In the Hotseat
We’re sitting in the backseat of her Kia Soul, incense burning in the front seat cup holder.
Her music plays through BandCamp, bass booming through steady car speakers. The car smells like something warm and grounded. We start off talking about her past, what she’s done, what she’s building, but the conversation doesn’t stay in one place for long.
Nothing about it feels forced. There’s no rush to get anywhere or turn the moment into something bigger than it is.
It’s just time, shared.
First Impression
When Airo starts talking about what she does, it comes out in layers and fluid storylines.
She teaches upcycling classes at Scraplanta. She sews. She crochets. She’s worked with wood, using band saws and building pieces from scratch. She moves between skills like it’s natural. She’s put out a short film & commercial for her business titled “Shulamite,” a deeply moving piece shown at Cinema de Bleu featuring nature, natural hair, and rhythmic soothing motions of self care with one of her wooden handmade combs.
Her fluidity is not random. It’s a practice. Placing a singular label to simplify her essence would be a disservice to Airo, as our conversation revealed to me lessons and takeaways, which helped to build this story and portray her world.
A Life Built by Hand
She talks about what she wants to make next like it’s already in motion.
I want to make a full blown gown and outfit. The shoes. Necklace, bag. All of it. I want to make furniture, even the big stuff. A bed, tables, chairs. Low-key even a house.
It doesn’t even sound exaggerated. It sounds like the next step of a large bucket list, which we’re excited to see.
Building Fiyah Botanicals
Fiyah Botanicals is where a lot of that energy goes, her community-focused apothecary for plant-based adornment with handmade custom combs and events, such as crochet tea parties and creative workshops.
For her, it’s spiritual. It shapes how she approaches the business and the people who come into it.
She’s focused on growing it, but not in a way that removes the human side. She wants people to feel something when they engage with it.
Who gon be the candy lady in the neighborhood anymore? We don’t know our people. I want to be a neighbor even while building a brand. I’m open to barter, of course.
A valid take on how segmented we’ve come to be culturally. Community is a real priority for her, not just a word she uses.
Music and Movement
Airo is also a musical artist.
She began her music journey in 2018, with seven EPs and other singles. You can hear spiritual influence in how airy her music feels.
I think the closest genre title is alternative R&B, but I’m always making different things. So many stories inspired how my songs came to be.
One of my favorites is A_2808. It has a house feel to it, something you can move to, but still calm.
A lot of her music right now leans into more spiritual tones and grounding reverberations. Slower, intentional, steady.
I don’t even have my music on major platforms anymore. I’m writing a paper “Fuck This Industry” where I talk about how you can have your music up for months and the royalties won’t even be enough to keep it on the platform. So now I just have it on BandCamp.
She performs at the Wednesday Jam Sessions on Peter Street too in true ATL fashion. Singing, dancing, moving through the space without needing to control it.
What Stays With You
Sitting there, working through her albums and listening to her, it becomes clear that Airo is a builder overall.
She’s building skills, a brand, a community. A safe creative space for like-minded people.
But she’s also letting things take their time.
That balance stands out more than anything.
You don’t have to rush to become one thing. You don’t have to simplify yourself to be understood.
You can build, become, and still let things unfold as they come.
Atlanta wins again.
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