The release of aeriqah's debut album, All We Have, is an important checkpoint in her music career, but the journey leading up to it was certainly not an easy one.
While working on the nine-track project over a period of five years, the homegrown singer-songwriter found herself wrestling with self-doubt and having to work out her identity as an artist.
"The biggest challenge I faced making this album was the imposter syndrome that came with releasing older songs that don’t quite reflect my current way of songwriting," recounted aeriqah.
What started off as a trial soon became a journey of self-discovery for her. With the support of singer-songwriter and producer Tim De Cotta, who produced All We Have, aeriqah emerged from it determined to have more faith in herself.
She shared: "I learnt that I have to trust and take myself seriously. The imposter syndrome often doesn’t let me take any credit, but I’ve been working through that and learning to trust myself as much as I trust my collaborators."
Her finished work is a testament to the transformation that she has undergone. A collection of tracks that "documents the cycle of loving and losing in stages", All We Have is a uniquely aeriqah album in which the soloist wears her heart on her sleeve and fully embraces her sound.
In an interview with Hear65, aeriqah opened up about the inspirations behind her debut album, talked about working alongside Tim De Cotta and Umar Sirhan, and reflected on the lessons she learnt while working on All We Have.
Hi, aeriqah! Congratulations on the release of your new album! What inspired you to make this record?
This record was inspired by the people I’ve had to learn to love and lose. I feel a tenderness for the people in my life pretty deeply and so when relationships come to an end, and we rarely expect them to, I take it all pretty hard. Luckily, I’ve had songwriting to help me move through every stage. These songs were written over a span of five or so years and so this record honours a younger me and a current me, both figuring out our ways through infatuation and grief.
"These songs were written over a span of five or so years and this record honours a younger me and a current me, both figuring out our ways through infatuation and grief."
There was a long gestation period for All We Have (the oldest track from it was written in 2017). How does it feel to finally be able to share it with your listeners?
It’s a relief! I think my listeners are relieved, too, probably. I’ve been performing some of these songs for ages, for people to come up to me after every show questioning why they weren’t out anywhere — and I know the feeling well, watching a show and being devastated to know I can’t relive the song. Though, I’m glad I took my time. I hold these songs so close to me and so getting them just right mattered. To put them out, now the songs aren’t just mine anymore, and I love that about releasing music.
"He (Tim De Cotta) brought the album to life by intrinsically understanding my taste when I did not have the words, then blowing my mind every single time."
What was it like working alongside Tim De Cotta? How did he help to bring the album to life?
It was amazing. We have a wonderful friendship and I believe that sense of groundedness and sincerity is in the DNA of everything we’ve worked on together. This record would not be what it is if we did not enjoy each other’s company. We’re both open to trying out each other’s ideas and being honest if they work or not. Ultimately, I trust him and his taste, so I was never too worried. He brought the album to life by intrinsically understanding my taste when I did not have the words, then blowing my mind every single time.
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How did your collaborative track with Umar Sirhan, ‘Maybe’, come together?
I initially wrote ‘Maybe’ to be a duet, but over the years, I’ve only ever been able to perform it solo, which is fine, but I believe making it a duet adds so many layers to the song. I wanted someone with a lower voice to complement my soprano range, and I brought that up to Tim. He excitedly suggested Umar Sirhan, who genuinely has one of my favourite voices. I pushed through any insecurity to say yes, and so Tim dropped him a message and within a few minutes, he was on board. We started recording it on my birthday, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend it.
Tell us the story behind the song ‘Déjà Vu’. How does it fit into the album?
‘Déjà Vu’ was written during a period of a new friendship. We all fell in love with each other pretty quickly though it was short-lived. This song marks a beginning, one where expectations are unreasonably high, before anything gets complicated. Every song is [about] a different stage of love and loss, and Déjà Vu is the initial meeting.
"I realised we could honour younger me while honouring my taste today. Suddenly, the songs felt new and fresh in a way that I understood them again."
What was the biggest challenge you faced while putting together your debut album?
The biggest challenge I faced making this album was the imposter syndrome that came with releasing older songs that don’t quite reflect my current way of songwriting. I realised it didn’t matter at all because while these songs were old to me, they were going to be new to many many people. Working on the production with Tim, I realised we could honour younger me while honouring my taste today. Suddenly, the songs felt new and fresh in a way that I understood them again.
What did you learn about yourself as an artist while working on All We Have?
I learnt that I have to trust and take myself seriously. The imposter syndrome often doesn’t let me take any credit, but I’ve been working through that and learning to trust myself as much as I trust my collaborators.
How was the reception to your new music at your album launch party?
It was genuinely one of the best nights of my life. It was my first headline gig and I didn’t expect to sell out the show. To look in the audience and know everyone there came specially to see me was a bizarre experience. People laughed, cried, came up to me after and affirmed me in my craft. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful night. I’m so relieved people love the new music as much as I do.
"People laughed, cried, came up to me after and affirmed me in my craft. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful night. I’m so relieved people love the new music as much as I do."
Moving forward, are there any themes that you wish to explore or stories that you would like to tell through your music?
I’d love to find ways to incorporate how I feel about the state of the world right now and explore stories outside of my own life.
Stream All We Have here:
