INTERVIEW: RISSA on teaming up with Beso Palma for new single 'Ego'.

Sydney based producer Beso Palma recently released his latest single ‘Ego’ which features the vocals of rising neo-soul/R&B singer RISSA who also co-wrote the track.

An addictive dance track full of shimmering synth beats and trancey, swirly soundscapes it perfectly evokes late night abandon on a nightclub dancefloor. It is new sonic territory for RISSA but the dance pop sound is one she inhabits entirely authentically with her vocals ranging from light and breezy to rap. “I knew I wanted a female vocalist on the beat and RISSA’s name was popping up on my Instagram from mutual friends,” said Beso Palma. “I gave her tracks a listen and knew she would be the perfect fit for the song. I messaged her and she came past the studio. The chemistry was on from the get-go and we just clicked.”

To find out more about RISSA - who is performing at Women In Pop Live on May 13 - and the creation of the track we recently caught up with her for a chat.

Hey Rissa! Thanks for taking the time to chat. How is everything with you right now?
Things are good! Life is feeling relatively back to normal again which is nice, I missed this.

Congratulations on the release of your single ‘Ego’ with Beso Palma. How did this collaboration with Beso Palma come about?
Beso Palma and I had known of each other before working together but the day we wrote and recorded ‘Ego’ was the first time we met properly. The creative similarities we shared helped us click straight away. 

Can you share with us a bit about the creative process behind the song?
Working out of his home studio Beso Palma produced most of ‘Ego’ himself while I was writing lyrics and melodies that worked into what he was creating and vice versa. After bouncing off of each others ideas, ‘Ego’ came together piece by piece.

‘Ego’ is very much an electronic, dancefloor track which is a different sound to your R&B/soul singles to date. What was it like to work in a different genre?
I loved working on a track that was much more dance/electronic compared to my previous work, as a creative I love exploring different genres and having the opportunity to do that with Beso was a pleasure!

How does the whole process of making music feel different, if at all, when you are creating a collaboration with another artist as opposed to a track just for yourself?
Collaboration for me is exciting! Working with other creatives allows me to learn so much more outside of what I might regularly do and I’m constantly inspired by others, so any chance I get to work with new people or just other people in general, I take it!

If you had the choice who is your dream collaborator?
My dream collab would 100% be Erykah Badu. Her writing, artistry and entire creative being is a big influence on my own creativity. 

There is such a massive pool of talent in the Australian R&B scene right now compared to 5 or so years ago, particularly with female artists, it is so good to see. Who are some of the inspirational figures in the scene for you?
YES, so here for the rise of the Australian R&B scene! There are so many talented women that inspire me in the Australian scene right now, but off the top of my head I’d say: Kaiit, Milan Ring, Ms. Thandi, A.GIRL and Maina Doe, all such boss ladies and I love to see it!

How did you get started in music?
Music has always surrounded me since I was young but once I finished high school I went straight into studying music and from there met so many beautiful musicians along the way and collaborated with a BUNCH of people who really helped shape me as an artist. Through collaboration I knew I wanted to kick off my own solo project and once I did, I was blessed enough to have a supportive crew around me guiding me through each release.

For so long now female artists have struggled to get the same respect and admiration as that given to male artists, probably because the music industry has for long been run by white, straight, older men. What are your thoughts on gender equality and sexism in the music industry?
Unfortunately the struggle still exists. I myself have had first hand experiences of sexism and I’ve watched it happen too many times to other female artists around me. Although, within the last year I’ve seen labels, managers and industry companies address gender equality issues and reshape their work places to rid sexism and empower women. This gives me hope for the future of the industry and the younger artists that are yet to come. 

What else can we expect to see from Rissa in 2021?
The rest of 2021 I have a couple more collaboration projects to be released and then I’m following up with my own individual singles with visuals (pumped!) and of course shows with dancing again, yay!

‘Ego’ by Beso Palma and RISSA is not now. You can buy and stream here.

To keep up with all things RISSA you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

RISSA is performing at Women In Pop Live on May 13 at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney. Tickets are on sale now.