Critical Music concludes 2023 with a new drum and bass release by Ivy Lab featuring rising artist Seyaa. Released on December 22nd the short of 2 minute track seizes the uptempo break-beat’s while magically infusing Seyaa’s soft vocals. Respect My Region was able to dig a bit deeper into the ensemble of the track and creative project through an exclusive interview with the vocalist.
Seyaa started the interview by describing herself as a creative person.
“Everyone is a creator. I’ve always loved any creative activity, all forms. There’s a certain kind of feeling, a deep connection that drives me to want to channel and push myself in many directions.”
Image by Alex Casillas
It quickly became clear that music became Seyaa’s creative thing that she gravitated towards.
“We didn’t have much as my parents came here as immigrant children from the Vietnam war, but music and food were the pinnacles of my upbringing in Southern California. Music became the main vehicle for my creative expression early on. I’ve been singing ever since I can remember (literally in diapers). It’s a funny thought, but we’ve all seen those babies that can belt it. That was definitely me. My parents were avid vocal hobbyists so I always grew up around them singing. ”
RMR: How would you describe your creative vision for this project?
Seyaa: “Cryptic and existential while also having a connection to that emotional world that we all have inside. The bones of the track were made in my room fresh off the impact from the global Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement here in the US. For me Idols Fall encompassed the idea that we must remember and keep true to those deeper nurturing human traits. That the idolization of the things around us typically crumble and we have to fight to stay grounded in what we believe in. I think everyone has that kind of feeling of humanness because we all have the opportunity to feel the similarities of common needs. Overall I want people to find their own meaning in the lyrics.”
RMR: Working with Ivy Lab must have been an experience on its own. Could you tell me a little bit about that?
Seyaa: “Working with Ivy Lab was so cool! Gove (Kiado, Ivy Lab) originally reached out to me after hearing a demo I have with Tsuruda. When he talked about making a liquid DNB tune I literally screamed (after the phone call). I admire drum and bass deeply, so it was a very easy yes. When he told me I would be on Critical Music I was just mind blown. They are such an influential force and have been in the drum and bass game for over two decades. It was very cool to see how things move. I felt very welcomed by the Ivy lab and Critical Music team and super grateful to be given the duties to execute my part in the project.
Image by Lorena Andres
RMR: How would you describe your experience making this project?
Seyaa: “Exciting, a little stressful, learned some important lessons, and filled with a lot of gratitude. Ivy lab and Critical Music have a big impact and are a huge force in pushing the standards of music forward. There’s been a lot of love on the track also. It’s crazy seeing the track get played at big shows by some artists I really admire.”
RMR: Are there any other people that were involved in the creative process?
Seyaa: “Yes a few people were involved. When a visual concept was discussed I immediately reached out to Jordan Peña, Alex Casillas and Matthew Peña to be part. The three of them have previously worked on projects connected to Ivy Lab as well as working on various other visual projects connected to other artists and for their own individual personal projects. I feel very lucky to have been been to share this with them as they have been big supporters since I started.”
She explains that ‘Idols Fall’ is part of Ivy Lab’s two single release. The single she’s featured on includes a music video that was curated alongside other creatives that helped the vision come to life.
Jordan Peña an artist, director, and music producer from El Paso, Texas shot the music video in one take. “He really took on all the ideas that Gove and I came up with and created a simple flow for the team to work through.”
Alex Casillas a visual artist, photographer, and DJ from Riverside, California was a huge contribution to the project. He provided the studio space for artwork that accompanied the project to be shot in. Side by side with Peña, the duo “worked a lot together when it came to editing, co-directing, lighting, and setting up the overall vibe.”
Image by Alex Casillas
Matthew Peña a.k.a Frythm is a musician, producer, and artist also from El Paso, Texas. He “had a big part in capturing and editing footage for the social campaign. He was also on set helping the boys with whatever they needed.” concludes Seyaa.
RMR: What do you want to come from this project’s release?
Seyaa: “I just hope people like it and that they can connect and find their own moments within it. I do have a few more collabs coming and some other different projects on the way for 2024. Thank you for reading this and you can do anything!”
Connect with Seyaa
Connect With Ivy Lab
Instagram | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook
