“golden girl”
Aria is 16 years old and lives in Santa Barbara, California. I had the pleasure of meeting Aria when we ended up at the same middle school for 6th grade. When I met her, the first thing that we immediately bonded over was our passion for singing and music. Her talent always amazed me. She had the ability to whip out a guitar or ukulele at ease and sing like an angel. I know that Aria has been practicing and perfecting her talent since a very young age. This is exactly why I thought she would be perfect to interview this week for my blog. Here is the story of Aria Howe:
Q: How old were you when you started singing?
A: As long as I can remember, but probably since I was like 2 years old.
Q: Which musical artist inspires you the most and why?
A: I’d say Billy Joel because i’ve grown up listening to his music and he is such a good songwriter and piano player and I saw him in New York at Madison Square Garden and it was just amazing and he’s in his 60’s and he’s still playing live.
Q: How old were you when you really began to take music seriously?
A: In the last 3 years i’ve definitely grown a lot in my guitar playing and my range in my voice. I also started playing live in the last year and it’s definitely something i’ve gotten more serious about this over the last couple of years and something I’m going to pursue now and in the future.
Q: Do you ever write your own music?
A: Yes! All the time. I tend to write snippets of songs and occasionally I finish a song but i’m always playing piano and singing improv and record it on my phone and go back to it and learn it and add more to it.
Q: What do you find yourself writing about the most?
A: Mostly things that us as humans experience emotionally. I really write songs so that everyone can articulate them in their own way and have their own feelings about them.
Q: So far, what have been your biggest accomplishments when it comes to music?
A: Well, i’ve played in front of a hundred people before and i’ve also opened for my Dad’s band and recorded on his album. If it wasn’t for Coronavirus I would have played at the Chalk Festival at the mission.
Q: What does music mean to you, and why is it such a big part of your life?
A: Music to me means being able to express yourself through words that are easier to sing sometimes. It’s such a release and very therapeutic. Music is such a big part of my life and also has and always will be. Music is a healer and helps me and all of us get through the dark parts of life.
Q: If you could collaborate with any musical artist, who would it be?
A: Probably Morrisey from the Smiths. He’s a great songwriter and i’ve always loved his music. It would be an honor to collaborate with him.
Q: Which genre of music do you find yourself the most attracted to?
A: That’s a hard one because I listen to pretty much anything and everything but if I had to put it into a genre, probably indie rock/ indie pop.
Q: Which instruments do you play and which do you find the most useful?
A: I play mostly piano and guitar, but I also play drums and I am learning Cello. I feel like guitar and piano are the most useful and easiest to play.
Q: If it wasn’t music what would you be pursuing?
A: Spiritual Psychology!!
for the record 