10 Questions with ... ALA.NI

1. How is 2017 treating you?

Busy. I always get asked, "When are you touring?" -- and the answer is I'm constantly on tour. It's the only real way for an indie artist to survive, but I love to travel, so I don't complain. I take my personal pillow everywhere with me!

2017 has been an interesting year so far. Looking forward to the album releasing in the States and seeing what happens here with my music. I've grown it very slowly as it's kind of been just me behind the wheel. Self-management and all. I've started writing for the next project, so hoping that this year will see me venturing into even more new grounds.

2. Growing up, did you always want to be a musician?

I wanted to be a dancer and my dream was to attend Alvin Alley after leaving school.

3. Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

One of my early memories is of my dad making me sing and dance to Nina Simone's "My Baby

Just Cares For Me" over and over again. He was amused, I guessed.

4. You attended the Sylvia Young School, which is known for their very famous alumni including Amy Winehouse.

I was in attendance when Amy was there. I remember not believing that that was her actual real surname. She would silence us all with her voice as small as she was. In fact, I changed stage schools for that very reason. Sylvia Young had and still has a very good reputation for growing well-rounded talent. Triple threat. I've never attended a "normal" school. From 5-16, it was Annie, jazz hands and tutus!

5. Can you think of a favorite experience when you were a backing vocalist for artists like Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige?

I was always closely observing their interactions with people. I found this fascinating to watch. Bocelli was pretty consistently nice and easy. Mary J. Blige ... well a DIVA and rightly so.

6. Let's talk about your debut album, You & I.

I had to tell myself that I was only recording demos. There was a bit of pressure on me as I was producing it, writing it and singing it all myself. So I just got stoned and experimented. It was a fun summer at the studio. I did most of it at OWL studios, which belongs to Andrew Hale from Sade. High white walls, Zen place. Perfect for me. The rest was at Studio 13, which belongs to Damon Albarn. Lots of red and underground. Very different vibe! But getting high indoors was not an issue there! Old school smoking at the mixing desk kinda vibes!

7. What was the inspiration for your latest released single, "Suddenly?"

Love. Waiting for the one you love to appear. Thinking that you will die just waiting. Worrying that maybe something has happened to them if they are three minutes late to meet you. The anticipation of love.

8. Generally, how do you go about putting a song together?

It's different for every song. Not a big fan of systems and rules. It's just about application and taking the inspiration when it catches you. 1am, 3pm, on the toilet. I had a great melody last night but was too tired and lazy to get out of bed to grab my phone to make a voice note. Wish I had now. But if I did that every time, I'd sleep even less then I already do.

9. What other songs are you excited to share with your fans from You & I?

I don't know ... it is for them to choose their preference. I'd like them to be able to appreciate the way everything should hopefully tie together. The story of a love affair over a year, the intimacy and detail of the videos, artwork and music will hopefully make for a nice all-around experience.

10. At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music?

LOVE.

Interview by Leah Brungardt