Odelet Talks About Her New Album “Raindance” & Details About Its Creation
Intro:
Detroit’s own Odelet is today’s interview artist, who has just released her album “Raindance” this month. Odelet’s distinctive style blends influences from across the musical spectrum, as she writes, performs, and produces nearly all her music. She has also teamed up with her partner Jack “Riddim” to create their production company Everlasting Tape, which launched in 2021. Some of the visuals for her tracks have even been presented at over 50 different film festivals. Before reading our brief conversation, make sure you listen to Odelet today below.
Me: What was the creative process like while making “Raindance”? How'd you get inspired?
Odelet: I just basically get inspired by building the rhythms. We try to capture spontaneous performances, first for the rhythms, then for the vocals. We don't really rehearse at all. We just write by playing, and not overworking things. Once a rhythm is there, I'll start listening for a song. Then I let it live in my head for a bit... then I go in to catch it in its simplest, earliest state. Then we move on to the next song.
Did you draw inspiration from any specific genres or artists for this release?
No, not really anybody specific... or yes, everybody. We don't think about genre or other artists while we're writing. We just have fun. That being said, in listening to the album, hopefully our love of soul and jazz, hip hop and funk, blues and folk, etc etc, comes across.
Additionally, how would you describe your overall current style of music? Has it evolved over time?
We have trouble assigning a genre to what we do... Surrealist RnB maybe?... NeoNeoSoul?... Lofi Jazz Siren Pop?... who knows. It's definitely evolved over time, and is always still, always will. The first album had a bit more grunge and folk in it, although still also jazz and RnB... lately a bit more old school hip hop production influence, and soul, and still jazz and RnB. Again, we just have fun.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from this specific project?
Their own uniqueness, specialness, power, and beauty.
That’s very powerful! From there, what was the most challenging part of the recording process?
The "Dub" remix album that's accompanying the release, "Raindance In Dub". Although I'd say more "heightened" than challenging... it's a performance mix of the whole album, done in a 1970's "Dub" style, and it was incredible to hear it come into being... but anyone that knows what "Dub" is knows it's very intricate... and a bit psychedelic... it's not an easy thing even to simply pay homage to. So that was challenging, and so much fun.
Where does your stage name originate from? Has it ever changed in the past?
Odelet means "little singer" or "songbird" in Greek. I was a part of several bands before that, but I've been Odelet for several years now.
Do you have any upcoming releases or plans that you're comfortable sharing with the readers?
Well, thanks to a heroic effort on the part of our new engineer, Larry Crane, we just dropped "Angels (Revived)" in April. Now "Raindance" and "Raindance in Dub" come out in July. Then we already have an "Angels In Dub" album finished, as well as a full-length instrumental record "Odelet In Version"... so there's a lot that's dropping this year. The Everlasting Tape visual art series is live now as well, so new visuals drop every two weeks on YouTube.
That’s exciting! And finally, in your own words, why should a new listener check out this release today?
Listen to "Raindance" to time travel to a different era in music, and to hear how powerful a simple approach to recording can be... Listen to "Raindance In Dub" to hear something unlike anything you've ever heard before...