MUSIC

INTERVIEW | Beca

Beca opens up about her Remixes EP and her signature dark dance pop sound

Beca - In Deep Love

Electro-pop chanteuse Beca just released her Remix EP, featuring house, electronic, and dance versions of the tunes on her In Deep Love EP. The tracks pulsate with visceral rhythms and trendy, polished melodies elusively tantalizing in both mood and sonic color.

Popdust caught up with Beca just prior to her jaunt to New York to find out more about her background, inspiration, and the Remix EP.

How would you describe yourself?

I'm feminine, strong, sensitive, and curious; a hopeless romantic, and most of all passionate and determined about making my visions come to life and creating something beautiful.

What's your "backstory?"

Growing up in an old house in upstate New York, I would hear music in the wind and the trees – I've been playing and writing music for as long as I can remember. After studying piano, voice, and various other instruments, I went to Juilliard for composition where I attempted to gain the largest sound palette I could. From there I started playing in bands around NYC and finally got up the guts to start my own project – I used to be quite shy. Once I discovered how much I loved dancing and being part of the nightlife scene, I realized I wanted to make music that moved others to dance.After doing the NY thing for a while, finishing my first album, and going through a really painful breakup, I was ready to try something completely new and decided to give LA a shot. That's been a huge blessing in disguise. I've met some amazing people who really believe in my music, worked on some really fun projects, and have had a lot of great times. And I feel like it's only the beginning.

What artists influenced you the most?

Artists of all mediums influence me but if we're just talking music – some of the ones who've made the biggest impact on me are Prince, Debussy, Aaliyah, Madonna, MJ, Janet Jackson, The Cure, NIN, Miles Davis, Stravinsky, Daft Punk, Hendrix, and Bowie.

How, if at all, do your musical influences shape and impact your music?

I'm sure everything I hear and see somehow seeps into my music, whether it's conscious or subconscious. Whether it's a certain type of chord progression, tonality, or vibe. Otherwise I'd be writing in a vacuum, which I don't believe in doing. I like staying open to all that life has to offer – both musically and otherwise.

Where do you find inspiration for your songs?

I find it in the people I meet, films, books, art, concerts, certain moods I'm in, conversations I'm having, experiences with others, and especially from love, connection, and the people I care deeply about.

How would you describe your style of music?

Someone once described some of my music as "The Drive Soundtrack exploding with purple diamonds," which I love, and so I'm gonna have to stick with that! It's a mix of dark disco dance pop with a splash of synth wave, 80's/90's flavor, and romantic sensuality.

How did your Remix EP come about?

Well I've always wanted to make a remix EP, and since a bunch of friends were asking me if they could do remixes, it kind of turned into a full-on thing. I know Caller, who's a friend I met through LUXXURY, super multi-talented human. RhythmDB and Alexander Orue are my boys from the NY/Miami dance music scene. A. Reddy and TomasNC I met at these amazing artist showcase sessions I attended when I first moved to LA. Lorenzo Molinari won this remix contest I held last year though Metapop. Slaptop I approached through another mutual music friend. To round it out, I asked Fabian (who co-produced the original EP) to create an alternate version for "Sea Of Sadness." And I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out!



Musically, what's next? Do you have any new projects on the drawing board?

I've been working on some exciting new collaborations with a few different producers/songwriters and some longer-term projects are percolating too. It's too early to talk about the details. But yes, there's a lot of new music on the way, it's just a matter of when and how I'm going to release it. I really want to make it special.

Any plans to tour?

I'm looking to get on the road sometime later this year, so stay tuned!

Follow Beca on her website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter


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Written by Randall Radic

"In Deep Love" is the name of Beca's latest music video and her recently dropped EP. The confluence of events bringing the song to fruition resembles something from Homeric literature. Ensconced in the cloistered halls of The Juilliard School, Beca focused on voice, piano and music composition. Feeling bound by her context, she found release in electronic dance music. Releasing two EPs on the U.K. labelThis Is Music Ltd, she was surrounded by heavyweights, like Findlay Brown, Morgan Wiley, Madeaux and Ashley Beedle.

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