Q&A: meet Onarsé, R&B newcomer drops debut EP

2020 is far from a write off, we have had some absolute banging debut’s this year and this one is well up there. Western Sydney’s Onarsé has opened up his soul and has let us take a peek on what’s inside. His debut EP 15/10 is an ode to the thoughts in his head. It’s a freakin beautiful arrangement of songs. You almost feel like you’ve taken a trip to the 80’s and ended up at a high school prom. Romy and Michelle slow dance realness. 

Onarsé’s flavour is a mix of contemporary and old school R&B that has a sense of nostalgia about it. His sound is beautiful in the way that it’s familiar. His tone is soooo smooth and we love it! 4 chairs turning for you.

At Fine Tune Magazine we are big on energy and how people hold themselves. Onarsé is young but incredibly confident and he has this vibrant energy about him that comes through in his music. This energy alone is sure to see him succeed in whatever he chooses. We out here ready for the follow up EP 2 days after its release.

We caught up with our Sydney slice to talk about his debut EP, booting bad bitches from the group chat and FASHION.

Check out all the feels below. Here’s a snippet of our conversation: 

Hey Onarsé, how’d you get into music? Talk us through your journey so far.

I’ve been into music ever since I was a kid. I’m Filipino and us Filipinos love karaoke, so when I was younger i’d always catch family and friends doing some karaoke and they would always encourage me to join in; I guess that’s how music embedded itself to me. I’ve been singing since I was 4, wrote music since I was 9 and began producing at 14. I was very versatile with the music genres I listened to when I was younger (and I still am) and experimented with different musical elements through demos before the release of my EP15/10. One minute you’d see me groove to Michael Jackson’s music and then all of a sudden see me overwhelmed by Barbara Streisand’s powerful voice the next.

Tell us about your new EP “15/10”? Where does the name come from?

I was born on October 15, 2002 hence as to why the title of the EP is 15/10. It signifies the beginning of my life and the beginning of my journey in life. The EP is mainly about the poignant journey of love, however, songs can be interpreted in different ways; it all depends as to how you’ve experienced life so far. While I was writing the songs for 15/10, I had deep talks with my friends and listened to their personal stories about the things they’ve been through; and It inspired me to ensure that different perspectives were added into my songs in the EP. The first song Never Be Enough can be interpreted through the perspective of not being good enough for the person you love or not being good enough to live life; and the versatility of interpretations, in regards as to how my listeners may have experienced life so far, is what truly inspired the title of the EP.

Is there anyone on the Aus or NZ scene that’s killing it RN that you’d love to collaborate with?

I’ve been listening to an artist named STEVAN and his music just resonates with my soul. If I could collaborate with him in anyway possible, man, that’d send me into euphoria and I will YEET asap.

Is fashion a big part of who you are?

Fashion is a core part of not only me as an artist, but as a person too. I’ve always been into fashion; especially high end, run-way fashion. Dressing up in what I’m comfortable in gives me such a confidence boost and I think more people should really dress however they want to dress. Fashion is simply a universal art form for people to further express themselves in a way which words may often lack to do. 

Tell me about the most awkward date you’ve ever been on?

Well... the thing is, I’ve never been on a date. LOL. BUT... I have been out with someone at one point, which I never really considered as a date, but the vibe was just not there and it really made things awkward cause our energies were so different and didn’t seem to fuse so well. 

 What’s the strangest thing you’ve done in public?

There’s this weird thing I do whenever I’m out with my friends where I just spontaneously stop in the middle of a pathway and suddenly shake my legs as if I’m struggling to stand. I’m a naturally goofy person who enjoys making people smile and laugh; and it’s just a thing that I love to do for the LOLS. So in the future, if I ever see a friend or a fan when I’m going out, I’ll probably do my shaky legs shenanigans.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend Y or N?

Yes, diamonds can be a girl’s best friend. BUT... the best best friend a girl can have is non other than herself.

What’s your favourite and or most used app and why?

Definitely GarageBand. I’m on that app more than I’m on any social media apps simply cause I love being able to experiment with music and constantly feel the need to create and innovate. 

Have you ever booted someone from the group chat?

Oh hell yeah! and would gladly do it again. Some people just don’t know when not to cross the line and feel the need to spread their irrelevant negative energy; and we don’t need more negativity in this world we live in since we’re already drowning in it.

Name two things that don’t go together. 

Mayonnaise and spicy chilli. I’ve tried it before and will I do it again...? HELL NAHH!

Onarsé is outright savage, don’t bring no negative vibes to this group chat or you’ll be booted. ALSO pretty sure spicy chilli and mayonnaise is one of the most LIT combos but we can agree to disagree. Onarsé has a huge energy and major talent and we can’t wait to see where that takes him.

Check out his song below or head to our Sunday's R 4 the Soul 🎷 playlist to hear more songs like it.

By Samuel Seedsman.