LA-based singer and model Arlissa (born in Germany but raised in South London), has risen to international stardom as a pop artist. Despite pressure from her previous label, she now embraces her independence to pursue her sound on her own terms. As a proud bisexual, Arlissa is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and recently participated in Spotify's GLOW sessions, collaborating with various artists and speaking on a panel.
Arlissa has written and performed on “We Won’t Move” from the critically acclaimed movie 'The Hate U Give', BTS’s “Spring Day”, Zayne’s comeback hit “Flames”, and “Eyes Off You” for Ariana Grande’s soundtrack for Charlie’s Angels. She’s previously collaborated with Homeschool, Duckworth, Bartees Strange, Kiana Ledé and Jonas Blue. She’s ready now for the world to hear her at her most authentic and vulnerable debut album 'The Open Hearted'.
What’s the story behind your debut album, ‘The Open Hearted’?
It was originally called “The Broken-hearted”, but shortly after finishing it, I experienced two huge heartbreaks. The ending of my marriage and a relationship after. I had never been single and knew it was time for me to give my love to myself instead of so freely to others. I’ve never been afraid of loving others but never learnt to love myself. So I changed the title to The Open-Hearted, and it’s really about claiming and honoring myself and my feelings throughout heartbreak. I’ve always been so quick to put others before myself and invalidate my own experience to create as much safety for others. This album is about claiming my power as a human who has experienced hurt in a multitude of ways. And knowing love is never lost. When you find it in yourself again, it follows you everywhere you go.
If you had to pick one song from your new album to introduce someone to your new release, which one would it be and why?
I would struggle with to pick one song because the album is completely eclectic and each song shows a different side to me which is what I love most about it.
If your new album was a movie, who would star in it, and what genre would it be?
Laura harrier because yes. And it would be a psychological thriller cat and mouse game.
What’s the most unexpected place you've found inspiration for a song?
You can literally find inspiration anywhere. Nowhere is unexpected because writing songs is really just channelling from source energy and transmuting it through your own lense and experience…hopefully that makes sense.
What’s the most important lesson you've learned in your music career
To trust yourself no matter who tells you otherwise. You’re the only one who has to live with the choices you make. So make sure you’re making the best one that’s in alignment to what you’re trying to achieve. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The power to not over think. I think we would be limitless without our own self imposed limiting beliefs.
How do you stay grounded and focused on your music amidst all the attention and recognition?
I just do what feels good to my body and what pleases me. If you focus and put too much emphasis on the good praise, you rely on that for your dopamine and the moment you reach a dry spell or not as much praise and you expected you’ll be unable yo make your own dopamine. That’s why I just chill and do whatever makes me feel good regardless of what attention comes my way.
How do you balance expressing your personal experiences and emotions through your music while also connecting with a wider audience
- I just channel and write what helps me understand myself and my feelings, if people like it, that’s a bonus, but I do it for myself first. It’s the only way. Otherwise you’re chasing 10000s of different audiences because we are all so different, we’re not going to love everything so make sure you love what you’re doing first.
3 values that guide your life
- Choosing kindness
- Resting without guilt or shame
- And trusting my intuition
Tips for finding your creativity on a tough day
Don’t force it just flow, make yourself a nice snack and do something that you enjoy. If you can’t find something creative to do, celebrate the fact that you are creation itself and love on yourself. The flow will come when it’s meant to.
Favorite song/music to wake up to
At the moment it’s algo contigo by Rita payes and Elisabeth roma
'The Open-Hearted' album will be released on June 23, 2023.