Interview with Musician Ariana Fig

Best known for her single “I Said My Thanks To Jesus,”  Ariana Fig is dancing to the beat of her own drum. Working under her own label, Fig Tree Records, the Canadian singer is doing it all: marketing, songwriting, and singing all at once. 

Ahead of her new single coming out, we sat down with Fig to talk about her music - the new, old, and everything in between, and more.

Image Courtesy of Steph Montani

How do you use your violin training when creating music?

Violin has and always will be a part of my creation process. It’s the first instrument I learned to play and the one I’ve dedicated so many hours to. It plays a part in the writing and production aspects of creating my music. Sometimes, I play around with some short melodies on violin to see how it translates into a bigger sonic picture. Also, anytime you hear violin in one of my songs, that’s me playing it. I normally just go in without a plan and it typically works better that way to hear what the song calls for.

Which of your songs is your favourite, and why?

My favourite song I’ve made recently is an unreleased song. It’s coming out later in the summer. It was really fun to collaborate with some new people on it and test out a new sound. For a song of mine that is actually out, I would say How Do You Want Me? is one of my favourites right now.

You’ve cited bands like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles as influences on your music - how were you introduced to these bands?

My mom and I started taking me to go antique shopping with her downtown when I was about 12/13 years old - and they would have used vinyl for sale. I would just notice that there were lots of records from artists like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel etc and would choose a few to listen to at home. From there I was super inspired.

Have you ever seen yourself doing something other than music? (If you have, what was it and why? If you haven’t, explain)

Obviously being a musician can be challenging both financially & mentally. I do work also in communications, which has been really great and helps me learn how to market my own music as well. I have thought about working in childcare as I do love working with kids, but I’ve also enjoyed the jobs where I’ve worked with the elderly, or even driving around a delivery truck. Honestly, I’m just happy if I’m employed.

Your song “I Said My Thanks To Jesus” explores the complex concept of Catholic guilt - how else has your Catholic upbringing influenced your songwriting?

Growing up & attending church are where some of my first performance opportunities were. I played violin in the church’s band. It helped me get through the mass when music was being played. It definitely made me more perceptible to which songs people knew over others and trying to understand why that was happening. Normally it was because the song was easy to sing for the majority of the clergy, and that’s true in pop music too. People get hooked on something they can sing.

You’ve described your music as “a blend of Pop, Folk, Alternative, and Jazz.” Would you ever experiment with other genres (and which ones?) Why or why not?

I’d love to explore my sound in more of an electronic phase or even an old-style americana phase as well. I’m drawn to those songs as a listener and sometimes what you enjoy listening to isn’t always what you create yourself.

Canadian artists seem to get a lot less attention internationally in comparison to their American counterparts, sometimes even in Canada itself. As a Canadian musician, have you found it harder to break into the music industry?

I haven’t found it harder than someone living in the states outside of New York or LA. I think just not being in a metropolitan city has its upsides for resources for musicians and more performance opportunities. But I wouldn’t trade where I live for that (at least not yet). In terms of Canadian musicians, I’ve truly only had the best experiences with other musicians in my network.

Image Courtesy of Steph Montani

How have you evolved as a musician since your first single “I’ll Call You Later” in 2020? Has your creative process changed at all?

Oh wow I haven’t heard that song since I released it. I have definitely evolved since then through a lot of trial and error as well as educating myself on production and songwriting technique over the last 5 years. 

Is there a contemporary artist that really inspires you? Who is it? Why?
There’s too many to count really. I’d have to say right now I’ve been really inspired by Bon Iver & Goldie Boutillier. 

What can fans expect from any upcoming projects?

They can expect some more new music coming soon and my debut album…

How did you find the inspiration for "Weather App"? Did you take it from a real experience you or a friend had?

The inspiration for “Weather App” came from listening to a lot of music that inspired me to write a modern "love" song via the internet. I was listening to a lot of Young Friend and Andy Shauf's music, both Canadian artists that discuss themes of love in a more sinister way at times. The song wasn't rooted in a real life scenario that took place in my life, but it is definitely inspired from being a person who has grown up with the internet over the last 15 years. 

How would you describe "Weather App" to someone who has yet to hear it?

I would describe it as a modern yet timeless song about the darker sides to love. It's captivating and gut-wrenching at the same time. 

What was your favourite part of the process of creating the song?

My favourite part was honestly writing this song. I co-wrote it with Emma Whale at Catherine North Studios in August of 2024. I came to Emma with half the song and was stuck on where it should go. We got it done in about 2 hours, and I am really proud of the storyline we created in this song. 

The song has a very dream-like quality to it - was it intentional? What were you hoping to convey to the listener with it?

It definitely wasn't intentional to sound dreamy, but I'm glad you think so! I normally just go into the studio and record what I think the song calls for. Sometimes we add a lot of production to get it to that place, and other times it's about subtracting elements. This song took a lot of patience to get the right balance. I was hoping to convey a story of someone moving between the lines of lover vs stalker.

Listen to Weather App here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU_ljaMopKU