The Londoner discusses the karma that fuels her new single, Revolution
“It’s got some rage. I’ve been feeling a lot of pain, but also hope and love for the ground level,” says Greentea Peng aka Aria Wells of her new single Revolution, which was written in response to the UK’s Covid-19 lockdown and subsequent months of disquiet. “I have anger for certain systems so the song is saying to be careful of whose battles we’re fighting because things aren’t what they seem. It was written in the heat of the moment and definitely has a wild beat.”
That’s putting it mildly. Opening on an old school jungle vibe, the song expands into a raw reggae cut inciting listeners to make a stand against false freedoms. A taste of what’s to come on her forthcoming debut album due next spring, Revolution is indicative of her soon-come material. “It’s speaking my truth, put it that way. I only have my music, so it’s my duty to be as honest as I can,” she explains. “I’m really fucking exciting about the album to be honest. It’s the most political music I’ve made - controversial at times - but sonically it’s way more free, and instrumentally it’s ridiculous.”
“I only have my music so it’s my duty to be as honest as I can”
Wells grew up in south London, and then Hastings, with family who listened widely from punk and ska to hip hop and soul, and she was a natural performer at school and community events. “As a kid I loved it but by the age of 14, I thought, ‘Obviously I’m not going to be a singer so why am I doing it?’ I didn’t want to be centre of attention anymore and stopped singing,” she recalls of her difficult teenage years. She returned to London, worked in bars and partied hard. But her early passion for music was inevitably rekindled during a trip to Mexico. “That was the catalyst. I had been subconsciously repairing myself and a series of events led me there. It was while watching local bands I realised, ‘Oh shit, this is what I am meant to be doing.’”
Wasting no time, she joined one of the bands herself – the aptly named Los Hedonistas. “They were fucking wild, man. I loved them and they taught me so much. We played covers, drunk lots of alcohol and lived in a tropical beach town. It was fun.” Heading home, she connected with her now long-term producer Earbuds and started recording.
Her 2018 debut EP Sensi cemented her hazy “psychedelic R&B” sound that makes you want to dance and meditate in equal measure. It also garnered her early recognition. “Trust me, it felt quick but everything happens for a reason. I had to address certain parts of my character and ego, deal with being in front of a camera and with people having preconceptions about me. It was a lot but it’s all part of my karma,” she reflects.
Last year Wells brought out the Rising EP and singles Mr Sun and Downers, the latter becoming a Colors show. She also supported Neneh Cherry on tour and has been dubbed one to watch by NME, The Observer and Hunger. This year she won a Gilles Peterson Worldwide Award for Breakthrough Act of the Year, featured on The Streets’ I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Love Him, and delivered more strong singles including Ghost Town, which is her war against the gentrification of London, and Hu Man – a much needed call for peace and unity in troubled times. Next she’ll be performing on Later… With Jools Holland on the BBC and has a European tour in the offing for early 2021.
It’s safe to say then that hers is a very special talent and outlook, drawing on clear influences yet offering up music that feels refreshingly unpretentious and nourishing for the soul. Wells’ unique real-ness also comes across in her expressive personal style (“It’s strictly charity shops, car boot sales and a couple of independent designers.”), strong lipstick game (“I’ve been addicted to it since I was five years old, even during my tomboy phase.”) and the tattoos that snake around her face and body. “I did a little one on myself when I was 14 and my latest one was for my step father who died recently. They are a beautiful way to self-harm when I’m angry or sad. I have a mad strange relationship with tattoos,” she confides.
Her other compelling relationship is with marijuana, as many of her songs attest. “Weed is a medicine that I have indulged in for quite a while. I do love Mary Jane. I sing about her because she deserves to be sung about!”
It’s all this and more that infuses her musical output with a clear sense of spiritual energy. For example, Revolution is tuned to 432Hz, which according to music theory is the natural frequency of the universe and has healing powers. “My spirituality is individual and universal,” she says. “Experiences, lessons and manifestations inevitably lead you to understand that the material world is not serving you and that there is more to life. And once you acknowledge the spirit, you can’t ignore it. It’s not a formal practice and I don’t want to be branded. Trust me, I fuck up like everyone else! But I’m just trying to be open, communicative and as grateful as I can be. I’m becoming the woman I want to be and music has given me a way to express and discover.”
Revolution by Greentea Peng is out now. Find it here.