If you like your music a little different from the norm, then ALIA could be your new favourite artist! She has a fantastic voice, displayed well in her latest single release, I’m Getting Off. If you missed our review the first time around, you can check the track out at the bottom of this interview.

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a new track called I’m Getting Off. What can you tell us about the song?

I have indeed, it’s my cover of my soul brother’s track (Steven Young (a.k.a Mr.Nobody)) that he wrote when he was 16 and released himself not too long ago. He’s admirably passed it on for me to do a rendition in my own way, as he knew it was a song for me & he was right, which he will love to hear!

It healed me in the journey of making, performing & all connections to it. So much so, it opened my eyes to what’s truly & will forever be important to me – especially as an artist & someone who would love to be a voice for matters that are close to me.
As an artist, I do feel we have responsibility to global and internal matters. This song is what that is, the moment I read the words and the moment I let out the notes it needed, I knew it came from a place of trauma, anger and pain – at the world faces and individuals. It reminded me of days when I was at my worst and all I wanted to do was scream at the top of a mountain far away from anything I knew existed … this is my way of recreating that vision. To have Steven on the guitar on this recording with me makes it even more special & meaningful, as he truly helped me in life as well as music. It’s a true blessing to have this song under my name, as something I was responsible for recreating.

How has the reception to the track been so far, and where can it be purchased?

It’s been very kind, I’ve gratefully had wonderful and mind blowing reviews, write-ups and social media artists creating stunning work for it… I feel very humbled. Including stories close friends have told what me about listening to it for the first time. You can find it on all music platforms, from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube and so forth…

I’m Getting Off is your debut single! What was the writing and recording process like?

As mentioned above, it was already written and created. It was a matter of me forming an altered version or sound, as my version is very different from the original, which I love as it shows how an artist can still feel, hear and connect into the storytelling in numerous ways. Originally I played my guitar (acoustic) and found it was not quite right. I play very folk/indie/soft rocky vibe music & it didn’t feel like it suppose to be that, it didn’t click, so a few months after a lot of other musical things had passed we resurfaced this idea, and I think if I remember correctly, I may have puppy eyed Steven into playing the guitar for me on the track. He can do what I call the Buckley – a rare sound I don’t hear often enough anymore but fall-in-love with the simplicity an electric guitar can produce. In that moment I heard it, he played out the notes and it began, sitting together in the studio in Soho – we just hit record and after a few goes, that was it. I didn’t modify, edit or do a thing, just mastered it and sent it off, so to speak. It’s rawness at its finest, hence the sound of lighters, the length and the breath in-between each moment…

I wanted it like this as it’s like a deep conversation you’d be having with yourself or someone dear to you… time doesn’t matter – you do – they do, we all do.

Do you have any more singles planned for the near future? Or are there any plans to release an album or EP anytime soon?

I do definitely, I have a book worth of songs, and unfinished work with artists and producers – but nothing I can speak of yet sadly, as this year has been a whirlwind and I want to soak in what I’ve achieved – build from it, learn from it, work on a few things behind the scenes and also collaborate & work on some projects I have in mind.

I’m Getting Off is a very unique sounding track! What/who are you most influenced by when making this song? What have you been listening to recently?

I’m humbled thank you… I’m not too sure, it’s a hard question to answer. I can’t say I was influenced by anyone but a lot of people said they heard certain influences in the track. I can understand their connection. In the moment I have no idea what I’m making, I lose myself when I’m in the creating mode – I disconnect and channel myself into it. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Mazzy Star, Ludovico Einaudi, Fleetwood Mac Radio on Spotify (always my go-to playlist).

The track was written with Steven Young (a.k.a Mr Nobody). How did the collaboration come about? Can we expect any more collaborations in the near future?

Well, we’re like brothers and have known each other for over a year or so now, maybe closer to two years. We met randomly at an event in Soho one evening and bonded since. He helped engineer, co-produce my first EP that came out in May (Soho Sessions Side A), which has 3 tracks. He’s obviously an artist himself, and he’s on his journey into creating his next adventure & story in music, and I’m blessed to be involved vocally (so yes you can look forward to future collaborations) – it’ll be a modern psychedelic rock era, and I’m madly excited, a few have heard the tracks live as we performed at a private show in Notting Hill, Laylow at Festival Of Light ‘13 (can find the live performance on my Apple Music).

Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?

I do, and I’m incredibly excited for the next few steps,I’ve touched on the subject of projects briefly and those future endeavours include my art and how I connect to this world. I have plans and ideas on working with a few charities and organisations, to support a few areas close to me (mental health, homelessness, LGBTQIA, specific AID and Doctors), to give these areas what they need is and always will be incredibly important, especially right now. So my focus will be on this, as well as working with other artists, producers and such – having collaborations & so forth.

Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?

I do wish to tour, which could be coming, but haven’t had confirmation as of yet. I may just visit the areas of the UK I know and run it independently, so do keep an eye on my socials for information.

Any last words for the fans?

Be fearless, be love, be proud, be courageous, be kind, be thoughtful, be open, overall be you!
Sending love and light from the moon.