N: Who is Araphel the Sun?

A: I am a producer and multi-instrumentalist from Houston. I do a lot of psychedelic work, electronic works, trip hop, and hip hop.  I want to represent to the people the freedom to be. Araphel the sun is the freedom and ideas to be whatever you want and live your truth to your highest capacity.

N: What is the meaning behind your name?

A: The literal meaning is “heavy cloud” or “deep darkness”. My meaning behind it is a combination of that meaning, and an additional one. Araphel the Sun means heavy, dark light and that represents the light in the darkness.

N: What got you into producing?

A: Originally I was in a band called “Line Zero” and I played guitar and did vocals, but no one besides the drummer and I ever took it serious. I ended up getting really frustrated with my other band mates who did not practice while having an increasing interest in electronic music. This led me to make the jump to going solo and to follow in the example of some of my biggest inspirations Prince, Trent Reznor, Gackt, and Tricky. I started out really into house music, but later as I got better I made a 180, and started combining traditional instruments with synths and samplers. I don’t really see myself so much as a producer, but more as an artist due to the vision of where I want to take my music.

N: For you, is there a thought process or methodology that goes into making a beat?

A: I create whole concepts and themes for my music if I am going to work on a project or an instrumental. I don’t typically wonder into the world and find inspiration the way like one may expect. The inspiration for me comes from meditating and internalizing events and capturing a moment. I tend to start off thinking if I made this part of my life a show what would it sound like, and what is the picture I would like to paint.

“I am not too easily annoyed, but I think it is noticeable a lot of artist have grown a bit jaded and are not as humble these days. Everyone wants to point the finger at Hip-Hop, but I don’t think it is Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop can be one of the most humbling forms of music, but I think sometimes it is easy for us as artist to forget we are the painters, and not the painting.”

N: What are some are some of your worst pet peeves as a producer?

A: My pet peeves are trend followers and the uppity people who I feel have invaded art by social media. I am not too easily annoyed, but I think it is noticeable a lot of artist have grown a bit jaded and are not as humble these days. Everyone wants to point the finger at Hip-Hop, but I don’t think it is Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop can be one of the most humbling forms of music, but I think sometimes it is easy for us as artist to forget we are the painters, and not the painting.

N: Tell us about the new EP you are working on?

A: I am working on a new EP called “Kings and Saints” which will be a lot different from my past EPs. In the past I had a lot of instrumentals, and they were more hip-hop and electronic style. This EP is going to be something different with more vocals, and a few guest. The inspiration of it is the current state of America with undertones of spirituality, history, and duality that we all face within ourselves and the world.

N: What do you want people to feel on this new project?

A: I want people to be taken to another place by the album, but beyond the trip I want people to feel relieved. I want it to be something you feel like being yourself to in your deepest moments like driving home alone, intimate moments with a lover, in your darkest hours, or driving in a car with friends after the sun has gone down. I want the music to speak to the truest and purest noise throughout the listener and be a light in the darkness. A warm feeling inside when its dark outside.

N: What are your thoughts on Houston’s electronic/ pop scene?

A: I think it has potential like a lot of Houston music scenes. I think we could be a music city in the future if our minds shift from supporting artist only when they are major. We have a lot of talented artist as well as a lot of people following trends. Travis Scott has a lot of electronic elements in his music, and I’d like to see more shine on those experimenting like him. I think we have had enough pop acts and electronic acts trying to make the next club banger, and that we need more artist brave enough to be themselves. I truly believe if we unite here we won’t have to go to Austin or other places.

Araphel Interview with New Houston Music Outlet

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Follow Araphel @arabothsun

arabothsun.bandcamp.com