashley. We spent a lot of hours creating, arguing, going back and forth between what songs to add and how to finish them, and it paid off. I think we made a great body of work together.
Almost everything about my music is funded and spearheaded by me: The tracklist order, lyrics and production, creative directing, photography sessions, album art, video editing, merchandise orders and shipments, marketing, hair and makeup, wardrobing, etc…
I like to be involved in every aspect of my artistry (most of the time I don’t have a choice). It can be difficult doing everything alone, but it’s also such a great feeling to pull something off that most people have a whole team doing for them. It makes me feel extremely capable like I can do anything I set my mind to.
Usually, there isn’t money in my budget to hire a makeup artist or a stylist, so I have to think, “what is most important?” If I do a music video, I can’t film it by myself, so the majority of the money will go to paying a videographer. That leaves very little left for everything else, so I have to make do. I’ve picked up different skills over the years. I can edit film and photos, I can do the smoky eye, I can apply the blush and put the outfits together myself, and save money at the same time. Sometimes I have friends help me with photoshoots, and I’ll buy them coffee or dinner as payment. You just make do with what you have. You don’t need a whole bunch of money to pull things off. I try not to use that as an excuse. I’ve made some incredible things on a $200 budget.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
A lot of people in the music industry say that the key to success is 10% talent and 90% luck. So far, I haven’t been that lucky. Most of the opportunities I’ve been offered are from networking and hard work. Sometimes simply reaching out to other musicians and writers and asking them to listen to your work is enough to get your foot in the door. For me, it has been a series of baby steps that move me toward my intended destination. But if there is luck involved, I haven’t had any yet!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.arlanamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlanadelbae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArlanaMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuF6kt1x6l3FOEONdXt5bvQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JcziP6kFGzZErrtNwDTLP?si=zGUYQMw8Q1Kpy2cHtgbE0Q
Image Credits
Imani Givertz Brynn Abner Shelby Kasberger RIcky Boleyjack
