by mariah estran
photo courtesy of au/ra
The 18-year-old singer-songwriter Au/Ra gave the world her fiery take on the alt-pop sound with her new single, “Dead Girl."
If you took pop-centric roots and added a hint of darkness, “Dead Girl” would be the result. A tune that would find attention from Dua Lipa fans; while pleasing those who enjoy the gloomier beats of Billie Eilish. It’s a fierce release, one that shows her unique flair, and how she overcomes personal obstacles.
The title is more than a spooky reference. It’s describing the feeling of being out of place and possibly unseen. That visual came to life in her recently released music video for the track. In a zombie-like state, she walks around in a 3D-generated, dystopian universe. Once viewing, she can no longer be unnoticed. She’s here to invite you to her universe.
We got the chance to speak with Au/Ra about “Dead Girl.” She told us more about the track, creating the music video, finding her sound, and what she has planned next.
You’ve recently released “Dead Girl,” this nervy alt-pop tune that touches on feelings of being out of place and the anxiety that can stem from that. What made you want to share this story with your listeners?
Au/Ra: “I’ve felt out of place many times in my life, mainly just because of what I’m like as a person — an ambivert weeb. I didn’t want to feel guilty about who I was anymore, and I hated overthinking ‘fitting in’ all the time. The song explores those emotions. I just wanted to feel like I was unapologetically being myself, even if that meant being ‘dead’ to the people that don’t understand me.”
The music video for “Dead Girl” depicts you in an almost zombie state in a video game-type world. It’s very cool! What inspired this visual?
A: “I really just wanted to create some kind of undead outsider heroine with a mission to unite people who feel the same way as her. With it being COVID times, making something animated was the easiest option, so it felt like the perfect moment to create a video game-like world for her to live in. So glad we got to do it!”
What was the filming process like considering there was a mix of real footage and digital art?
A: “It was wild. Seeing everything build up from these stills and things we selected or designed, to an actual video game-like world was a dream come true for me (being a bit of a gamer [laughs]).”
You have this great sound that mixes dark melodies with pop elements that create a complementing softness. How have you developed your sound and who inspires you?
A: “Thank you! I think it’s just what I love creating. I’ve grown up listening to a mixture of soft pop and dark electronic music from what my parents would make and listen to around the house, so that kind of just inspired me too. The things I watch and read are also of the darker dystopian genre or anime, so those kinds of stories have inspired my lyrics loads.”
You’re currently working on a project that is set to release soon. What can you tell us about what you’re working on? What can listeners expect?
A: “It feels so weird officially talking about this — it’s been a long time coming — but yeah! I’m ecstatic. I’ve explored a lot of different corners of my sound, and I can’t wait to hear what my audience and new listeners think.”
Before the release of this project, can fans expect more singles?
A: “Hard to say too much, but yes, there’s consistently always something coming up. I’m so excited.”