Get To Know Get To Know… Aziya

Fresh off the release of her debut EP, meet the alt-rock rising star.

7th July 2021

Hello and welcome to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… getting you a little bit closer to the buzziest new acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.

Recently we’ve met bedroom-pop star Sukie, The Lounge Society, Leeds quartet L’objectif, Manchester trio The Early Mornings, and now we’re introducing you to rising alt-rock star Aziya.

Fresh off the release of debut EP ‘We Speak of Tides’, she says of the project, “‘We Speak of Tides’ is my journey of trying to understand human interaction. Every track on the EP, in its own way, explores the intricacies, and often frustrations, of trying to get my head around relationships - how we can go from drawing in those we care for one minute to pushing them away the next.

“I’ve always been obsessed with how this human connection is so similar to the motion of tides. Just like relationships, tides can be calm one minute but explode into chaos the next. They’re unpredictable but always rooted in a familiar cycle that will always rise and fall.”

Full of sizzling grunge-tinged pop gems, we sent Aziya over some qs to find out a lil’ bit more about her.

Describe your music to us in the form of a Tinder bio.
I’ve never had tinder so I have no idea what that even entails / looks like! BUT what I will say is if you like Tame Impala, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and lyrics about how humans are really complicated; you’re probably gonna get into my music.

What’s your earliest musical memory?
Singing No Doubt ‘Don’t Speak’ in a Princess Leia Costume aged 5.

Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?
Prince - massive inspiration for me. He wrote, recorded and produced his entire album aged 17. I aspire to do a similar thing when I make an album.
Kevin Parker - He was able to lay down the foundations of psych rock in catchy tunes that anyone would like. Ask a Selena Gomez Stan if they like Tame Impala and they’re bound to say “Yes”. Even though it’s music inspired by bands like The Doors, Silver Apples and Led Zepp.
Rosetta Tharpe. For being the ultimate rock n roll queen who was a devout Christian singing gospel music too. The clash of rock and church, how interesting.

You’re in North London! What do you think of the music scene there at the moment?
I’m in East actually! I mean I love it here, it’s got so many little scenes, I love going to Shack (Shacklewell Arms) seen a lot of punk bands there. The only place that comes close to East is maybe South East… which still has ‘East’ in the name haha.

Are there any other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
ALASKALASKA, Dry Cleaning, Steamdown.

Who would be your dream collaborator?
Prince, said it before I’ll say it again. R.I.P

Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to this year?
I’ve been creating my own Merch which I’m so excited to share.. I’ve also just directed my next music video for the track ‘Marathon’ off my EP, I’m restless thinking about my next EP too ahhhh.

If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
Seeing rock music in a new light. Aziya’s light.

Tags: Aziya, Features, Interviews, Neu, Get to Know