This week I had the pleasure of meeting with Pose Retals, a singer/songwriter from Miami, who now studies music therapy at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Through her own music, consisting of two singles and one EP, and her features on Lumonest’s debut album, Pose brings her smooth and flexible voice to the R&B and soul world. Dreamy production consisting of classic R&B bass grooves and sweeping melodies gives Pose’s music an atmosphere of its own, allowing her voice, harmonies, and ever-changing flows to blend with the music. We wanted to learn more about Pose Retals’ time creating music and how she’s planning on progressing forward.
Here’s what we learned:
How did you get started in the music industry? How was your journey to where you are today?
I don’t really consider myself to be in the music industry, but I’ve been surrounded by music for my whole life, starting with my musical family. My dad used to be a rapper, he had a record deal when I was really little and so I was kind of always just surrounded by that. I think it really did help with my artistry, because just you know having family that supporting your art and your craft is an important thing that most people don’t necessarily have, so I’m just really thankful for that.
Did you have other career paths, or passions that maybe clashed with music?
I wanted to be an English teacher for a while because English is definitely one of my favorite subjects. I enjoyed reading, writing papers, and stuff like that. It’s kind of weird but that’s always been my favorite subject since I can remember.
What’s your normal recording process like?
I’m kinda weird when it comes like writing my songs. I never physically write my songs down, I don’t write them out or type them or anything on my note pad anything like that . I write everything in my head. I’ve always been that way since I was little, my parents always thought it was kind of weird, but I’ve just gotten used to it. Now, being at Berkeley, I know how to use garage band and other recording softwares so I can put my thoughts out in a little more clear sense. Hearing my harmonies and melodies better is pretty cool. I kind of try not to force myself to record anything, I let it come to me when I feel inclined to do so, because if I try to force my creativity it doesn’t really come across the way I wanted to. I’d rather just wait till I have a random burst of energy to write or record and everything just flows better for me.
Has your musical vision shifted at all since you started? If so where are you at now?
Yes, one hundred percent. I feel like it took a very long time for me to find my voice, and who I am as a person and as an artist, and just understanding myself outside of my music. At the school I went to growing up, I was never really in the forefront. I was never the center of attention or the person that people were always oh my gosh that’s Aijah, she can sing! I never really was that person. I was always really low-key in the back. I’m not really a cocky flashy person so I feel like now that I’m in college I have more of a sense of who I am. Time has taught me a ton and affected my artistry. Now, at twenty starting to find my sound and accepting my sound and appreciating who I am as an artist and person! I’m really excited to see what else changes in the next year and the year after that, because I feel like things are always shifting with me. I always tell people that I’m “constantly evolving”.
Who or what are your biggest musical influences?
My number one musical influence is Solange. One hundred percent. I always say she’s my musical mom, I love her so much. Her music, her visual artistry, just her mind set. I tend to idolize artists that kind of have their own genre, if that makes sense. They don’t fit into a category. So Solange, Erykah Badu, Lauren Hill, but like old Lauren Hill.
I just really appreciate artists who are crafting their own path in music. Moses Sumney is another one. I love his voice, his music, everything. It’s all very soulful, but it doesn’t fit into that classic sound. I feel I resonate with artists like that a lot, because I’ve never really fit into a box. I am not the typical singer who can belt and do runs(not to say that those things aren’t beautiful, because they are), but I used to compare myself to a lot of people like that, because I just thought that was the highest of the high, but I’ve never been there and now I’m starting to realize that I’m okay with that and I don’t want to. It’s not me. Certain people can do it, certain people can’t, and I’m okay with the fact that I can’t be that big powerhouse vocalist. I’m a powerhouse vocalist in my own way.
Who would be your dream to collaborate with?
Well, obviously Solange, because I said she’s my number one influence. I would love to collaborate with Masego! I love him so much. His music is crazy and I really respect him as an artist.
As an artist, what are some of your major goals in the next five years?
I probably see myself with a few albums out. I’m at Berkeley for music therapy so I definitely want to have my own music therapy practice, not sure if it will happen by then but we’ll see.
I definitely want to just be on the way to creating my own genre, just like my influencers you know. Focusing on where I wanna be and making music for me, because that’s really what I do. I don’t really make music for people, I’m just releasing anything that I feel and then people resonate with it and it works out. I think in the next five years I’ll just continue to do that and maybe I’ll have a bigger platform to share my voice with other people, we’ll see! I’m trying hard to focus more on being present in my life and focusing on where I’m at now, because sometimes when you set those really big goals for yourself, you can kind of get lost.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Do you have any new music or live shows coming soon?
I wish I had some live shows man! I’m trying, I need people to let me know where these performances are at because I really want to perform my music.
I just released a single called mngotree lullaby. It’s on all streaming platforms.
I definitely have some music coming soon, I’m trying to release another project. I don’t know if it’s going to be an EP or an album yet, but I’m working on that.
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