Ripsime, a rising voice in alt-pop, unveils a deeply introspective narrative in her latest single, "Wicked & Wise," recorded during her poignant time in Armenia. As a British-Armenian independent alt-pop songwriter, producer, and artist, Ripsime embarks on a compelling journey exploring the battle of her soul's growth in love, acceptance, and creative liberation.
The unveiling of her latest musical project, the EP "Capsule I: Wicked and Wise," stands as a testament to Ripsime's musical prowess. Recorded against the backdrop of Armenia, a period marked by profound self-reflection and fear, Ripsime self-crafted these new songs amidst spaces and places she may no longer revisit. Her time there was coloured by the corridor between Artsakh and Armenia being bombarded and sealed shut, encapsulating a moment of personal history amidst a world in turmoil.
Lead single "Wicked & Wise," now released, encapsulates a mesmerisingly dark and brooding strain of electronic pop. Drawing influences from the likes of Elder Island and Kate Bush, this track carries a cutting-edge grit that effortlessly ascends above the noise of conventional pop. We sat down with Ripsime to learn more about the workings of the EP, the journey of her music to date and much, much more, exclusively for FLEX!
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Your journey into music seems quite diverse, stemming from a nomadic life. How have your travels and experiences influenced your artistic expression and songwriting?
Growing up in various parts of the world and constantly feeling like a stranger to your surroundings, I guess in some way, forces you to create a world that you can tap into at any time, one that you can carry wherever you go. I do think maybe some of my creativity could be in part to do with that practice that I fostered as a kid but it’s not something I actively think about. On the whole, for anyone, I do think being in different places, around different kinds of people, landscapes, and languages subconsciously opens up your idea of the varying ways the world can manifest and it shows you in some way, even if you're not cognizant, what’s possible. Ironically, when I am in the depth of creating something, I like to cocoon, which is the very opposite of all of that.
'Capsule I: Wicked and Wise' is a striking debut EP with a deeply personal narrative. Could you share more about the creative process behind this project, especially considering the emotional backdrop of your time in Armenia?
Yes, absolutely. After the war in 2020, I decided to go out to Armenia and spent a year there from 2021 to 2022. I was in Artsakh with my family and then spent the rest of the time in the capital, Yerevan. In Armenia, I feel so connected to the world around me and it gives me a sense of peace like no other. I have always felt that way, but living and creating there I think influenced me massively. More than anything, it made me feel safe to explore in ways that I hadn't before. Few tracks on the record like “Benevolent Prince’’ and"Wicked & Wise "definitely took from the surrounding environment so there are real life sounds from Armenia embedded in the record in all these special ways.
Lead single 'Wicked & Wise' carries an intense and evocative energy. What inspired the sound and thematic elements within this track, and how do they represent your artistic vision?
We first started writing ‘Wicked & Wise’ in London during covid. The drums, the bass and guitars were all locked in before I went to Armenia. Whilst in Armenia, I finished the arrangement, vocals, synths and added other production elements. Sitting in my grandmothers’ kitchen for the last time in Artsakh and listening to sections on loop was worlds away from the apartment that the song was born in back in London and I think working on it gave me a sort of nostalgic feeling on both ends and a drive to finish it even though at points it felt impossible, not helped by my surroundings at the time which involved bombs going down weeks before I left which added to this weird inner sense of urgency.
Stream 'Capsule I: Wicked & Wise' in full here:
'Wicked & Wise' seems to explore the dichotomy between conflicting emotions and experiences. How do you balance these themes throughout the EP, and what messages do you aim to convey through your music?
I don’t know if there has ever been an active message I am trying to portray but I will say, sometimes I've found that there is a message in the work that is waiting for my future me to listen back to. In ‘Wicked & Wise’, the main lyrics are ‘see you on the other side’ and when writing it, it was about me getting through my own personal (and collective) darkness. A year later, when it came out, it was weeks after everyone in Artsakh had to evacuate after being bombed incessantly and all 120,000 never to return, including my family. So, really, ‘see you on the other side’ feels incredibly weird to hear, especially on the literal other side. To know that I recorded it in Artsakh and had to listen to it once it was finally out on the other side as someone that cannot go back feels eerily strange.
As an artist, what do you hope listeners take away from 'Capsule I: Wicked and Wise'? Are there specific emotions or ideas you intend to evoke through your music?
I don’t know. I don’t go into the project with a desire for the listener to feel anything other than connect with the music in their own way. I created the EP with a lot of different emotions, energies and feelings. It took so long to finish the project given all the crazy things that were happening around me, so, undoubtedly there is a lot to it. I think in that sense, the audience can pick what it wants to hear and feel from that palette. I can’t say it was one feeling or sound or emotion but the eclectic nature of it comes through and maybe that’s something I’d like for the listeners to enjoy if they don’t already.
What's next on the horizon for Ripsime? Any plans for future projects or artistic directions you're excited to explore?
Yes, absolutely! Currently, I’m working on Capsule II which is a lot funkier and lighter generally. I think Capsule I was the underworld - the murkiness, the darkness and figuring myself out creatively as a producer but Capsule II and the music I’m currently working on with my band makes you groove more, and I think that’s where I am right now with life. I just want to groove more and I think the world needs more of that. It’s been a hard few years, a lot of darkness for a lot of people and it’s time for a change, a turning over…more light.
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