Tripping Musicians - an Interview with Independent Recording Artist LaAerial

Singer and songwriter LaAerial has performed at legendary venues including The House of Blues, The Hard Rock Café, B.B. Kings, & Ronnie Scott's. She's been featured on the MTV Network, performed on Live! with Regis & Kelly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and has contributed vocals on the latest Public Enemy album as well as many others. We're pleased to present an interview with independent recording artist LaAerial.

Has being a vocalist and song writer always been a dream, or is it

a passion you developed in later years?

Developing into a creative person has always been a dream of mine. I can remember being a child and answering the age old question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I would simply reply: I want to be an artist. I wasn't exactly sure what that meant then, I just knew I wanted to create things, music, art, poetry and anything that encompassed my passion for self expression.

What influences do you draw on when writing a new song?

When writing songs I definitely draw from life it's self. I've never been more aware of it then at this very moment. Every experience both good, bad and in-between has influenced the way I write. From deep pain to the still beauty of an orange moon, I want to use it all. I feel very fortunate to have definitive ways in which to express myself. I can't imagine life without being able to write about it.

How is the music scene in London different from others you've experienced?

The music scene in London is in a word, receptive. People in London have all sorts of swag. They don't seem to stick to just one genre. They blend things other folks might not think to mix. The music scene in London is really humble yet amazing. It's like a gentle giant that doesn't yet realize how magnificent it's very existence is. People always ask me: "Why would you go to London instead of staying in New York?" I guess a simple answer would be that it's sometimes easier to break ground in someone else's backyard rather than your own.

I spent a lot of time in Los Angeles attempting to break some ground and also allowing the fear of success to overwhelm me. In truth I did more damage to my soul trying to fit inside the box that Hollywood provided. I think independent music has a better chance to survive in London. People yearn for it there, they welcome it no matter how small your name.

If you could perform with any artists from the past, who would it

be and why?

This is such an amazing question. I can't believe I've never thought about it. The first person who comes to mind is Nina Simone. For some reason I was intimidated when I first tried to listen to her at 16 years old. I rediscovered her some years later and have since developed a deep respect for her 'badass' attitude. It would've been great to perform with her because I know she would blow my socks off.

How does travel and experiencing other cultures affect your outlook

on life and how does that translate into your music?

Traveling around the world and experiencing other cultures really tests the principles I claim to live by. It makes me more tolerant to differences yet somehow reaffirms my values and the things I hold dear become clearer. I don't think I've yet found a way to translate this to my music. I believe it's a work in progress. The more I travel the more I hope to learn to use this knowledge to somehow unite us all musically. Music is indeed a universal language with a power of influence we can't begin to understand. We should try to use it to break down the barriers we've built between ourselves.

What has been your favorite encounter with a fan of your music?

I don't know if I have many actual "fans" but there are a few things people have done that shocked me! I was taking the G train from Queens (New York) once and a man walked up to me and said, "Are you LaAerial? I downloaded your CD on iTunes." I was so amazed that I started rambling on incessantly. He probably thinks I'm a weirdo but he made my day by just coming up to me and telling me that he found my first little recordings and actually purchased them. I couldn't believe he recognized me. I felt like someone had finally heard my voice and it made an impression. Now that I think about that it makes me want to put out more music. I think that I've grown creatively and I really want to share that growth with my listeners.

In five years, where do you hope to be?

In 5 years I want to still possess the freedom to go where I want to go, eat what I want to eat and do what I want to do exactly when I want to do it. I hope that I will have developed a few businesses in the arts. This encompasses my music career, aspirations as an entrepreneur in fashion, and even as a novelist. I want to be loving life even more and hopefully helping the people around me enjoy life to the fullest. That is really all I could ask for.

Trippers, you can connect with LaAerial via her Facebook page and her Tripping profile. If you're in London, check out one of her shows; we've heard through the Tripping grapevine they're tons of fun!