Raphaella

Singer/Songwriter/Producer — London

01Profile

A Raphaella Photo

03Interview

What’s your name?
It’s Raphaella... and I’m gonna stop there, otherwise it’ll be the length of the interview…I’m Persian

Where are you from?
North London, Whetstone…nobody has ever heard of where I’m from, it’s like North of the wall Game Of Thrones style.

What do you do?
I am a singer, songwriter and producer

Describe your style in 3 words?
Persian, synth, fiesta

How should you music be listened to?
Anywhere to be honest, because I think music should just grab you wherever you are as long as you hear it and feel it - anywhere in the world.

What do you miss about home when you are on tour?
Definitely my Mum’s cooking. She went to catering school so I have absolutely no chance when I’m around her… she cooks a feast.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
James Blake - I’m obsessed with him and everything he does.

04Playlist Notes

What is the first song you played on repeat?
Probably ‘Dirty Diana’ by Michael Jackson.

A song from your favourite album?
‘Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough’ from Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’. 37 years after its release, and I still haven’t had enough. haha.

Song you wish you had written?
Every single Michael Jackson song. The fact that just by the first kick and snare, you know that it’s a Michael Jackson song is incredible. He’s also one of the few artists who has iconic instrumental hooks as well as vocal hooks, not to mention they are TIMELESS.

Music icon that has inspired you and favourite song?
Nina Simone. Everything she stood for as a person, a woman and an artist. She faced so much discrimination and so many set backs, but the way she used music to cut through that negativity and inspire so many people is incredible. She’s one of the few artists that you can say, ‘that’s Nina Simone’ just by her tone-it’s so distinctive and haunting. My favourite song of hers is ‘Don’t Smoke In Bed’ - as a classically trained piano player, I find it so interesting how she uses Baroque Counterpoint in the context of a pop song.

5 songs from bands you rate on the Dot to Dot line up? 

Sweet Disposition - Temper Trap

Move - Rat Boy

Last Dance - Dua Lipa

Holding Back - Tamu Massif

Control - Dreller
WHAT a middle 8

03Interview

What’s your name?
It’s Raphaella... and I’m gonna stop there, otherwise it’ll be the length of the interview…I’m Persian

Where are you from?
North London, Whetstone…nobody has ever heard of where I’m from, it’s like North of the wall Game Of Thrones style.

What do you do?
I am a singer, songwriter and producer

Describe your style in 3 words?
Persian, synth, fiesta

How should you music be listened to?
Anywhere to be honest, because I think music should just grab you wherever you are as long as you hear it and feel it - anywhere in the world.

What do you miss about home when you are on tour?
Definitely my Mum’s cooking. She went to catering school so I have absolutely no chance when I’m around her… she cooks a feast.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
James Blake - I’m obsessed with him and everything he does.

04Playlist Notes

What is the first song you played on repeat?
Probably ‘Dirty Diana’ by Michael Jackson.

A song from your favourite album?
‘Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough’ from Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’. 37 years after its release, and I still haven’t had enough. haha.

Song you wish you had written?
Every single Michael Jackson song. The fact that just by the first kick and snare, you know that it’s a Michael Jackson song is incredible. He’s also one of the few artists who has iconic instrumental hooks as well as vocal hooks, not to mention they are TIMELESS.

Music icon that has inspired you and favourite song?
Nina Simone. Everything she stood for as a person, a woman and an artist. She faced so much discrimination and so many set backs, but the way she used music to cut through that negativity and inspire so many people is incredible. She’s one of the few artists that you can say, ‘that’s Nina Simone’ just by her tone-it’s so distinctive and haunting. My favourite song of hers is ‘Don’t Smoke In Bed’ - as a classically trained piano player, I find it so interesting how she uses Baroque Counterpoint in the context of a pop song.

5 songs from bands you rate on the Dot to Dot line up? 

Sweet Disposition - Temper Trap

Move - Rat Boy

Last Dance - Dua Lipa

Holding Back - Tamu Massif

Control - Dreller
WHAT a middle 8