Aruna Saves The Day Interview

 INTERVIEW 

5 QUESTIONS WITH ARUNA

"One of the most talented singer/songwriters around at the moment." TONY MCGUINESS, ABOVE & BEYOND

Aruna is not solely the pretty vocalist you hear on your favorite dance tracks she's penned a chart-topping single recorded by Miley Cyrus for the multi-platinum selling #1 Billboard Hannah Montana soundtrack, collaborated with some of EDM’s biggest names, and has added DJing to her arsenal of skills. Along with being a classically trained pianist and formerly sought after studio musician, it’s safe to say that Aruna is one of the industry’s most exciting and successful leading Ladies.

Hi Aruna, How are you doing? Can you tell us what you know about South Africa :P

Not much seeing as how I've never been there! I know that one of the weirdest bands I've ever heard is from there, Die Antwoord, and the woman I would like to marry as well, Candace Swanepoel. I also love the accents! I hope I get to play there soon.

1. You have a very interesting name, Aruna, as far as our research is concerned it is of Hindi origin. What’s the story behind your name?

It was given to me by my godfather, who's from India. As far as I know, it's from Indian mythology and refers to the God who pulls Surya, the Sun God, across the sky in a chariot. So loosely translated it means sunrise.

2. Now we have the story behind the name, tell us more about who Aruna is behind the name and how you got your break into the music industry?

Which break are you referring to? With most artists there's rarely only one, rather it's usually a series of "breaks" that build upon each other. At least that's how it's gone for me. If I had to name the most significant ones, it would probably be the song I co-wrote for Miley Cyrus and the track I did last year with Ferry Corsten, "Live Forever". Both very different in terms of the nature of the opportunities they presented, but both critical to my current success in their own ways.

3. You have had the honor of working with many well-known producers. Which experience stands out the most for you?

I really love working with Myon & Shane. I've worked with them on so many tracks by now, not to mention that Myon and I have had a very close relationship for many years, so it really starts to feel like a little family and I'm sure that feeling comes through in the music. Also when I work with them a lot of the time it's in person, and it's also much more of an equal partnership than it is with most other people I work with. Because we're usually working on tracks together from the ground up, I'm often contributing ideas regarding elements of the whole track, the chords, the voicing, the form, structure, not just the vocals. This is much more gratifying for me. As a trained musician who studied classical and jazz piano since I was 12, I have a lot more to offer than just that.

4. Female DJs in the “trance” industry are very under-rated, you are well rounded( singer, songwriter, producer and DJ), how did you start DJing, and where did you play your first gig?

It was Myon who first taught me. "Love at first transition" is how I would describe it, I was instantly hooked. That transition moment when one track is going out and the new one is coming in and together they make something fresh and new and different than either of them on their own, that to me was so exciting. I think the very first set I ever played was about four hours, I just couldn't stop. My first show was in April of 2011 here in LA at a club called Circus, co-headlining the main room. I was peeing in my pants I was so nervous, but it went over great!

5. We follow you on twitter and we know you are quite the health-nut, can you indulge with us some of your  “staying healthy tips”?

This could turn into a long article! I think a big part of it for me is the fact that I don't eat meat. Meat requires a lot of acid to break down. That acid then creates toxic byproducts that lodge in your tissues and organs polluting and taxing the liver and the rest of the body. After a while, it makes you look older and it makes you feel tired. Fresh, raw fruits and vegetables are so important along with whole grains like quinoa. I'm also big into digestive enzymes, flaxseed oil and also working out. I hit the gym at least four times a week, it's a great stress release for me. Lastly, when I do find myself feeling under the weather I instantly reach for the Emergen-C. That stuff is miracle powder, three times a day and I knock out almost every cold that tries to take me down. It's a must-have for the road, especially as a vocalist!