OKTEHYA

Q: "4L" is your latest release. What initially inspired the song?
A: my partner at the time, he’d suggested i didn’t have enough ‘hits’ and had referenced a few of my unreleased tracks that he favored. we were at a happy point in what had been a very hot & cold relationship. i wrote the song for him. 

Q: What story or message did you hope to communicate when you first began writing "4L"? And did that meaning change as the song developed?
A: The meaning definitely changed. It was initially a device to poke fun at the toxicity of our back and forth relationship, we were “for life”. Despite all the fuck shit, we were always finding a way back to each other. Now that the relationship has fully run its course, it’s less about finding our way back, and more about the ways in which i’d exhausted myself over someone who’d always taken me for granted.

Q: Was there a particular lyric, melody, or musical moment that became the foundation for the entire track?
A: the song was really built around the idea i'd had for a title called “4L”.

Q: Who are some of the artists who have had the biggest influence on your musical identity?
A: Imogen Heap 

Q: When you compare "4L" to your earlier music, what does it reveal about how you've grown as an artist?
A: To me It reveals the development of my confidence and understanding of song creation

Q: What inspires you creatively outside of music? Books, films, places, etc.
A: I love reading, I love New York, I love taking notes on random things I see / notice / moments in time that I might be able to use later. 

Q: What initially made you want to pursue music, and what continues to keep you motivated to create?
A: It’s always been something i’ve done, the lack of opportunity outside of music and creative endeavors solidified this as my purpose

Q: How would you describe the evolution of your sound since you first began making music?
A: Much more exploration into sound and pushing the boundaries of my abilities

Q: Do you feel like you've already discovered your signature sound, or are you still experimenting and figuring out exactly what that looks like?
A: no, i’m 100% still exploring and evolving and finding a signature sound

Q: What is one lesson you've learned about yourself through your journey as an artist?
A: i’ve discovered how truly obsessed and reliant i am on music. 

Q: How do you stay true to your own creative instincts when there are outside expectations about your music?
A: i’ve dealt with this en mass for the first time recently. the best advice i’ve gotten is to stick to my gut and my integrity.

Q: What is the next milestone you're hoping to reach in your career?
A: To tour!

Q: Beyond releasing music, what experiences or opportunities would you love to pursue as your platform continues to grow?
A: traveling the world and helping to conserve our natural world 

Q: Finally, if you could leave a message for someone who's about to hear your music for the very first time, what would you say to them?
A: vibe out!