For anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Arizona native and drum and bass producer/DJ Arietta in the flesh, her no-nonsense approach to creativity and the music business underscore her calculated, yet wholehearted approach to music. Combined with her 15-year training as a multi-instrumentalist and composer in classical and jazz, her infrequent-yet-essential contributions to the American drum and bass zeitgeist have been substantial. After spending quality time in the studio and with family, Arietta is back with a new two-track EP titled Coded Dreams, Pt. 1, a project with darker societal themes.

Arietta feat. Janel Blanco - “Silk Road”

Formerly of the Phoenix Valley but now based in Boston, Arietta has released a new two-track EP, Coded Dreams, Pt. 1, and “Silk Road” is the A side from said release. Featuring Janel Blanco from Phoenix-based omnigenre trio, The Maya Spectra, her silky vocals add great depth to this track that features some pretty grimy bass and glitch effects atop that classic DnB beat. If you’re dumb enough to think that these two women created a song about an ancient trade route, think again. “‘Silk Road'” is inspired by the dark web, and its impact on consumer freedom.” If you like what you hear, make sure to check out the Coded Dreams, Pt. 1 B-side, “Echelon and Tempest” over on Spotify.

Arizona-born producer Arietta recently dropped a strange and intriguing track into the American Drum & Bass zeitgeist.

In a more exploratory mood than before, “Silk Road” features vocals of Janel Blanco from The Maya Spectra, while also acting as the lead single from her punchy, new E.P. Coded Dreams Pt. 1. Deriving inspiration from the infamous free market of the dark web with the concept, Arietta utilizes the mystical quality of Blanco’s voice from the very beginning and jumps off the typical D&B bandwagon. After a series of synth and beats build up around Blanco’s vocals, the track erupts into a glitchy, matrix-esque digital breakdown, seguing in and out of melodic moments.

by Logan Lowrey-Rasmussen

While most of my relationships with artists are friendly at best, Candelaria Alvarado, AKA Arietta, has been a steady pillar of support and personal mentor in my journey in the world of music journalism*. With 15 years of classical/jazz training and work as a multi-instrumentalist, her passions have taken her to multiple creative avenues, be it in the form of an artist management collective, breakbeat duo, or a quick break to study electroacoustic art installation and ethnomusicology.

Since 2016, Arietta has reverted almost all of her attention back to her bread and butter: her successful tenure as a producer and DJ within the electronic sub-genre of Drum + Bass. I sat down with Arietta to discuss her recent set at Relentless Beat’s UK Thursdays in support of Dirtyphonics and Apashe, as well as her experience with growing her career in a male-dominated industry.

I had an incredible chance to sit down with Arietta herself to talk about her passion for music and how she grew into such an amazing artist. Check out our conversation below!

The inaugural edition of Arizona’s Gold Rush Festival provided attendees with a promising, diverse lineup including Arietta. The weekend spans from November 18-19, 2017 and features additional artists such as Shiba-San, Marshmello, Migos, Dillon Francis, Justin Jay, Lil Pmp, and Snow Tha Product. How could we ask for more? Arietta, one of the Drum + Bass scene’s most illustrious DJ-producers, will be joining Goldrush’s Wandering Wagon stage.

Arietta recently dropped an aesthetically pleasing video in collaboration with 120db Photography masterfully highlighted a day in the life Arietta through her musical outlet recapping her summer adventures and tour-dates throughout the season. “PIM”, her upcoming track, is paced with a pandemonium-filled line percussion.

You may have noticed Arietta, a Phoenix, AZ transplant on the elements dancefloor in recent months, or perhaps you’ve turned into her Bass Movement radio show on junglistradio.com. Well it’s time for her to take the stage and show us what she’s about! Opening set by Fox. Cover $5 before 11pm then $7. See you there!

Inspiration can become reality at the tip of a hat, or sometimes can much slower and arduous process. In drum + bass maven Arietta’s case, a rush of emotion and looking back over one’s shoulder can create enough material for a new DJ mix. If you’ve been keeping up with the mistress behind the boards, Arietta’s style and recent tracks have evolved to a point where most artists hope to venture sonically.

Although we always recognize Arietta for her large contributions to the Drum + Bass scene, she has been hard at work building a following of listeners with her Junglist Radio segment, BASS Movement with Arietta. While her current show highlights the contributions of local artists to the scene, Arietta will be launching a new segment entitled, “BASS Movement: Rise.” “Rise” will focus on a slew of international DJs who have made their cultural impact on various genres in the world of electronic music undeniable. .

On Sunday, August 26th, the “Godfather of the American Rave scene” known as Frankie Bones will be making his debut appearance on the brand new radio show. While Frankie tackled genres like techno, house, and breakbeat in the past, Bones will be throwing all normal conventions aside by performing an exclusive Drum + Bass set. This will be a huge surprise for fans who are used to his other material, as his impact on the electronic scene has spanned over three decades. While D+B might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think “Frankie Bones,” there is no question that the experience will be unique for fans and himself alike.

Meet Candelaria Alvarado in this week’s #IDSpotlight!