On a healing mission and full of heart: ALIA’s hard hitting debut is turning heads, with much more grit and passion to come
Songwriter Portrait: ALIA
Bursting onto the scene in summer 2023, ALIA’s visceral performances and enigmatic songwriting not only communicate past traumas, but also promote present healing and emotional connection. Having recently dropped their debut single I’m Getting Off, ALIA talks us through their journey from a shy and quiet child to a bold and expressive artist, intent on healing themselves and the world.
Born in Denmark, ALIA spent much of their childhood years in South East England after moving to the UK with their family in 1996. As an adult they found their way to London, a move which would reignite ALIA’s creative side, which had been dwindling for some time.
Writing poetry and singing quietly to themselves from age 9, they remember a big gap in their creativity during much of their former years, which was brought to an end by a family of new friends in London. ALIA recalls their previous years in a rundown Brick Lane apartment using music as an outlet for their pain and torment, which extended from a lot of life’s difficulties as well as a toxic relationship that was happening.
“I used to write poetry around age 9 or so…I remember I would silently whisper-sing or hum my poems to myself. Then there was a huge gap in my life, and a lot of my creative side stopped…then when I came to London, with the extra family I’ve built here, it began again. I was living in a rundown Brick Lane apartment for a few years and I was going through a lot in life and struggling in a very intense toxic relationship – to do this day I’ve never written a song about that person, I was writing for myself at that time, my feelings and emotions, giving myself a voice as I didn’t have one – I luckily kept this classic acoustic Mexican style guitar with me, gifted when I was 12 from a close family friend. I took to it, and in my solitude I found my therapy within it.”
Armed with their acoustic guitar, a knack for writing expressive lyrics, and a host of adversity as fuel, ALIA began to offload difficult subjects and memories through genuinely upfront writing and captivating vocal performances. Despite describing their recent December 2023 release as a debut single, ALIA released Soho Sessions Side A in May of the same year – a captivating 3 track EP conveying so much meaning and emotion it’s likely to raise hairs and send shivers. To Be The Man In Your Plan is a heartfelt and moving piece that could appeal to even the coldest people’s sentimentality and sensitivity, culminating in a powerful performance at The Star of Kings in September ‘23 (as seen in the IG post below).
ALIA makes a point to write and sing about life struggles in as raw form as possible – mentioning that writing the truth can often be the biggest challenge, but they very much believe in direct and unadulterated lyrics when it comes to writing songs…in their own words “write what is ugly”. When asked about their songwriting process ALIA uses a beautiful metaphor that eloquently illustrates how feelings and emotions play such a key role in the writing process, and how not editing or tampering with original lyrics makes for the most sincere music.
“I’d describe it like a champagne bottle that’s been shaken to its core, and knows it needs to sit alone and let out the mess that is inside. I usually just write most of my songs then and there, very rarely do I go back over songs and edit the words I’ve written.”
ALIA’s debut single is actually a cover of Steven Young’s original I’m Getting Off – described as their “soul brother”. Steven allowed them to record their own rendition of the song he wrote when he was 16; jumping on the electric guitar for ALIA’s recorded version and giving ALIA full agency to contribute passionate and impactful vocals.
“We full on just had a live jam, and released it as it is…raw and honest. I’m humbled I get to have his song under my name, and also for something I was responsible for recreating.”
They tell us they knew it came from a place of trauma, anger and pain from the moment they read and sang the lyrics for the first time, transforming into the healing piece that it has become. The song’s title alludes to its subject of, in ALIA’s words, “a brutal goodbye”, although they also make clear that it can speak to anyone’s personal trauma or adversity. ALIA draws particular attention to the opening lyrics (below), telling us how this opening line reminds them of the need to trust themselves over any traumatic feelings.
“The differences or struggles within anyone’s lives, be it race, gender, ideology, religion, class, culture, etc. humans deserve to be unified in seeing how beautifully unique we all are. Politics has brought about so much destruction, disassociation, hate, pain and anger. It hurts me to see and feel on a personal level. So I hope this helps someone in their darkest of days… to quote the first lyric..”
I am just the way I am
With ALIA’s music clearly on a mission of self-healing and expression, they make clear that it’s the people around them in their everyday life that inspires them more than any big pop or rock star. They also make a point that drawing inspiration from life itself and the people around them can alleviate creative limitations and allow them to escape the “sticking to a box environment”.
“Life inspires my music, connections and environment. What I feel deep down to my bones deserves to be written and remembered.”
As well as life, people and environments acting as inspiration, they credit being an independent music artist as a major benefit when it comes to creative freedom and uncompromised artistic expression. ALIA speaks proudly of not releasing music just to make money – stating that they make music according to what they stand for, and can send a clear message of exactly what they want their art to mean.
“Clearly the freedom, I mean you can write when you want and what you want. There’s no box you’re being forced into to make some art that doesn’t mean or stand for anything just for money purposes. ”
Of course being an independent artist comes with its fair share of challenges too, with ALIA highlighting the fact that being a DIY musician really is a grind that requires being your own marketing manager, as well as the sometimes rather dehumanising pursuit of selling yourself on social media. That said, ALIA’s genuine view of the music industry nowadays is a precursor for an unmatched work ethic, and a sincere passion for what they are doing.
“Things just take time…and you have to allow yourself that in this industry.”
This attitude is likely to make for an accomplished career for ALIA going forward, and an exciting 2024. In addition to the admin of their art and investing time into charities and worthwhile causes to help raise awareness for programs etc, ALIA’s main goal above all is to quash any self-doubt and continue growing as an artist…and who can argue with that? It’s hard not to root for someone putting so much effort and passion into their craft, and with ALIA having such talent and a growth mindset in abundance, it’s looking like 2024 is going to be an interesting year…so watch this space!
