A Quick Chat with Ariela Jacobs

Your new song is hauntingly beautiful. What is it about?

Water is about breaking the bonds with anxiety. It is about jumping into the depths of what scares you the most. Life is so short and unpredictable and it seems that facing and diving into your fears is ultimately more liberating than the comfort of control. It is a song about healing, renewal and reflection. 

What was the creative process with Water?

Water was one of those songs which really came without a great deal of practical thought. I’ve always found the creative process to be rather unpredictable in its approach, whether the song takes months to workshop or magically comes together within 10 minutes. Water followed the pattern of the latter. Whilst it may sounds cliché, I do remember I was having a strange night, and took myself to the piano at around 12am to explore my feels; the lyrics and melody just appeared with mild effort. It felt meditative, as if some other force was running the game.

What would you like this song to reflect about you?

The song is rather personal in that it summarizes my own personal journey with mental health. I want the song to be a continual reminder to myself and anyone else going through mental health struggles, that whilst things may feel difficult in the present, and change is uncomfortable, there can be safety and trust within ‘change’ too. Without change, there is no movement and without movement there’s just sameness. And whilst I am not trying to minimize or dismiss the heavy, things do have the capacity to shift, if you hold a little faith.

Do you have any live shows coming up?

For now, shows have been put to the sideline. But intimate piano ballad gigs are being organized for early next year.

Is this song a part of a bigger project?

Water is an isolated release from the other pop-projects I am delving into, but it will definitely

bridge or act as a prelude to the next release which is slightly brighter in context and tone.

What have been some of the biggest challenges for you in the past two years as a musician in Australia?

The pandemic was an absolute bummer for the creative arts industry and I can’t say it was easy. At the best of times, it felt like falling off the face of the earth. Yet, there were quite a few positives that I was able to take out of the chaos that was. Paradoxically, there was beauty in slowness. As an introvert, the isolation from the madness of the industry felt somewhat productive and rewarding. I had more time to just be and write without expectation and or outcome; the quiet provided me time to develop my craft.

What are your main goals for the remainder of the year?

Simple goals. Nothing fancy. Just planning on releasing a few more singles and finding my feet again in the industry which felt lost for so long.

Sonically, you have an incredible vocal, what artists have influenced you and your sound?

Thank you! I grew up listening to a lot of sixties music, such as Simon & Garfunkle, Carole King and Joni - curtesy of my folks. Yet, I can unapologetically admit that I spent my primary and high school years listening to Gavin Degraw on my Walkman. I was and still am very influenced by very traditional, classic old school pop ballads – Leanne Rhymes, Vanessa Carlton…and why would I hide this? Currently though, I have been listening to artists such as Lucas Fogale, Jensen McRae and Lizzy McAlpine.

If you had to live off of one toasted sandwich and drink combo, what are we talking about here?

This isn’t really my jam. Can we change it to a toastie with soup? The drink is now the soup.

You have incredibly been given the opportunity to sing with some huge acts and on some big

songs. Who else would you like to collab with?

Seriously, any of the aforementioned artists would be absolute bliss.

If you could have three words to describe the direction and destination of Ariela Jacobs what would it be?

Change, growth and self-acceptance.