A Q&A with Arum Flowers

Eccentric pop beats from Spanish newcomer…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
The title of my latest release is ‘No Quieres’, which literally means ‘You don’t want to.’ However, the overall meaning of this song is about standing your ground and not accepting any less from people because you know your worth.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
I would say that the hardest part is being an independent artist with a limited self-funded budget. There are a lot of things one needs to juggle behind the scenes that people may not be aware of. My friends and family have been incredibly supportive and have helped tremendously in piecing this release together!

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it?
This release was produced by Ben Esser, with the assistance of producer Chopstick aka Chi-Thien Nguyen at Suol Studios in Berlin, where we created the initial demo of ‘No Quieres’ back in 2019. I always knew I wanted to release this song and revisited it earlier this year to rewrite the verses, which ultimately made it all come together.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I want listeners to feel empowered and excited to hear more of my music. I’m eager to explore a variety of sounds and genres, and I can’t help but have this constant desire to push my musical boundaries. So, I hope listeners are eager to experience the ever-evolving Arum Flowers.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
My tracks usually come together by us laying down some chords and a beat, after which I begin to freestyle several melodies on top. I go with the melody that feels most authentic to me, and from there, the lyrics usually start to take shape. I prefer not to rush this process; if I vibe with the melody I’m writing, then I’ll be more motivated to develop the song further.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Kali Uchis, SZA, and Col3trane are artists whom I deeply admire for their songwriting and the production in their work. However, I try not to focus too much on other artists’ music while I’m creating my own, as I want to maintain my authenticity.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Global! Performing at Primavera Sound in Barcelona would be incredible, as I promised myself when I attended in 2017 that I’d return as a performer. The same applies to Coachella; I secretly don’t want to let myself attend as a guest until I’ve performed there. It’s a strange motivator for me to keep pushing and turn my visions into reality.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
I would choose my latest single, “No Quieres.” It embodies my roots from growing up in Mallorca, Spain, and conveys the upbeat feeling I want people to experience when listening to my music.

What ambitions do you have for your career?
For me, I like to remind myself that the sky’s the limit, even if people think I’m a bit eccentric! I never want to set a cap on my ambitions, as I want to remain open to the opportunities that may come my way. I definitely aspire to be featured on the YouTube channel COLOURS and to tour Europe. In the near future, I aim to keep releasing singles that I’m proud of and to continually elevate the art I produce to the fullest extent possible.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
“See you all soon!!”

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