Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Domiziana

THE RELEASE

Domiziana, a 26-year-old Italian-born, London-based queer singer-songwriter, thrives in the fluidity of identity and artistry. When asked about who they are or aspire to be, Domiziana often responds with a captivating paradox: "I'd love to be everything and nothing at all, with everything in between." This essence of boundless exploration and self-expression finds its reflection in her music. Her songs transcend boundaries, standing wherever Domiziana herself stands, embracing a genre-blending and fluid approach that captures the unpredictability of life, love, and desire.

Imagine a world where love and desire dance to their own rules, and the freedom they bring is truly liberating. 'So Bored,' track number five from Domiziana's latest album, 'Bubble Pop,' does just that. This genre-blending masterpiece celebrates the unpredictable nature of chemistry and attraction. It seamlessly blends contemporary trap drumbeats and bass 808 with early 2000s-inspired vocals and samples, all enveloped in a seductive jazzy atmosphere carried by ever-present piano riffs. The song's moody dynamics beautifully reflect the emotional rollercoaster of the lyrics, offering a fresh perspective on the uncharted territory of love and desire.

THE INTERVIEW

If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?

My musical inspirations have been shaped by a combination of my parents' music taste and my own curiosity. My mother's music preferences had a significant influence on me. She introduced me to the powerful vocals of Anastacia, one of the first artists I remember obsessing with, Aretha Franklin who exposed me to soul and R&B, and Giorgia, Italian singer in the 90’s-2000’s pop and contemporary music scene. However, my all-time big inspiration, Etta James, transcends any particular genre. She was a versatile artist, seamlessly blending blues, R&B, soul, and even rock elements into her music. Etta's voice and emotional depth have always resonated with me, and her ability to cross boundaries within the music world has had a profound impact on my own approach to creating music. I've drawn inspiration from her ability to convey raw, genuine emotions, and that has significantly shaped the artist I am today.


Were there any specific experiences or events in your life that influenced the song's lyrics?

The lyrics of 'So Bored' were heavily influenced by a specific experience and a moment of self-realisation in my life. The initial idea behind the song was the story it was going to tell, and everything else fell into place from there. When I began writing the lyrics, I was seeing a person. We had mutually agreed that nothing serious or romantic would come out of our relationship. It was one of the first times I consciously set boundaries within a 'situationship,' and that empowered me in ways I hadn't expected. However, as time passed, I found myself grappling with emotions, those familiar butterflies in my stomach, and a constant preoccupation with the person. I was checking my phone more frequently, calculating the minutes that had elapsed since their last reply, and I realised that I was falling into a familiar pattern. Then, it hit me. I was investing a considerable amount of valuable time in what ultimately felt like trivial matters. I had unintentionally spiralled into the same cycle I was trying to avoid by establishing those initial boundaries. This was a recurring pattern in my life; my body seemed to have a habit of reacting in this way. I decided that I wouldn't allow myself to be caught in this loop again, and I began analysing what was genuinely happening within me. The conclusion I reached was that there was no romantic connection; it was about me liking the attention and the idea that this person liked me so much that could be interested in crossing those boundaries. It was a realisation of a toxic pattern. I also discovered that I didn't actually like the person for who they were with me but for their life philosophy, which I selfishly wanted to emulate. Ultimately, I was spending so much time thinking about this person because I was using it as a distraction from focusing on what I needed to do in my own life. The lyrics, 'we don't have to try,' convey the message that sometimes we force relationships that shouldn't be forced simply because of fleeting romantic emotions. It's essential to prioritise ourselves, always.

Can you share any interesting anecdotes about the song's development with your co-writers or producers?

The development of 'So Bored’ was quite an interesting journey filled with experimentation and trust in our creative process. It all began with a unique starting point - the distorted double bass sound, which served as the foundation of the song. We wanted something intriguing and different, and that bass-line set the tone. As we delved into the songwriting process, we found inspiration in the melodic verses, influenced by Robert Glasper. It was a style that felt representative of what my producer and I typically create. In fact, the song's first demo file on my laptop was humorously named 'Easy but not too Cheesy' because we wanted to strike a balance between accessibility and artistic depth. As the song continued to develop, my producer had a wild idea, something I had never seen from him before. It was a moment of creative divergence, but I trusted him completely, and that pushed me to embrace a new level of creative freedom. 'So Bored' became the first evident sign of experimentation and contrast within 'Bubble Pop.' Initially, we thought we were just having fun, almost making something cringe-worthy and trashy, but to our surprise, we really liked it. We realised this was a sign of potential, a seed we could nurture. After some time, the song matured, and I came up with another chorus that my producer couldn't quite grasp at first. But it was his turn to trust me, and now he's absolutely obsessed with it. What truly elevated the song was the fact that we found ourselves agreeing on the many references that ended up shaping the final picture. It was as if the circle closed itself.

What was the biggest takeaway or lesson you learned while creating this song?

The most significant lesson I learned while creating 'So Bored' was the importance of embracing my own creativity without fear or hesitation. It was a moment of reaffirmation where I had to come to terms with the fact that, ultimately, I don't care about conforming to what people or the industry might dictate I should be writing and producing. Once I moved beyond those external expectations, I felt a sense of freedom like never before. The process of writing this song allowed me to dig deeper into the story I was telling, but what's truly remarkable is that I gained insights into myself from myself. It's incredible how songwriting has this magical way of revealing hidden facets of one's own identity. This experience reinforced the idea that true creative freedom and authenticity are incredibly liberating. I believe that, as an artist, staying true to your unique voice and vision is the key to creating music that resonates with both yourself and your audience.‏

How has your recent growth as an artist influenced the direction of your future work?

Creating this album has been a transformative experience for me as an artist, and it has had a profound influence on the direction of my future work. It taught me the invaluable lesson of accepting and presenting myself as an artist to the world with confidence. It provided the necessary foundations upon which I now stand proudly. This journey of making the album has significantly broadened my approach to music-making. It shattered many unnecessary self-imposed limitations that I had previously set for myself. Now, I find myself eager to experiment even more, to push the boundaries, and to explore new musical territories. The newfound openness I've embraced in my creative process has me incredibly curious about where it will lead me. I'm genuinely excited about the future and the artistic possibilities it holds. I feel a sense of freedom and boundless creativity, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. It's a thrilling and liberating phase in my career, and I'm eager to share what comes next with my audience.

KEEP UP WITH DOMIZIANA BELOW: