Amid the pressures of an industry that often prioritizes perfection over authenticity, Aphrah’s latest single, Silhouette, serves as a powerful anthem of self-worth, body positivity, and embracing one’s uniqueness. Teaming up with an all-female creative team, Aphrah draws from her personal experiences growing up in the late ’90s and early ’00s to turn raw emotions into a message of empowerment. In this interview, Aphrah opens up about the inspiration behind Silhouette, her creative collaborations, and how her music navigates the journey from vulnerability to self-confidence, resonating deeply with listeners facing similar challenges.
Congratulations on “Silhouette.” This song tackles complex themes of body image, self-worth, and societal expectations. What personal experiences or turning points inspired you to write it, and how did it feel to channel these raw emotions into music?
As a teenager growing up in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, I was bombarded with magazines that only seemed to display a certain type of look, often accompanied by features on diet culture. At school, many of my friends were preoccupied with losing weight, which consumed much of our time and energy. Looking back, none of us needed to lose weight at all—it just seemed like something every teenage girl was going through at the time. As I grew older and navigated out of those turbulent years, I realized that our bodies are incredible gifts. I began to wonder what it would look like if we celebrated our differences and uniqueness instead of focusing on negativity. Writing this song was a gift that helped me process those teenage years and shift my mindset toward a much more positive and empowering space.
You collaborated with an all-female team, including Jessica Sharman and LANTA, with Rhiannon Mair producing. How did this collaborative energy shape “Silhouette,” and what unique perspectives did each of them bring to the song?
Jessica and LANTA created a really safe space during the songwriting session, allowing me to be completely vulnerable and share my story. They also shared their own experiences, which enriched the creative process. By discussing the big themes we wanted to address, they brought unique perspectives to the song’s content and the mechanics of transforming raw emotions into something with an ultimately positive message. Jessica was incredibly quick with writing chords and producing the demo as we went along, which was really motivating. Even the birds you can hear on the track came about because we heard them singing outside—I mentioned how much I loved birds, and she immediately went out, recorded them on her phone, and added them to the track! That touch became a significant element in the animation of the lyric video and deepened the song’s meaning.
LANTA was brilliant with melodies and lyrics, never hesitating to try different ideas until we found the perfect balance of honesty and replay value. Rhiannon brought so much creativity to the track, taking it in an unexpected direction that I completely trusted. I’m thrilled with where it landed because the upbeat tone perfectly reflects the empowering message. We had a fantastic few days in the studio as she built the track, adding production elements and instrumentation that I absolutely love.
Why did you choose to collaborate with a female team?
I’m really passionate about supporting other women in music, especially since women are hugely underrepresented in writing rooms and as producers. Given the themes of this song, it was important to have female voices authentically represent my story and message. There’s also a drum and bass remix of the song coming out on November 15th by Pyxis, and it was crucial to me to have a female DnB producer on that too.
Your music blends ethereal electronic elements with alt-pop sensibilities. Who are some of your biggest influences, and how have they impacted your sound?
My biggest influences are icons like Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell, both of whom have a unique artistry and songwriting style. I’ve also drawn inspiration from more contemporary artists like Bat for Lashes, Rae Morris, and Daughter. These influences have shaped my music, with strong female vocals, layered soundscapes, and rich textures at the forefront of everything I create.
The lyric video for “Silhouette” visually reflects a journey from inner turmoil to self-confidence. How involved were you in the creative process, and how does the visual storytelling complement the song’s message?
I was very involved in the creative process for the video. I collaborated with the wonderfully talented and patient animator, Sophya K, who completely understood the project’s vision and the song’s message. We had several meetings early on, and I thoroughly enjoyed storyboarding the video with her. It was crucial for me to visually illustrate the lyrics in an artistic way and incorporate elements from our initial songwriting sessions, like the magazines, teenage years, and the birds. I feel she beautifully brought those concepts to life, enhancing the song’s message.
You’ve mentioned that much of your upcoming EP was written post-pandemic and focuses on mental health and healing. Can you share how these themes developed and how they might resonate with listeners facing similar struggles?
The pandemic affected people in so many different ways, and I know some who are still processing it today. I wrote some songs just before, during, and after the pandemic, and I realized they all came together as a cohesive body of work exploring mental health. But they don’t just dwell on struggles; they also carry messages of hope, comfort, and healing. I hope listeners find solace in knowing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel if they’re going through tough times.
In “Silhouette,” you delve into body image, self-worth, and societal beauty standards while exploring the impact of mental health challenges. How did writing and performing this song contribute to your own journey toward self-empowerment, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?
Songwriting is a very cathartic process for me. It allowed me to talk about and process things I hadn’t addressed in a long time. I remember leaving that songwriting session feeling so empowered, like something had shifted within me. I hope listeners of “Silhouette” feel that same sense of empowerment and understand that they are more than enough.
If you could travel back to any musical era for inspiration, which would it be, and what would you do while there?
It would definitely be the ‘60s. There were so many breakthroughs in fashion and music during that era. I’d go shopping on Carnaby Street and catch a show at The Cavern Club to see The Beatles.
Your music explores some vulnerable yet empowering themes. If you could embody any fictional character for a day, who would it be and why?
Going back to my childhood, I would say Lucy from the Narnia books. She’s a vulnerable character who ultimately becomes a queen.
What’s a song, album, or artist you’re currently obsessed with that you’d recommend to fans of “Silhouette”?
Rae Morris released a new song called “Something Good” on the same day that “Silhouette” came out, and I’ve been loving her music as always.
If “Silhouette” had a signature scent or colour palette, what would they be?
The color palette would be black, white, and red, while the scent would be a blend of cinnamon, star anise, and fire.
You’ve collaborated with some incredible talent already. Who’s an unexpected artist or producer you’d love to work with in the future, even if it’s in a completely different genre?
I’m currently a bit obsessed with Fred again..’s new album, so I’d definitely say him!
