Diandra Interviews RICEWINE: Writing Lovesick Songs
RICEWINE is so easy-going. He is genuine and simple, which reflects in his songs. They are are smooth and rich; diving into how insecurities can really hold us back while sounding free and fluid. Creating songs that are both vivacious and lo-fi’d pensiveness, which is why his upcoming EP, Lovesick, is one I am excited to hear. Thus, in our interview, I got to pick his brain about what makes him lovesick, in love, and how his future EP continues his efforts to turn anxieties into total bops.
Diandra: In honor of “Ocean” what are the biggest thrills or deepest thoughts you have ever had in your life?
RICEWINE: I’m not too sure about the biggest thrill, but it’s crazy that I can express my deepest thoughts in my music and people will listen to it. It’s such a strange feeling.
Diandra: “Selfluv” is about checking up on yourself. What do you feel your music has helped you check about you?
RICEWINE: Music has really helped me express myself. I’m a pretty introverted person so it’s great to have an outlet. I’d probably explode if I didn’t have music (he laughs).I think creating music helps me understand how i react to certain things, like something fucked will happen in my life, then later on, I’ll listen to a song I made during that period and be like “Oh, that’s how i felt about it”
RICEWINE – Ways (Official Video)
Diandra: Which of the songs from “Lovesick,” do you feel most embodies your confidence as an essence? Why?
RICEWINE: It’s funny because a lot of the songs from “Lovesick” and previous albums reflect my concerns and insecurities, and i think that’s why people can relate to them. The song Growing is probably where I’m most confident on the record. I’m slowly coming into my own, with each record,I produce. I can feel myself becoming more and more confident.
Diandra: In these pandemic times, how do you see creativity as a method of emotional stability?
RICEWINE: The current pandemic hasn’t really affected me since I stay inside all day writing music anyway (he laughs). I’ve just been isolating and staying close to family, while blocking out the unnecessary things. We are in extremely scary times at the moment, I just hope that I can provide some relief for others through my art.
Diandra: What song have you made that was born from turning pain into art? Which one were made from turning joy into a song?
RICEWINE: The song “Taken” was written during a time where I was feeling extremely depressed. You can hear the pain in my voice. I don’t really like being in a depressed state of mind when I’m creating though. There’s this weird notion that to make great art, you need to be a “tortured artist”. While there have been a lot of examples of extremely depressed people making beautiful art, it’s not exactly healthy for creatives to entertain this idea. Some of my best songs were written when I was in a very happy state of mind! A lot of the time I’m pretty happy and I think that is reflected in my instrumentals.
Diandra: Your music has been defined as “groovy” with its ability to meld genres. What do you think makes a song “feel good” or “groovy”?
RICEWINE: I think the most important part of a song is the drums. Rhythm was really the first type of music humans made; I think it’s embedded in us. I’ve always made hip hop beats since I started producing music, so the mantra “Don’t mess up the drums!!” Is always present. And a good hook! A good song always has a good hook!
Diandra: Music can be a spiritual, psychedelic experience.Do you think that, in being an artist, you become a totally different person or the truest version of yourself?
RICEWINE: I don’t think RICEWINE is really me; more of a superhero version of me. There are things I say in my music that I’d never say aloud. I think a lot of artists would say a similar sort of thing.
Diandra: Music is about observing people. What are some type of people you feel everyone are bound to find in their life?
RICEWINE: No matter where you go, there are gonna be people who don’t like you. Sometimes you can’t do anything about it. It took me a while to accept this.
Diandra: Singing to love and heartbreak, describe a moment when you felt lovesick?
RICEWINE: Everyday! To be in love is to be lovesick, to be alive is to be lovesick.. Love can be sweet, it can be aggressive; there’s a whole spectrum of feelings associated with it. I wanted to highlight that on this record; that it’s never straightforward. It’s not just romantic, you can find love in anything.
Diandra: What is one thing relationships have taught you about how you love and what you love in a person?
RICEWINE: Mostly to just be yourself and be happy with yourself before you start pursuing romantic interests. I love when somebody is just their self and doesn’t worry about what others think.
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