Photo by Lauren Herrmann

“Take Five” focuses on Chicago’s ever-growing music scene by giving you insight to the city’s best local acts via the best source possible: the artists themselves. Here is the latest installment featuring Ami Saraiya .

If you’ve not followed the musical career of brilliant Chicago artist Ami Saraiya, let me quickly bring you unto speed. After many years of playing in various bands throughout Chicago, Saraiya went solo and released Archaeologist in 2009. The full-length was, by my account, a brilliant record that bent many genres — chamber pop, blues, and waltzy-soul to name a few — into Saraiya’s magically surrealist songwriting.

So, where does she go from here? Apparently: crazed and macabre.

Saraiya’s latest EP, Ami Saraiya & The Outcome, released last month, is a three-song sampler of the LP she is currently recording. On the record, she sings frantically of “red hot fires to boil the dead” and “littered limbs.” Song titles include “Purging” and “Cattle Prod Hands.” They are also some of the best tracks she’s ever produced and, if they are an indication of what’s to come, a lead up to her most exciting LP yet.

Loud Loop Press caught up with Saraiya to discuss her new record’s direction, how her creative process works, and what she does for a paycheck.

LLP: What kind of response you are getting to your new EP, and how does it compare to Archaeologist?

So far, folks really seem to be digging the tunes. So far this album seems to be a little more nutso as far as lyrical content compared to Archaeologist. We’ve been working again with the brilliant Mark Messing of Mucca Pazza/ Maestro-matic as producer/arranger for this album. I think this album will have a more unified sound because of it. At the time I recorded “Archaeologist,” I wasn’t sure of what I was going to do with it. I just knew I wanted to document those songs.

LLP: In both practical and a conceptual sense, how does your composing/writing process work?

My musical ideas usually come by way of improvisation and not by purposely trying to create a particular sound or trying to filter or mold according to genre. I play a few chords and the melodies and words just flow. It’s nice to shut off the thinking brain for a moment and just let myself create on the fly. Of course, thinking comes back when trying to finish the song fully develop the lyrics/story, and put it all in a song format.

LLP: Your music shows a lot of craft, delving through many genres while still being distinct. Can you talk a little about that?

You know, I’ve been told by many that there seems to be several genres going on at once with my tunes. But yes, I think subconsciously I’ve been influenced by several styles that I’ve listened to and loved over the years and these all somehow make their way into my sound.

LLP: What did you grow up listening to, and what do you listen to now?

I grew up on bubble-gum pop, ’80s music with a touch of Indian, classical, and Bollywood (by influence of my parents). I started to love bands like The Smiths, Led Zeppelin, Bjork, and The Police in my teens. I also listened to big band, old jazz, show tunes, and classical music by way of choir and piano lessons. Now, I’m inspired by music of many genres, music that is transcendental and that I can also hear live. I like lots of local bands. There’s so much brilliant Chicago music growing in our own backyard. I found that even to be true after being at SXSW this past week. Maybe I’m biased. I say: Listen locally.

LLP: Who are you outside of your music?

What can I tell you is I’ve dabbled in several different careers to help feed my music habit, including: computer programmer, wine telemarketer, and staff at various music-based non-profits. I haven’t been too successful at making music into a business though. I wish I were more business savvy! Currently, I work as an R.N. at a local hospital. I was born in Chicago to parents who emigrated from India and grew up in the south suburbs. I went to school at Indiana University, starting out as music major.

Stream selections from Ami Saraiya’s new EP and “Archaeologist” at Amisaraiya.com.
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