Upcoming Alt-Rock singer-songwriter Arabella Lucia recently shared the reimagining of TLC’s 1999 classic, “Unpretty”, ahead of the upcoming EP, due November 13th!
This rendition is self-reflective, turning inward to confront internalised judgement and the relentless search for confidence on your own terms. Channelling a sense of underlying, generational frustration, the track is built on layers of seething sonic intensity, with soulful, soaring guitar solos at its burning core, including an expressive middle-eight solo. Driven by crashing drums, thumping bass and Lucia’s effortlessly edgy vocals, the track retains the emotional heart and nostalgia of the original while delivering something fresh, fierce and born to be spun on repeat.
The song marks the announcement of Lucia’s forthcoming five-track EP. The collection showcases the versatility of her songwriting and centres around on reclaiming your power and finding strength in your own story.
Arabella has kindly taken the time to chat with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution regarding recording “Unpretty”, the upcoming EP, and getting to know more about the talented musician herself. You can find the full interview below.
Hey Arabella, thank you so much for this interview. Can you start by introducing yourself to readers who might be unfamiliar with your music?
Arabella: Hey Fierce & Fabulous! Thank you so much for featuring me!
I’m Arabella Lucia, the Rockstar Princess. I’m an Armenian-Canadian pop/rock musician based in London. I’m all about guitar-driven, catchy tunes that tell a story, and energetic performances that captivate audiences and get them singing with me!
When did you first discover your passion for music and realise it was something you wanted to pursue?
Arabella: I feel so lucky that I was exposed to music and the arts at a very young age. I was communicating through melody ever since I could speak, and I actually learned to read through my family’s old karaoke machine at home. Going to Armenian school, at age 4 I began singing traditional choir songs and was exposed to important cultural artforms like poetry and dance. My love for the stage grew and led me to starting violin, ballet, and finally discovering at age 6 that voice lessons and guitar were what I wanted to pursue and work at for the rest of my life. Music being so embedded in how I learned to express myself very quickly led me into songwriting, and my participation in The Voice Kids Canada solidified the passion within me that still keeps me going fearlessly down this path today.
How would you currently describe your musical style?
Arabella: I would describe my music as the perfect definition of pop/rock. I love how global, widely impactful and infectious pop music is, but have always been most inspired by great rock, alternative and punk acts that are guitar-driven and really showcase that undeniable full-band sound and energy. I see my songs as being a little bit of edge for the pop fans, and a little bit of sparkle for the rock fans.
You recently shared your take on TLC’s “Unpretty”; how did the idea for this come together?
Arabella: I’ve always loved covering iconic hits and switching the vibe and genre up to make it my own. Unpretty is such an incredible song with a truly timeless message that rings so true in today’s world of social media. From the moment the idea to cover this song was brought up, I knew this would be a special cover and there was no looking back.
How did you decide what tempo and emotional context to develop your version in compared to the original?
Arabella: I definitely had to hone in on myself and have a really clear idea of what makes a song undeniably Arabella Lucia in sound and in essence. Live performance with my band was a large consideration in the development of my version of Unpretty and thinking about the energy and tempo that would feel the most seamless amongst a setlist of my original music. In addition, giving myself the space to relate to the song and understand what it means to me helped me capture a version emphasizing empowerment and rebellion alongside the vulnerability that lays the foundation for the emotional context.
This release looks into external pressures that we face regarding identity and self-worth. What did it mean to you to be sharing this message with the world, and what do you hope listeners are able to take from it?
Arabella: We all know what it’s like to feel external pressure and it can be really easy to feel alone in that comparison and convince ourselves that everyone else has everything figured out. Sharing this message, especially as a confident and secure person, was important to me because we all go through periods of self-doubt. True confidence co-exists with the vulnerability of admitting that and the ability to not let those faltering moments define you.
This release marks the countdown for your upcoming EP, due November 13th. How did the concept for this EP come together?
Arabella: I’m so excited to be releasing my first-ever body of work. This EP follows me through my initial move from Montreal, Canada to London, exploring different experiences and iterations of being a young, multicultural woman putting herself first, craving independence, and leaning into the sacred intersection between power and vulnerability throughout the journey.
What are some of the things listeners can anticipate from this EP?
Arabella: Listeners can expect lots of guitars, a wide array of emotions, and a really great introduction to who Arabella Lucia is as not just a singer, songwriter and musician, but also as a person. It can be scary to feel seen but that’s par for the course as a songwriter, and I hope that by sharing these stories, I can give listeners a deeper glimpse into who I am.
What are some of your most memorable moments from the creative process of this EP?
Arabella: It’s so difficult to pick one, but the full-band recording days were so fun. Bringing the energy we would normally have on stage into the studio led to some really memorable sessions that brought the songs to life in a brand new way. I’ll also admit I had numerous giant chocolate chip cookies during these sessions that were unforgettably delicious.
What does this EP personally mean to you?
Arabella: To me, this EP really marks the start of a big chapter. It’s the culmination of work from my first years in London and the first glimpse into hours of dedication, hard work, life experience, growth and honesty. Each song is an important story of agency and survival that I really look forward to sharing with people.
Now, this is the part of the interview where we get to know more about the artist behind the music. Outside of performing, what are some of your favourite things to do?
Arabella: I will admit I have a difficult time switching out of independent artist work-mode, but some of my favourite activities that help me disconnect are luckily also things that help me as an artist. I have a lot of energy so moving around is key for me. I love strength training at the gym, barre, pilates and dance classes. I love finding new ginger shot & smoothie spots around town with friends, and exploring all the culture London has to offer from musicals to museums to restaurants to boutiques. Traveling is also a very big part of how I disconnect and I really enjoy hiking, skiing, animals and adventure.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Arabella: Energetic, Glamorous, Type A
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
Arabella: If I wasn’t a musician I think I would be a business owner. Independence is key for me and I have strong leadership skills, so getting to spearhead building something from the ground up would be really rewarding and is the closest thing to being an independent artist that there is!
What’s a random fact that not many people know about you?
Arabella: I listen to Renaissance lute music everyday. I’m very drawn to it and must’ve had something to do with it in another life.
What song do you always keep on your playlist and why?
Arabella: I always keep In a World of My Own from Alice In Wonderland: Music from the Score, Conducted by Camarata on my playlist. I know the entire score off by heart, but this song specifically can single handedly change my mood and brighten up my day. I love all things disney and all things princess as the Rockstar Princess after all!
Thank you for taking the time to chat with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution today. Is there a message that you would like to share with readers?
Arabella: Thank you so much for having me! I’d like all readers to know how much it means to us artists that they take the time to dive deeper into our creative worlds through platforms like this. Be sure to check out my music to feel both fierce & fabulous!
You can check out “Unpretty” on Spotify below or listen via further platforms, along with finding out more details regarding the upcoming EP here.
