Rawlanda On the Making Of “Paranoid”
What was the creative process like for this particular single?
I really vibed on the beat and just sang. I went through some things personally during this time and I had a lot of creative energy flowing through me.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for "Paranoid" to life?
I produced my own track. With the help of the engineer at ProSounds, it was pretty easy to voice what I wanted and they placed sounds where I needed them to be. It was crazy because I recorded around 9 songs in 4 hours this session.
What impact do you hope this song will have on your audience?
I ultimately want to tell a story with everything I do. I want the audience to feel what it's like to unknowingly be the "other woman". How much it can hurt. How much it can make you cautious.
How has studying at Wesleyan College made an impact on your music career?
At Wesleyan, I learned how to play piano with Drs. Gan and McGhee. The theory behind it all and the skill of playing is what I use on the daily when I produce music. Taking voice and countless theatre and dance classes helped me become a better performer, which is very handy when entering any entertainment industry.
What's your favorite part about performing live? How do you connect with your audience during a performance?
I actually performed national anthems a quite a bit at Wesleyan and since undergrad, have performed songs around Columbus at specific events, churches, schools, and even funerals. It always feels electric and I never actually notice the crowd when I'm in the zone. I'm taken somewhere else. I am a Christian and singing at funerals is always hard for me, especially when I know the family of the bereaved. It is still a special moment that I cherish nonetheless. I love that someone who listens always comes up afterward to offer words of encouragement and/or praise. I know I make an impact that way. Coming from a world of theatrical performances, connecting with an audience is never hard for me, however, making sure every direction in the audience sees and hears me clearly is always a great start.
