With a vast career spanning two decades, several genres and various countries, electro-pop titan Alarke shows no signs of slowing down. After an inspiring month-long trip to Cuba, the multi-faceted artist added an additional title- entrepreneur. Looking to support emerging female artists, Alarke created the successful online coaching platform Set Your Life to Music, specializing in artist development, song-writing and music production. PopWrapped is delighted to premiere Alarke’s new empowering single, “Future Self” and caught up with the award-winning artist to find out more about her new music, creative process and new venture into entrepreneurship.

Today you are exclusively premiering with PopWrapped, your single “Future Self” which comes out tomorrow. Can you tell us about the single and the meaning behind the song?

Born one Sunday afternoon on a wildlife refuge, “Future Self” floated in on sunshine reflecting on water. Ear candy manipulated vocals dance over jazzy chords and UK garage-inspired beats into a Jersey bass open beat. Melodic and groovy, this track feels like an easy, good time. The message, with love: step into your future self. “I know the answer’s in your eyes. I feel the beating of the truth.” It sounds like Charli XCX, Jorja Smith and early James Blake and is inspired by Burial’s Archangel.

If given an opportunity, what would you tell your future self?

Thank you for putting in the work and hooking me up! You deserve all of your successes because you work so incredibly hard, both on a professional and personal level. You’re always growing and evolving, facing problems courageously and doing what’s necessary to come out better on the other side, even when it’s uncomfortable… especially when it’s uncomfortable, because that’s where the most growth happens.

What do you hope your fans take away from this track?

I hope my fans take away a good time on the dance floor from “Future Self.” I remember walking down a side street in Greenpoint, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, and there was a small yet über cool party happening inside a boutique designer fashion store. There were neon pink lights shining through a moody blue atmosphere. Lots of plants. The infectiously fun vibes poured into the street. I heard the DJ was playing Jorja Smith’s ‘On My Mind,’ which is a song I love – and which is also an inspiration for this track. It’d mean the world to me if my song was played in a similar environment with people having a good time, getting down dancing, and letting their cares take the backseat for a while as they just relax and have fun.

What do you find is the most important part of your creative process? What is the most challenging?

The most important part of my creative process is showing up to work through blocks, even when I feel resistant. Things always have a way of working themselves out. The answer will either come directly to me, or, if it doesn’t, I can turn to other musicians I work with and respect for feedback. The most challenging element, to me, is timing; it’s necessary to have patience to work along someone else’s timeline – when asking for feedback – yet also continue to move forward and not squander an idea. There’s no rule or right way to time the creative process. Its elusiveness is a muse in itself.

Throughout your extensive musical career, you consistently morphed your genre and style. What has been the biggest career highlight thus far? What is or are the biggest lesson/lessons you’ve learned along the way?

My music’s taken me from musical theater to opera to Gypsy jazz to audio engineering to indie pop to dance pop and electronic music. It’s been a journey. My biggest highlight was creating a solo monthlong artist retreat in Cuba. It all started in a decision to pursue a wild dream… to create a solo month-long artist retreat in Cuba. There was no agenda to write or record an album, yet the music poured forth in a journey of self-discovery. The result? Cuba Diaries. I ended up writing an album and recording it with a six-piece Cuban jazz band. I also collaborated with Cuban hip hop artists with American filmmakers and music producers for a hip hop album and a performance at Havana’s premiere cultural venue, Fábrica de Arte Cubano. It was beyond anything I could have imagined. It says so much for staying open and going for it. You can read more about the trip on my blog, and listen to the album on several platforms.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is to be open to doing things in new ways. This means removing the ego and turning to love. Surrendering. I consider myself a well-educated person who’s been very fortunate to be born in an environment of opportunities. Along the way, I learned to live in fear. In fact, I’d consider myself to be a fear-based person. Most people are. But – this fear was keeping me playing small, judging myself, and perceiving life as a competition. I swung from one chandelier of that egocentric position to another of wanting to be free and live in this bohemian artist paradise that wasn’t based in reality. Living this way wasn’t working, and I’m so grateful that I woke up out of this haze. I’m constantly learning more about myself, reaching out for help, and using my fears to propel me to my next level. For example, the fear not living my dreams is so great that I’ll buckle up and change who I need to be and what I need to do because I believe anything is possible if I face the truth and evolve into my future self, hence the title of the single.

We are nearing the end of Women’s History Month, your online artist coaching platform, Set Your Life to Music was created to assist emerging female artists. Why was the development of this platform important to you?

I created Set Your Life To Music to provide what I was looking for; not just guidance on how to find your voice, but to transform your artistry on a musical, professional, and personal level. I help emerging professional female artists to sing confidently, write songs they love, record, release and perform original music, and transform their artistry to an expansive new level.

What advice would you give to women just starting out in music?

So much of the work is not just the practical musical elements; so much of it is getting out of your own way. Believe in yourself and work with someone who’s gone before you to show you the ropes. Take risks and learn. Move; don’t stay stagnant. Confidence comes from clarity and clarity, and clarity comes from action. Confidence is the by-product, not the initial fuel. Stay open to creation and community, not competition. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Finally then, what’s next for you?

I’m thrilled to be releasing more music every month throughout June off this new EP! I love the artistic direction of the new music. Stay on the lookout at www.alarke.com and sign up for my newsletter to be notified of the new releases. Also, Set Your Life To Music is getting a MAJOR coaching program makeover. Go to www.setyourlifetomusic.com and sign up for the mailing list there, or for the free guided vocal exercises. I’m also hosting a free live online workshop on 10 steps to writing pop and electronic songs you love. Find out more about it at www.findyoursignaturesound.com.