When you ask people who their all-time favorite guitarists are, the answers that arise are often the same: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, and the like. But for 21-year-old Aziya, her favorites are not quite the same. Including guitarists like Viv Albertine of The Slits, the U.K. artist is inspired by the women who deviate from the male-centric standards of rock and instead stand as pioneers for other women in the genre.

And like those who she admires, Aziya knows how to play, well, though her musical talents extend much further than that. Her latest EP, We Speak of Tides, was co-written and co-produced by Aziya herself and features her outstanding instrumentals and vocals. A dive into the waters of human interaction and connection, the five-tracks EP is filled with immense emotions that translate through a range of sounds. Aziya explains that like the tides, our emotions are ever-changing, swelling and releasing, yet trending a familiar cycle. She embodies this idea in each track, flowing in and out of different sounds and feelings while exploring the many ways we try to get along with each other. Musically and thematically, Aziya’s latest release further proves her great artistry, and sets her up for a promising run in music.

Lucky for us, Sparky was able to chat with Aziya to discuss some of her inspirations for We Speak of Tides and more.

Sparky: First off, let me say I loved the EP. What were some of your inspirations, both music and non-music related, that helped you create it?

Aziya: Thank you! We Speak of Tides lyrically is about my journey of trying to understand human interaction and exploring the grey area of relationships, so human behaviour was big inspo for this EP haha. Sonically, this EP was really me honing in on my production and finding my sound. I was listening to a lot of The Flaming Lips, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Tame Impala for this!

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Sparky: What’s your favorite track on the EP and why?

Aziya: It changes all the time but most of the time it’s “Slip!” The production on this one is so exciting to me and it’s the direction I intend to keep exploring. Also, "You make the damsel in me distressed,” –that lyric continues to be a 24/7 mood.

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Sparky: How has your sound evolved since you first started making music?

Aziya: I think from a young age I was always so inspired by a lot of guitar bands whether it was Jimi, The Doors, or System of a Down. So I feel like that guitar-driven sound has always been in my writing, but I feel like my sound developed when I started producing for myself. I could explore the elements that I thought were important in music, therefore helping to mold it into my own sound.

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Sparky: I know you’ve been playing guitar for a long time. Besides your own music, what’s your favorite kind of music to play?

Aziya: I love listening to solos and tryna imitate them to then create my own. Prince’s album Purple Rain has more than enough solos to choose from and practice to.

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Sparky: Who are some of your favorite famous guitarists?

Aziya: June Millington, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Viv Albertine.

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Sparky: If you could pick any album to only listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Aziya: Anything Mitski.

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Sparky: Dream collab?

Aziya: Kevin Parker.

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Sparky: What’s a motto or quote that you aim to live by?

Aziya: Gotta pick myself up and keep running.

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Sparky: What are some of your favorite things about living in the UK? Least favorite?

Aziya: Favourite thing about the UK is East London, it’s got so many little scenes. I love going to Shack (Shacklewell Arms). I’ve seen a lot of punk bands there. The only place that comes close to East is maybe South East which still has the word ‘East’ in it! There’s a lot of Neo Jazz bands around there. Least favourite thing about London is parking!

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Sparky: In the most specific/niche way, how would you describe your style and aesthetic?

Aziya: Ethereal Punk Energy.