Arlesque is an artist whose music is impossible to mistake for anyone else’s – delicate melodies, emotional nuance, and a cinematic feel in everything he creates. After the release of “Everything You Do”, he was recognized as an artist with a distinctive atmosphere, and his new single “Eros” reinforced that impression, delving right into the essence of love and its rebirths. We spoke with Arlesque about inspiration, emotion, and the journey that made his music so personal and instantly recognizable.

Hi, Arlesque! It’s a great pleasure to meet you. Your music has already
made its mark – after the release of “Everything You Do”, people began to speak of you as an artist with a distinctive atmosphere, and now your new single “Eros” is out. My question is: When you were writing this song, what came first – the melody, the feeling, or a specific person?

So nice to meet you too! I’m ecstatic to be doing this interview with you.
Thank you for checking out “Everything You Do.” I actually conceived that
one in a dream, haha! However, for “Eros,” the feeling came first. Then I
went to my keyboard and started playing chords that slowly evolved into
“Eros.” I actually originally named it “Be Rare,” but over time, “Eros” just
made more sense.

You say that “Eros” brought your heart back to passion, and you
describe that moment as a rebirth – a revival of feelings from the ashes. So which turned out to be stronger – the love itself, or the surprise of its return?

To be honest, I found myself in a situation I thought I’d never experience
again. So it was definitely the surprise. It came from how strongly I felt for
this guy who reminded me of my ex I’d left behind. The unexpected
return of those intense emotions caught me off guard, especially since I
hadn’t anticipated feeling this way about him.

The melody of “Eros” carries you into a warm evening where
everything around breathes romance and hopes for a miracle. Do you personally believe that a short summer romance can leave a mark for life?

Thank you for saying that! That’s so kind. I absolutely believe a short
summer romance can leave an indelible mark on your life. Anecdotally, I
think fleeting romances often shape you more than, say, the “stable,”
long-term ones. Well, to be fair, they both do, in their own way, but
there’s something electric about the transient ones. I think the fleeting
romances prepare you for the long-term ones. That’s why so many love
songs and poems are written about stories that eventually end. That said,
you shouldn’t go looking for that-it’s unhealthy, haha!

I believe every song has its hidden co-authors – whether it’s the
producer, a friend, or that spark of inspiration in the air. Who was with you when you were creating “Eros” and helped transform the idea into a real song?

I love this question! I wrote Eros all by myself on my keyboard in my
bedroom, and I had the composition ready as well. I knew where the song
was headed and how it would end. However, my good friend Sasha,
credited as Alexandr Zelenskiy, brought my ideas to life. The incredible
thing about working with him was his openness to all my ideas and experiments. He always had a “yes, let’s try it” attitude, which I loved. I’d
ask if we could blend 808s, banjo, and strings in one song, and he’d say,
“Yes, let’s do it!” That’s exactly what you hear on the record.

The title “Eros” directly points to love. Do you believe love can still
turn life upside down, like in old movies?

I truly believe love can change everything in your life – absolutely
everything. Some say movies are just movies, but I believe they’re made
by people like you and me, so we can absolutely live those experiences.
I’ve felt that intensity myself. I’ll write about love my entire life because
it’s so powerful, and it has transformed me. Love changes you, whether it
lasts or not.

I’ve watched the music video for the single several times – it truly
stayed with me and refuses to leave my head. How did you manage to create such an atmosphere that it feels as if you’re inside the story yourself?

OMG, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the Official Lyric Video/
Visualizer for the song! Honestly, the concept reflects my real life.
Whenever I listen to music, I romanticize the world around me, feeling like
I’m in a music video or movie. While making “Eros,” every time I received
a revised version, I’d walk around my neighbourhood, getting lost in the
glamour around me. I wanted to capture that authenticity in the video.
Also, Toronto is beautiful! Everyone always talks about New York or
California, but I wanted to showcase my Toronto neighbourhood because
it’s truly my life.

Critics call your music emotional, cinematic, and intimate – melody,
subtle arrangement, deep feelings. Tell me honestly, do you intentionally make people cry to your tracks, or is that just a side effect of your “cinematic sensitivity”?

Haha! I just stick to what feels authentic to me. I’m dramatic yet chill,
glamorous not just because of what I wear or where I go, but because of
how I see the everyday world. There’s so much glamour in daily life,
though not everyone notices it. Sonically, I lean toward reflection and
depth, and whatever comes out flows from that. I do want to create music
that lets people romanticize their lives, just like I do when I’m walking
down the street with my headphones on. I want my music to be a
beautiful escape for them.

Your gaze is so expressive, it feels like there’s a whole life behind it –
full of vivid moments and challenges. How do those moments shape you as an artist?

Thank you so much for saying that. I’ve experienced love like in the
movies but also heartbreaks that shatter you to pieces. I’ve faced life’s
uncertainties and betrayals, alongside everything beautiful, which adds
depth to my artistry. These experiences make me an artist who contains multitudes. I can write about joy and beauty while layering it with
complexity, adding that “complicated” spice. I love doing that as an artist.

Your story is truly inspiring: a difficult childhood in India and then a determined move to Canada to follow music. How have all those trials – the
struggle, the relocation, and the new beginnings – influenced your artistry and the unique sound we hear today?

Yeah. Growing up in a country where people like me were mocked and
bullied was tough. I often found myself alone with my thoughts, and
because I had no one who was like me, it forced me to forge a very strong
connection with my own spirit. As a child, I made sense of the bullying
and the covert exclusion by talking to myself and writing in my journal.
Someone who has often found themselves on the outside of the social
world can really observe how shackled people are inside of it. You can
really feel the direction of the cultural current.
You know, it also birthed the songwriter in me. I needed to turn the blues
into something beautiful. All of my experiences gave me this beautiful
melancholy, and you know, not everyone can pull it off or channel it like I
do. Moving to Canada made me feel “normal” for the first time, like I was
finally home. Yet, I realized I was still different, but Canada has allowed
me to express myself fully. As an immigrant, there are always going to be
struggles, and I had my fair share of them, but I’m able to make music
today because I’m in a country where I feel safe and represented. I
probably wouldn’t be doing this interview if I weren’t here, but who
knows? Life is unpredictable.

After the release of “Eros,” it feels like Arlesque’s creative journey is
just picking up speed. I’m curious – where will it lead you next: to a full-scale album, live shows, or unexpected creative collaborations?

Yes! I am so excited because I see my future full of new music, and I want
to put out an album and headline a tour one day! I know I will get there,
but right now I am happy about “Eros” being finally out and the next
couple of songs that my listeners will get to hear soon!
Thank you so much for having me!

• Instagram
• TikTok