INTRODUCING: PA777IENCE
Known not only for their powerhouse vocals but also their songwriting and producing prowess, PA777IENCE has long been a much-respected presence in the Australian scene. Now, with the release of their debut EP, Mastery, PA777IENCE is ready to assert themselves as an artist to be reckoned with, a powerful voice in R&B that brings their queerness to centre stage.
Interview by PORTIA BRAJKOVIC
Hey PA777IENCE, HOW ARE YOU?
Hey! I‘m great! Loving the end-of-year energy and getting into holiday mode.
WHY MUSIC?
I’ve always loved music and always had a curiosity for it growing up. Music has also become such a healing tool for me, being able to express myself and communicate my feelings through music has helped me through a lot of hard moments in my life. My friends and I talk about a flow state feeling of when we’re playing music and just lose ourselves in the music; it’s almost like an out of body experience. Those moments of joy through music are another reason why I love music so much.
can you describe the pa777ience universe in three words?
Honesty, healing, transformation.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR ARTIST NAME?
I had a list of about 100 different names so it was such a difficult decision to make haha. A few people around me have described me as a patient person (even though, as an Aries, sometimes I’m really not!) but with those I love, I do have an energy of patience and care. I also like to take it as an act of manifestation that I’m constantly seeking to be more patient. I love angel numbers, particularly 777 as a number for the divine, and I see it as my angels looking out for me always. Som those 2 things came together really well for me to create a name that is honestly quite spiritual to me.
INSPIRATION CAN BE SOUGHT OUT, OR IT CAN FIND US. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I don’t remember it word for word, but I went to this random acting class when I was 16 and the teacher said something that’s stuck with me ever. She spoke about not being so serious with your work/career that you don’t have a life and you don’t experience relationships and heartbreak and joy and new things because at the end of the day that’s where your inspiration will come from for any artform that you do. That made me want to live life to the fullest and not take everything so seriously all the time because that’s where all my inspiration comes from - my lived experiences and moments that shape who I am daily.
YouR DEBUT EP, MASTERY, COMES OUT DECEMBER 13. WHAT IS THE EP ABOUT?
Each song on the EP represents important moments and feelings in my life, all the good and the bad and the in between. It’s about all the different lessons we learn and the hope that it will help us master this thing called life.
"I learned a lot about patience haha. I learned that things take time and the universe will always make sure to remind me of that! I also learned a lot about what it takes to put a project like this together because it’s been a time! A tough one but a really great one at the same time.”
— PA777IENCE, ON THE PROCESS OF CREATING MASTERY
What DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS USUALLY LOOK LIKE?
It varies a little depending on how I’m feeling, but my early stages of birthing a song usually start with an idea or a beat. Sometimes, I start with a melody that’s been stuck in my head for days that I recorded on my voice memos, and I build a song from that. Other times, I start with some nice chords or a nice sound I’ve found and build a beat around that for me to freestyle over and create some melodies. Some sessions, I work on lyrics I’ve written and base the whole song around that.
HOW DOES YOUR QUEERNESS SHAPE YOU AND YOUR ART?
Naturally, my art reflects my lived experiences as a queer person. I feel like there is no art for me without queerness because that really shapes who I am. I’m able to speak on things like love, friendship, family, storiesm and lessons all through the lense of being queer and I really love that.
Follow pa777ience
LATEST RELEASE INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY
YOU’RE ALSO A PRODUCER - WHY AND HOW DID YOU LEARN HOW TO PRODUCE, AND WHAT DOES THAT SKILLSET BRING TO YOU?
I first started producing on Garageband when I was 14 years old. I started to learn more about production through my Bachelors of Music, and I wanted to continue to learn even more so I went to a women/GNC production workshop out in Parramatta, Western Sydney. Learning production has really changed that way I think about music and I love having the autonomy and skills to shape a song and bring an idea to life. I grew up learning a few different instruments as well, which helps me produce.
What would we find on your spotify playlist?
I’m such an album/full project person, but lately you’d probably find a bit of Leon Thomas’ latest album- Mutt, FKA Twigs - Caprisongs, Doja Cat - Scarlet 2 CLAUDE, a mix of Tinashe and some of my go-to’s like SAULT, Cleo Sol, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan.
What DO YOU DO FOR PEACE?
Honestly, weed, music, food, nature, and good company. That’s how I find peace and centre myself. Each individually, but all at the same time is ideal lol!
WhaT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
My debut EP, Mastery, is out on the 13th of December and I'm honestly so excited for it to finally be out in the world! After that, I’m going on an east coast Australian tour for the EP, and already working on my next project which is super exciting. I’m hoping to play more shows this year, tour more, collaborate more, and just make some awesome music with good friends and cool people.