Project Description

Interview with

Opāru

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music? Did you realise at the time it would become your life at that early stage?
I have always been a musician since I can remember.  Originally I started to mess around with the idea when I was 2 years old.  I would sing and assemble random things around my house to create drums with. 

When I was around 6 I started to learn to read music on my own and play the piano.  I started to write songs then.  I would record myself on those old school cassette players.
At the time I knew that no matter what I wanted to play music for the rest of my life.  At first the primary thing was singing but as I learned to play and write my own songs I became more interested in doing the song writing as well.  It wasn’t as much of a realisation as me just knowing that doing anything else wouldn’t make me happy.

Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it influenced your current style?
I grew up in the 90’s so a lot of my musical influences were artists like The Cure, Tori Amos, Bjork, Depeche Mode, and many other artists of that time period.  I also really liked Bach, Mozart, and various classical artists.  I grew up listening to music from my parent’s generation from the 50 & 60’s also a lot of classic rock.   I feel like all of it affects my song-writing style.  I feel like a lot of artists from the 70 and 90’s had songs with really deep themes.  They had a lot of deep undertones where you really had to listen to the lyrics to figure out the true depth of the songs.  Also my piano playing has been greatly effected by the complex piano playing of Tori Amos and Bach.  I love making things complicated which doesn’t always work for mainstream pop but it’s something I’m drawn to.

Talking about your current project, how did you find the transition from the success of Versailles, with people all around you, to the pressure of being the focal point for all praise and criticisms?
I have felt like most people have been very supportive through the process.  Versailles was a great project at that point in my growing period but I have changed and the musical focus has also changed.  I still have a lot of the same fans following my Opāru project.  They have grown right along by my side.

How would you describe your sound and why do you think people resonate with your music?
My music is an electro-pop sound and verges on the boarder of contemporary.  I would say it’s a dark sound and that most of my songs are ballads.  I feel that not all people do resonate with my music.  I think that people either love or hate it and a lot of that depends on where they are emotionally.  It’s the type of music you would listen to when you are feeling introspective.  When you want to learn more about your inner-self.   If you are getting ready to go to the club with 10 of your friends it might not be the right music for that. 

Your new single “Ghost To Follow” has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
Ghost To Follow is a song that reminds us that so many of us are living as ghosts of who we really are and really could be in this world.  We are always trying so hard to please those around us.  We are always worried about what is socially acceptable and what isn’t.   We worry what people will think of us if we don’t act a certain way or do something in our lives a certain way.  We need to break out and become our true selves.  Stop worrying what others think.  Stop limiting ourselves. 

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I enjoyed the video. How did you decide on those themes? Were they your ideas, and if so, what were you trying to convey?
I’m so glad you liked it. J Every video I do I come with the ideas for.  I said I wanted to do an underwater video that incorporated the Salt Flats.  The water represents the inner self.  The desert represents the outer influences that are affecting that person.  I felt the contrast of the stark desert environment was necessary against the colourful deep water.

Is there an EP or Album in the works?
I just released an EP a month ago called Love Me.  There will be a few new songs coming out early 2020.  I am heading in the studio in January to start. 

What shows/tours are coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I currently do not have any tours lined up.  I’m looking forward to the new songs I’m writing this January.  Currently I’m working on a deal and hoping to get them in a FILM or TV show soon.  Fans can expect another album in 2020.  Also if you haven’t seen the lyric video for Love Me it was just released a week ago. 

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would u choose? And why?
Robert Smith.  I love his music the man is a genius. I love his guitar playing and he’s so good at coming up with melodies.  I feel I still have a lot to learn and playing with people more experienced than you is always a great way to get better at your craft. 

What’s next for you in the near future?
My main focus has been just continuing to write and collaborate with as many other artists as possible.  I would love to do a song with Lana Del Rey.

What are your longer-term aspirations?
To travel the world and play music in every place I can.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
It’s really a rewarding feeling.  It’s something hard to describe until you have done it.  It’s an adrenalin rush like no other.  It’s also so wonderful and empowering, to get your message out there to the world.  I feel the only equivalent thing would be a great speech.  It’s definitely not the same as performing in a play.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album –  I would say it’s a hard one.  I love so many artists and albums.  Disintegration by The Cure is one of my favourites. 
Artist – The Cure, Tori Amos, Lana Del Rey, SOHN, M83 etc.  So many of these…
Movie – Legend
Place to visit – US (NEW ORLEANS) I also really like Canada it’s so beautiful.  Right now I’m on my way to Bali.  I’m literally in the Shanghai Airport right now!
Venue to play – I’ve always wanted to play Wembley hoping someday that will happen.
Food –  Italian
Drink –  Coffee unless you mean alcohol then it would be red wine.
Person in History –  Bach
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?)  I have 2 tattoos one is a Scorpion for Scorpio and the other is a pair of skulls that look like cherries. 

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Check out Opāru below
Website | Facebook  | Instagram  | Twitter 

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AMNPLIFY – DB