photo by Ryan Cardoso / @ryanac
The musically adventurous Aura first got in touch with me about a week back to submit to Gardenia’s & my Audius Discord show, Girl Powa!, where we also feature women &/or qpoc artists. What a treat to press play on Aura’s 2020 album, Understanding…, a curious & confident exploration of self that defies genres. It’s fitting that the album opens with “Who’s Aura?” (we are introduced & re-introduced to Aura throughout — she is “ever-evolving”!) and ends with a track called “Think 4 Yourself,” as this album walks the walk on just that.
There is something timeless and so soulfully free about this project and its creator’s flowing confidence that feels radical in a way I don’t hear often these days. As artists, we’re so used to hyperbranding every curated moment & representation of ourselves, all the way down to the music/our songs, in this very online world of 2022. Aura is an inspiring breath of fresh air, and after spending just a little time with her work, I’m sure we need her greatly in this new generation of web3 music.
Check out her “who is Aura?” NFT on Zora here, and her Aura Bananas NFT project here.
Aura was gracious enough to answer some questions for this official launch day of iridescent wave, and I think you’ll find her answers as honest as they are thoughtful. Read on!
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What work of yours has you excited & inspired right now?
my latest work forsure! i’m creating music that allows me to dance and have a good time ^_^ it’s a new era and an amplified confidence~~
What does web3 mean to you, and what excites you about it?
For me, web3 means new opportunities and systems, but also new challenges of course. I came into the space September of 2021 when community was really the talking point; i trusted we would work towards a sort of utopia and unlearning of our previous behaviors- so that we could truly be united in a way the world hasn’t seen in generations. That potentiality still excites me!
What artists/creators are inspiring you right now & why?
i’m loving Project Gurl, babyxsosa, and I just recently found out about Lady London! these three women write from their hearts. It’s pure
passion and great flow! doesn’t get better than that.
If you made 10 eth off one of your own created NFTs tomorrow, what would you do first?
i would definitely make a move to a warmer place. i operate best in warmth and daylight, i’d reflect on how to build my desires with this wealth and how to help others who i believe in as well.
Fill in the blank: I wish the web3 music world was more ___________________.
talented! if i’m being 100% honest. I believe that anyone can make music, but great music comes from Love, experience, + experimenting. Alot of the music nfts i saw when i first got in the space were not really Art in my eyes. the music lacked Life and flavor, but it sold just because someone was popular or cosigned. I want to see more original, lowkey and magical creations being valued. which is why I’m so happy that this and other web3 music platforms are being built! it might not always be easy to know who’s around in
the space, but as platforms continue to grow and cover/introduce more artists, it’ll give collectors and music lovers in the space a bit of a directory.
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xo C