Be Still, INA. an EP. Out Now.

What I wanted to capture in the EP was the significance of presence amidst so many unpredictable events. I’ve asked myself what does it mean to be present, when our minds are constantly pulled between past and future, especially in light of confounding trauma? How do we hold onto stillness amidst chaos and motion? And is releasing control of stillness truly the only way to fully possess it?

I. Better Days (Prod. by HM Surf) | my intro. where I’ve been & where I’m headed. Welcome to my project

II. Being Blunt (Prod. by Qure, featuring Nomad the Native) | what is going on with our world; how am I coping? Was I smoking the blunt or what is smoking me?

III. On Loss (Prod. by Taeetheproducer) | notes on loss, death, and anticipatory grief; exploring what life after saying goodbye feels like

IV. Fireworks, Interlude PI (Prod. by INA) | what anxiety feels like; sporadic and patterned, unpredictable sights and booming sounds

V. Be Still INA, Interlude PII (Prod. by Taeetheproducer) | being right where I’m supposed to be; finding stillness

VI. Sustain (Prod. by HM Surf) | sustainability of self, a promise to my own light

VII. FLOATING (Prod. by Taeetheproducer) | what floating feels like

VIII. With Love, (Prod. by Taeetheproducer) | an expression of utmost gratitude to my loved ones. Signed off ‘With love,’

The writing period for this EP spanned 7 years. The project period, which included production, recording and final edits, took place between July through December 2022.

I recorded all the vocals in my apartment closet, padding the walls and hanging my mic from a clothing rack; I think this was fitting.

From writing to editing to organizing to releasing, this process was a memorable and heartfelt first.