Hypnotized On The Highway with Arily Michele
Hypnotized On The Highway with Arily Michele
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Denver dreampop artist Arily Michele who just released her sophomore album "Highway Hypnosis."
It is important that humans are told that they are loved. This small gesture can do so much. Being loved, and knowing that are you loved, can lift the lowest of spirits of the ground and allow them to reach new heights. For Arily Michele, they are reminded every day. Michele’s parents named Arily after the acronym: “Always remember I love you.” Expression of sentimentality may be viewed as weakness to some but Arily does not allow that viewpoint to skew their work.
Arily’s work is thoughtful; it allows listeners to be introspective and reflective. Their vocals are otherworldly, something that artificial intelligence could never mimic. Michele has roots in North Carolina but has traveled elsewhere allowing for an expansion. These roots have blossomed into their sophomore album: Highway Hypnosis which is out now on all streaming platforms.
Highway Hypnosis is self-produced by Michele and intoxicating. Arily’s brand of dream psychedelic pop shines brighter than high beams. It is as stated: hypnotizing like a car dashboard whose lights inform drivers not only of low mileage but any potential obstacles that may be upcoming. Michele began writing and producing music at age fourteen. Just as she leaves the listeners hypnotized with her bewitching vocals it was synth loops and drum beats that captivated Arily at the start of her career. Since then her love of synths and production has only grown. Those roots have blossomed into blackberry sage helping heal any pain that may be left.
Mustard had the chance to talk with Arily Michele about Highway Hypnosis, bread, relocating to Denver, and so much more.
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
Thank you for having me, Mustard! I’m doing well today.
2. Mustard has observed that you make music for people who perform concerts in their cars. They wonder if you have attended any of these concerts? Do you put them on yourself? What are some of the best concert cars on the market?
I haven’t attended any car concerts lately, but I host one every time I’m driving by myself! Any car with a good sound system where you can blast your favorite songs and sing along to them is a good concert car.
3. They have also observed that you are the biblically accurate angel of music. Are you often asked to attend mass and other church related events to perform?
I don’t get asked to perform at churches, but I did take on a short gig as a church singer when I was in college! I filled in for a friend of mine while she was out of town for a few weeks.
4. Another title of yours is the coloratura desert diva. Mustard is curious how you balance each of these positions? Could you share how you became the coloratura desert diva?
These are seasonal roles! I return to being a biblically accurate angel of music during the Christmas season.
The “coloratura desert diva” moniker came about when I was trying to find a good descriptor of what I do. Coloratura sopranos are known for their vocal agility, and with this album, I really wanted to challenge myself to use that technique more. I’m really into western films lately, and my album is inspired by my time living in Colorado. “Coloratura desert diva” felt like a great way to combine my classical vocal training with a western aesthetic.
5. Your name is an acronym for "Always remember I love you." What are some ways you like to express your love for yourself and other humans?
I express my love for other humans by trying to be a safe place for them. I express love for myself by going after my dreams, even if they scare me!
6. You began writing and producing music at the age of 14. What type of music were you listening to during this time? Would you consider the artists you listened to then influences of yours now?
Oh man, I’ve listened to everything! When I was 14, I was really into Lady Gaga, and that definitely influenced the music I was making at that time. I think that influence is still there. I listened to a lot of pop music growing up and I am definitely a pop-leaning songwriter because of that.
7. In 2018 you relocated to Denver Colorado from North Carolina. How did this change of environment help inspire you creatively?
I actually moved to Denver from Florida! I moved around a lot as a kid because my dad was in the Marines. Moving to Colorado was a huge influence on my music, I think. I was really inspired by the landscape and climate. I also felt free to be myself, which gave me the confidence to actually pursue a music career.
8. As a condiment Mustard wonders: who are the Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos are a football team. I’m personally more of a Colorado Rockies fan! They are my favorite baseball team.
9. Mustard wonders if you could share more about how David Byrne has impacted you?
I think David Byrne is so weird, in the most wonderful way possible. I really love people who aren’t afraid to be weird. I also think David is a really brilliant singer and songwriter. He has a very distinctive voice that I love listening to, and I’m definitely inspired by post punk and new wave bands like Talking Heads.
10. Bread is a meal fit for royalty. Do you have a favorite kind of bread? What type of bread ranks highest amongst royalty?
My favorite bread is a three-way tie between garlic naan, baguette, and sourdough. I’m can’t say I know what royalty prefers, but if they disagree with me, I think they’re missing out.
11. They also wonder what is your creative process?
My creative process always starts with an idea! Sometimes that idea is a title, an aesthetic, a lyric or a melody, really whatever strikes my fancy in the moment. I like to give myself time to really think about it before I put it on paper. From then, it’s just building on it until I have a finished song or album.
12. Who is Ophelia and how did they inspire your debut single?
Ophelia is a character in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. I was inspired by Ophelia when I ended a really toxic relationship. My mind kept coming back to her character because I thought she deserved a better ending and I wanted to rewrite her story.
13. 2021 saw the release of your debut album "Echolalia." Could you share what it was like to put this album together?
Echolalia was a collection of songs that were sitting around for a while. I started working on them again during the pandemic, but I didn’t have access to good instruments or recording equipment, so I worked with a producer in Evergreen, Colorado to put the album together. It was a lot of fun getting to record in a studio with such amazing views of the Front Range. And it was a pretty big deal for me to actually finish a full album and release it.
14. You followed up the release of your album with "Go Steady." Mustard is curious how humans can go steady? Are there different levels of going steady?
“Go steady” means being in a committed relationship. I guess different levels of going steady would just be varying levels of commitment!
15. As a condiment often indoors they wonder if pink clouds appear often for humans to admire? How did pink clouds help inspire the single of the same name?
Pink clouds appear very often at sunrise or sunset! They are especially beautiful when they appear over a mountain range. I really wanted to capture the feeling of watching them over a mountain range at sunset, especially after a rain storm, and relate it back to a journey of self-acceptance. I hope everyone gets to experience beautiful pink clouds after their rainstorms.
16. Mustard would like to wish you congratulations on your sophomore album "Highway Hypnosis." Did a specific highway inspire the title? Does this highway practice magic? Could you share more about your newest album?
Thank you, Mustard! Highway hypnosis is a psychological effect of driving for a long period of time. I-70 in Kansas and eastern Colorado definitely conjure this feeling for me.
Highway Hypnosis came to me in a dream. I dreamt I was driving through a mountain pass, and when I stopped for the night, I encountered a stranger who was running from the law. Highway Hypnosis is a concept album based on that premise. It’s about a woman fleeing from a bad relationship to make a better life for herself, but she gets so focused on the details of her destination that she misses some scenery (and some red flags) along the journey.
17. Listening to this album Mustard felt truly hypnotized and entranced. Is there any subliminal hypnosis throughout your lyrics or production?
I would say there is a lot of subliminal messaging about learning to stand up for
yourself, setting boundaries, self-acceptance, and acknowledging both the good and the bad parts of life’s changes.
18. Mustard loves how albums are structured. The album opens with the title track - Highway Hypnosis. Throughout the rest of the album, within the stories told, are you hypnotized? Could you share more about how you structured the album?
Throughout the album, I definitely envision the main character being stuck in a fantasy, occasionally being brought back down to earth with life’s unpleasant or uncomfortable realities.
19. What is a Pity Party? Are these parties common amongst humans?
A pity party is when someone spends a lot of time feeling sorry for themselves for doing something bad, instead of being sorry to the people they’ve hurt. Unfortunately, a lot of humans can be like this if they haven’t done the work to mature emotionally.
20. Blackberry Sage, according to the internet, is good for treating pain. Do you agree with this assessment? How do you use Blackberry Sage?
I would say Blackberry Sage is a great treatment for pain. I like to drink blackberry sage tea when I’m recording vocal takes. It’s especially tasty with honey.
21. Following "Highway Hypnosis" what is next for Arily Michele?
While I’m promoting Highway Hypnosis, I’ll begin working on a short film and an extended version of the album. I also hope to go on some short tours in 2025.
22. Where can readers listen to your music?
You can listen to me wherever you stream or download music! You can also stream and download my music directly from my website.
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 32 states and 19 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.
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