Happy Never After with RARIA - a Q+A
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‘One of Australia’s most under-rated pop artists’ (according to Refinery 29) RARIA has worked with American singer-songwriter Dempsey Hope on her latest single ‘Happy Never After’ and writer Miranda Evans got to ask her some questions.
Where did it all begin? How did the name RARIA come into existence?
I have been performing under the name RARIA for over three years now, although I’ve been kicking around the music scene since I was 15 years old. I’ve always known that music would be an important part of my life from a very young age and it has only ever been the one thing I’ve known I wanted to do! I wanted to switch up my sound a couple of years ago and that then led to this new chapter as RARIA.
Honestly, the name RARIA only came about when I was naming this new project. I was trying to Google some Italian names that started with the letter R but I was unsuccessful!!! So I took the name Maria, took the ‘M’ off and replaced it with an R and there I had it, “RARIA”.
Describe your sound. What have your biggest influences been in your style (music, video, or fashion)?
My biggest influences in music would have to be Julia Michaels, Tate McRae, Jeremy Zucker and Lauv! I love their sound and their ability to tell a story. I’ve always loved the 80s 90s fashion and recently I’ve been into Y2K a lot, but I love anything old school that reminds me of when I was growing up and it’s been so much fun to incorporate some of those themes into my music videos.
We’re loving the release of your latest single ‘Happy Never After’ with Dempsey Hope! You’re open about the ups and downs of your love life as inspiration for your writing, why is such raw authenticity so important for your music?
I feel like there is a lot of the same ‘stuff’ out there and if you’re not being authentic you can kinda just get lost in the pop world. Not to mention, I wanted to become a music artist to connect with people through my music, and people tend to connect more when you’re just being real and open and honest.
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What’s it like to have your music go global? And if you could pick anywhere in the world to perform, where would it be?
It’s such a beautiful feeling to see people from all around the world sharing my music because as an artist that’s all we ever want at the end of the day, music is a universal language. And if I could pick anywhere to perform.. it’d be in Sicily, Italy! It’s my favourite place I’ve been to in the world, it’s where my family originated from and it feels like home.
Tell us the best and worst (or scariest) parts of being on stage.
The best part about being on stage is seeing people mouth the words to your songs back to you and it’s just such a surreal feeling that people know your lyrics… even though you can see how many streams a song has online, sometimes it doesn’t feel real until you see somebody singing back to you at a live show.
For me, the scariest part about being on stage is talking to an audience between songs. I don’t know why talking is a lot harder than singing! I’m starting to get the hang of it but it’s just something I still find a little bit tricky.
What is the ideal scenario we should be in to listen to your music?
Think in the car, at the beach, pres, at a solo dance party in your room… or at 3 am when you’re having an emo moment missing your ex.
Let’s pick a few favourites…
Track to get you grooving: RARIA & Dempsey hope - “Happy Never After”
Outfit to make you feel on top of the world: Mini skirt, cropped checkered sweater, knee-high black boots, :)
Coffee in Melbourne: Anything decaf ‘cause ya girl has anxiety
Op shop find: Found a cute pug key ring, such a win!
Music video you’ve made: “Kill You Boy”
A place that makes you feel at home: Woolies in my hometown
Is there anything else we should know about the wonderful world of RARIA?
I kind of overshare in all of my songs so I guess anyone who listens to my music would know a lot about me already hehe. But I’m so excited for my upcoming pop-up show in Melbourne, on 4 June 2023. Come say hi at @thatgirlraria for more info or to come and say hey :) There’s also lots more music coming this year that I can’t wait to share! Yay!
You can buy/stream ‘Happy Never After’ here.
