Meet Aurelia | Musician, Producer, Photographer, and Artist Manger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aurelia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aurelia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve been involved in a lot of creative industries at this point. I started out as a model and actor, and when that became too draining, I became a photographer and media manager. I now write and produce music, as well as manage all kinds of artists, which I have found to be most rewarding.

Out of these artists I have worked with, and the ones I have worked alongside, I’ve come to the conclusion that, unless you’re already a very rich person, people go into the arts because they simply have to. No other career seems to fulfill them as much, some burning part of their brain tells them that creating art is the most vital part of their existence, and it’s the same for me.

I think choosing a creative career for me was more necessity than interest, more passion than pander. If I could be an accountant, and really content with a stable 9-5 (no hate to those folks, I envy them more than anything sometimes) I would.

While I have worked in corporate America in order to survive (like many artists) I think that my creativity is really the only thing that has let me *live*

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started out as a model and actress while working and in college. It was the first time I really put myself out there, and where I can clearly mark where my career began. That didn’t work out as much. I got a ton of work at first, but the closer I got to agency work or high-end fashion, the more I was told that I needed to lost weight, that I wasn’t “industry standard” and that was an absolute crock of shit. I decided to step behind the camera after that, as the constant attention to my body wasn’t good for me mentally. As someone who already struggled with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, I needed to find something that felt more safe. Focusing on the careers of others was, at the time, more safe for me.

After that, I got into marketing for those models, and soon I was managing music artists. I currently manage Icarus Moth full time, and have provided services to others like Alpharad (Ace of Hearts), Ehiorobo, Johnny Manchild, and more.

I then got into music production in 2019, as a whole new world opened.
It wasn’t realistic for me to consider music as a young person as much, as it’s a career that’s really insecure and making sure I’m able to survive on my own has always been the primary concern.

But music has always been my first love. And it became a means to tell my story in the way that most resonated with me, without anyone else’s control. My first single on this project, “Wax”, comes out October 29th, along with a music video that I personally shot, directed, starred in and produced. This is something I couldn’t be prouder of. I feel like I’m just starting to see the culmination of all these paths into one.

Music has become a very safe space for me to confront a lot of the issues I had been plagued with as a woman, and as a queer person, and I wanted to share those discoveries and provide a safe space of self reflection for others. I often write music with healing in mind, and have always used my platforms online to foster conversations specifically pertaining to mental health and self expression. I think it’s something that has always set me apart (despite mental health now making it into the mainstream), and something that I think has strengthened me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man, where to even start. If we’re friends, I’ve likely taken you to all these places, as finding good food is a point of pride. A lot of the spots I’ve been to food wise are recommendations straight from my family, who are Lebanese and Italian and excellent judges of food. So I can provide a few recommendations there for sure:

To eat:
– If you want the Italian-America experience, sure, you can go to Little Italy downtown, there are some cool spots around. But the real deal is Arthur Ave in the Bronx, which is actually where my family is from. Would recommend Calandra’s cheese and Half Moon for pizza, and Zero Otto Nove for everything else. Also get a cannoli.

– If the Bronx is too far for your cannoli needs, you should go to Veniero’s, a classic (good to have options too)

– A non-Italian spot I frequent a lot if Milon, on the Lower East Side. Stellar and well-priced Indian food, but the highlight is the decor, it is wrapped completely in Christmas lights & gift-wrapped walls year round.

– ilili’s on 23rd st for solid Lebanese cuisine, parent-approved.

Things to do:

– The Blue Note: Just saw an old friend there actually, the incredible Julius Rodriguez (who also just released some new music! Please check it out!). Was one of the best live performances I’ve seen in ages, and any act that books there is going to be truly special.

– The Brooklyn Museum and The Brooklyn Botanical Garden. They have a cherry blossom festival yearly that is so beautiful 🙂

– The MET will always be one of my favorite places.

– Elsewhere has some of the best performances and is a great venue (great sound guy too).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The family I grew up with was very matriarchal, with my mother at the helm, and my grandmother right behind. I have 2 sisters also, and 2 aunts, and they both have daughters that lived with us for some while.

They taught me a lot of what it means not to take anybody’s shit, and how to be extremely authentic. I think they also prepared me for a lot of the misogyny I would deal with in the industry (although it’s prevalent in every industry). I’m glad that I was able to grow up with such powerful role models.

The support I received from them, especially my mom, has meant the world to me, in recent years especially. I also really need to thank my partner, who makes music under Icarus Moth (icarusmoth.com) that you should check out, for always having faith in me, even when I didn’t have that faith. Having someone else believe in you is a magical thing, it helps bring your dreams into reality, in a small way. I don’t think I would be as motivated if I didn’t have the Moth around.

Website: youraurelia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youraurelia/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/youraurelia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youraurelia/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/aureliamusic/

Other: Be sure to look out for my debut single on the “Aurelia” project “Wax”, out 10/29 .Additionally, the artists I manage just released a single too, titled “Slow Truth”, which is out now via Monstercat. (https://monster.cat/slowtruth)

Image Credits
MAIN LANDSCAPE IMAGE – Photo by Mario Eugnell Winston (@eugnell) – Styling / MUA / Creative Direction – Aurelia (@youraurelia) Separate Images (2nd page) 1 – “Wax” Music Video Still – Shot by Melina Nakos (@ms_melinakos), SFX MUA – Maddie Dico (@daddiemic0), AC – Jes Burke (@jes.burke), Produced, Directed and Edited by Aurelia (@youraurelia) 2-3 – Photographed, Modeled, Styled by Aurelia (@youraurelia) 4 – Model – Madison Simone (@madison.simonee) Agency: IPM Models (@IPMModels) Photographed by Aurelia (@youraurelia) 5 – Model/MUAH Madi (@madimakesmusica) photographed by Aurelia (@youraurelia) 6 – Ehiorobo (@ehiorobo_) & Icarus Moth (@icarusmoth) at Friends and Lovers, Brooklyn, NY. 7- Photo by Sam Martucci (@sammartucciphoto), 2019 8- Photo by Saas (@ legreatwave)