An Interview with Arysa: Finding Inspiration Through Music, Art, and Passion

Arysa, (born Larisa-Georgiana Scutitu), is a talented 29-year-old Romanian singer and songwriter who began her music career in 2019. She made her debut as a featured artist on VIIIAIN's song "My Way." Shortly after, in 2020, she released her first solo single, "Ard". The following year, Arysa dropped her second single, "Marte," accompanied by a music video.

In 2023, Arysa released "Arunca-mă În Aer," a pop track with a touch of trap music. Last year, she came out with her latest single, "Autosabotaj," produced by her close friend and music producer VIIIAIN. Currently, Arysa is deeply engaged in creating new music and experimenting with different sounds.

Yesterday, we had the chance to talk to Arysa about her upcoming projects, her creative process, and more. Read the full interview below to learn more about this rising star.

BM: What inspires you the most in your daily life?

I am inspired by my life experiences, people, love, nature... I can find inspiration in everything around me. It largely depends on my mood.

BM: What does your creative process look like, from idea to final product?

It is quite unpredictable [laughs]. There are days when I find an instrumental that I like and start making the toplines, then the lyrics, until I feel it's done; and there are days when I write based on a melody that plays in my head. Then, I go to the studio and create the rest of the song with my producer, until that raw idea sounds like the one in my head. It's an amazing feeling when I hear the final result "in real life". Sometimes, I start with the verse, sometimes with the chorus...it's not an exact science. But, from the moment I start a song, I mostly know how the final version should sound.

BM: Do you have a ritual or routine that you follow when creating?

I usually make myself a coffee or a tea before work. If I don't have a song that needs to be finished, I search for instrumentals that match my mood or listen to my favorite songs that inspire me, so I can think of a story, or to set a mood, a feeling, a word that comes to mind quickly, from which I can start the creative process.

BM: Which artists or songs have influenced you the most?

There are many. From Romania, the artists that inspired me the most with their songs and their way of performing are Alina Eremia, Lidia Buble, Ami. And from abroad, Demi Lovato, Jessie J among many, many others.

BM:  Is there a moment or event in your life that profoundly marked your artistic direction?

No. So far, I have experimented a lot with the artistic direction of my project, which is mainly Pop, with various influences. If I can feel a song, if I can identify with it, I'll release it.

But I can tell you about a decisive moment that made me take the whole music thing seriously.

A few years ago, I was insecure about myself and my vocal abilities, and I decided to go to a very well-known singing teacher to try to "find my own voice."Her name is Maria Simion, an amazing woman and singing teacher.

When I met her, the first words that came out of my mouth were: "Hello! I'm Larisa. I cam to you to tell me if I can sing or not”, and we both smiled [laughs].  It was a funny moment that stayed with me through all these years. Then, I continued with singing lessons afterward. She defined my voice. I can sing as good as I do today only thanks to her.

Maria played an extraordinary role in my development as an artist. 

BM:  What is the project you are most proud of and why?

"Marte" ["Mars"] is the project I am most proud of so far because it represents a special period in my life. "Marte" is a very important part of me that I managed to express in lyrics, exactly as I wanted.

BM: What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the future?

I am working on a few new songs, quite different comapared with the songs I have released so far. It's a new vibe that better represents my current state of mind, and I can't wait to see the reactions.

BM: What do you think is the the role of art in contemporary society?

It's a very important one, for sure. I believe that art is what unites us all, no matter who we are or where we're from. It makes us take off our masks, feel deeply,  and it can be a powerful healer of soul, when we need it. Through art, we can preserve special moments forever.

BM:  What challenges do you face as an artist nowadays?

Quite a few, to be honest. It's hard to be an independent artist and not be affiliated to any record label. Everything depends on you. There is also an advantage in this, because you can shape your music and project the way you feel, the way you want, but you can't release your music as quickly as you would like, you can't promote it as much as you'd like... the video budgets are always a question mark..., because these things are so money-hungry, and an independent artist has less financial freedom than a record label. Therefore, your music has a limited space, you can't reach many listeners over night, at least initially. And the success of your project depends a lot on the listener.

BM: How do you find balance between your personal and professional life?

I've learned to keep a good balance between the two, I've started to work on a schedule, an order of my daily activities. I have learned to be responsible with my passion and take it seriously, as if it were a job. I set myself tasks and deadlines sometimes, and it helps, because daily life tends to take over so easily.

BM: What else are you passionate about besides music?

Dancing was my first love. I started around the age of 5 or 6. Through dance, I first learned to express myself, to feel, to release all my energies. I also got a choreography certificate. I've been dancin for a few artists for a while, and I still dance at all kinds of events. I have never stopped dancing.

Oh, and there's also painting, although I rarely have the time to paint anymore.

BM: How do you keep yourselg motivated and inspired through difficult times?

Motivation is a muscle you train, over time. It's always there, regardless of obstacles or difficult periods. Inspiration used to disappear in the past, because I wasn't sure of what I was doing, what I was writing, although I have rarely received any negative feedback, I was kind of sabotaging myself. This is where the idea for my last song, "Autosabotaj" ["Self-Sabotage"] came from. But I have learned to overcome this through work, through perseverance, and now, inspiration shows up much more often.