[INTERVIEW] Soaky Siren: Kombucha
Soaky Siren is a busy woman. The Grammy-nominated songwriter also finds time to release her own bangers as an artist as well, and how she pulls off both with such grace is a testament to both her character as a person as well as a creative in her community. I got to chat with Soaky last week to learn more about her process and what went into making her newest single, the towering, invincible "Kombucha". Take a peek below at our convo, and check her newest single as well:
KKS: This is legitimately one of the craziest, swaggiest songs I've ever heard. What was going through your head when you first got the idea?
SS: Ayeeee! Thank you - that really means a lot man.
I was writing with the producer - big up man like Shy Girls!!! - and he wanted to take a break and get some Kombucha. Coincidentally, I was in a space where I didn't want any toxic people in my circle; at that point my mind was blown by the way people move when you have a wave vs. when you don't. I was just over it - that fake shit is bad for your pH fam. Soooo we get back to the session, Shy Girls plays the track and I end up freestyling the chorus and most of the verses. Since the drink is supposed to help cleanse and detoxify, Kombucha served as the metaphor for me cleansing my circle of all the frauders and bad minded people as I collect my wins.
KKS: You've written so many hit songs for other artists, what made you want to keep this song for yourself?
SS: Everything down to the wave, perspective and delivery are so unique to me I couldn't imagine giving it away. Plus when my publisher - Katie Fagan - heard it she was like 'Umm, this is your single.' Her ear is fire so I didn't take that lightly.
KKS: Speaking of your songs for people, is there a song that you're the most proud of?
SS: Definitely 'Hey Ma.' The wins are always better when you get them with the homies and I got a Latin Grammy nom with them (T Collar, Johnny Yukon, Pip Kembo and Sermstyle). Also, my mother NEVER goes to the movies but she went and sat through the entire Fate of the Furious movie just to see my name in the credits. The cleaning crew came in and she was still in there lol.
KKS: How do you balance your songwriting career with your time as an artist?
SS: Lol balance? Issa myth.
KKS: How do you want your fans to hear this song and to hear you as an artist?
SS: I think a lot of people can relate to having to cut off toxic people. It sucks but instead of letting people disrupt ya zen, cut them off and go live ya most lit life. That's how I want my fans to hear Kombucha. If they get inspired to go out and buy some Kombucha - dope. Get that probiotic realness bew!
I want fans to hear that I'm an artist at my core; one that can take something as left and inanimate as a bottle of Kombucha and find a social commentary in that. I like taking creative risks so I often blur the lines between rapper and singer. No matter how I present my music the perspective is always fresh.
KKS: What are you currently listening to right now as a fan?
SS: The new Popcaan album is fire. Cautious Clay's Resonance EP is dope too - I love his voice and writing.
KKS: What should we expect next from Soaky Siren?
SS: Excess amounts of wave bro! The visual for Kombucha drops 9/14. The second single is a dancehall record and it's pure energy - that comes out in October.
I'm done with my EP and the project fires canons in multiple genres so there's something for everyone on it. Whether it's coming-of-age nostalgia, party vibes, struggles in life or even just eff boy struggles- it's all in there.
I'm so hype. The producers I'm working with (Shy Girls, DallasK, ROBOPOP, Bantu, Dr. Chaii) are all fire and they've done an amazing job at creating my urban resort sound.
tl;dr: more bops soon come.