Words by Brooklyn Gibbs.

Have you ever seen someone in a casual capacity and caught feelings? Aya Yves shares her experience of what it felt like to have her existence feel completely disregarded in new single, Erase Me.

Aya, along with co-writers Ciara Muscat (Keeks) and Chris Chidac (Chi), went into a session and explored the feelings of jealously that go into overdrive and take over that type of situation.

FMM: Erase Me came out today! Happy release day and congratulations! I’m absolutely loving this release and am excited for the rest of the world to be able to hear this creation too. How are you celebrating the release today?

AYA: I’m going to see the Archibald Prize in the morning, and maybe head to Maroubra to get a coffee and tasty treat from the Grumpy Baker. A pretty chill day planned!

FMM: Erase Me tells the story of a scenario where your existence felt completely disregarded. What happened here and what was this like?

AYA: SO, funny story - I had been seeing someone and we both said it was casual. But, I’d realised I’d caught feelings when I saw them with multiple other people over the course of a weekend. I know we had agrred to being non-exclusive, but it still really hurt to see. The following week, I went into a writing session with Keeks and Chi and just ranted about the whole scenario.

FMM: One of the lyrics in Erase Me, is ‘I hate that I watch you erase me out of your mind.’ What’s the inspiration behind this lyric?

AYA: I think even in a non-exclusive relationship, there’s a level of respect that should be met, and I felt like I hadn’t gotten that. It was like I never existed and all these new women had taken my place. It wasn’t a nice feeling.

FMM: Erase Me explores the theme of jealously. What does jealously mean and feel like to you?

AYA: Honestly, I think jealously is a big indicator of insecurity and not having your needs met. At the time, it also showed me that I was more invested than I was letting myself believe.

FMM: If the person you wrote this song about was to hear this, what do you hope they take away from it?

AYA: It was a while ago, so I have to admit I’m not as hurt anymore, but I’d just hope that they wouldn’t do it again to someone else.

FMM: I’m interested to find out more about the imagery behind this release. Green is usually the colour associated with envy and jealously, but I’m loving the stunning red vibes you have going on here. Is this a sneak peak of something to come?

AYA: Funny you mention that, because I would usually agree, but I always envisioned the colour of this song as red. Maybe because it speaks more to the passion or anger aspects of a relationship. I absolutely associate colours with every song I release, and What We Look Like With the Light On was a deep burgundy. Erase Me is a bit of a transition song to me - I won’t say too much about what’s on the cards, but I’m seeing blue visuals.

FMM: So in saying that, what’s next for Aya Yves music?

AYA: I’ve been in the studio writing a lot recently, so definitely lots of new music on the horizon. I’m very excited to get a new body of work together and starting building a new, live show. We’ll be sneak peeking some new music next week [July 9] when we support Jaquar Jonze at Oxford Art Factory.

FMM: Is there anything else you would like to share about this release or about your artistic journey?

AYA: I’m really looking forward to sharing the new stuff I’ve been writing recently. It’s heading in a bit of a different direction, so I’m excited to see how it resonates!

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