In Conversation With #196 - Strama
London based singer songwriter and producer Strama has just released her debut EP ‘Silver Lining’.
Sensual and stirring, the EP as whole encomapsses hopefulness within sadness. Each track on the EP touches on difficult topics such as grief, heartbreak and self-destruction, but with a message that there is a silver lining to every negative experience in life. ‘Silver Lining’ was written, recorded, and produced by Strama completely independently, and the sense of love, passion and dedication poured out of each song.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey Strama - so your new EP is finally here. How does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hey guys, yes it’s really crazy. Not sure if I’ve fully processed it yet haha. So mad to have 1 year of work accumulated to 17minutes of music!
It is called ‘Silver Lining’ - what is the meaning behind that?
I knew from the beginning I wanted this to be the title, I think it came before most of the music. The project narrates different normal life experiences people have eg. love, grief, losing friends, mental health etc. and each song doesn’t tell a very happy tale but overall there’s a silver lining to the sad and difficult moments people encounter, that’s basically how life is. But also up to you, I love hearing other people’s interpretation.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
It was all DIY, written, produced and recorded in my bedroom. I don’t have super fancy equipment and enjoyed experimenting creatively by using my limitations, for example sampling my cutlery to sound like percussion haha.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
My influences include Jorja Smith, Cleo Sol and Sabrina Claudio, I love their sound. Themes wise the project highlights different topics such as love, lust, grief, mental health.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP? If so, which one and why?
I think in the pre-chorus of ‘Silver Lining’ because it’s blunt, honest writing. A mix of anger, remorse and looking for forgiveness in one, when you mess up and you realise only after it’s happened.
“Talk shit, cut me loose
Now it starts accumalating, fucked up I hurt you
Only God makes no mistakes
Lost a friend needed you
Worst part is the truth”
If the EP could be a soundtrack to any film - which one and why?
I’m not sure haha, maybe ‘Silver Linings playbook’.
Now the EP is out there - what next for you?
Hopefully I will drop a few singles before the end of 2022 and stay tuned for any more performances. I would love to see you guys there.
