Project Description
Interview with
ALAE
(March 2020)
Interviewer – Dave Bruce
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I started researching and it didn’t take long for me to become a fan. Can you let me and any new fans know where it began, and a few words on how you have transitioned to here?
Alae started with Allister and I back in college. We were and still are hugely inspired by bands like Wilco, Feist, “Early Coldplay”, the Kings of Convenience, and so many other talented Artist. With the addition of Marika and Jayden as well a really supportive and inspiring bunch of behind the scenes members of the band, such as our manager, Mikee – we have started to evolve.
Not only as musicians, but as people.
This process has been pivotal for us not only as musicians and writers, but as people. Our latest work is the result of working with an American/Canadian Producer ‘Justin Gray’ and a genuine desire to explore all musical opportunities and avenues. As well as this, writing from a place that’s a little less Jaded has brought a whole new energy to our sound.
How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music (probably because it’s good maybe lol)?
I really struggle to pin point a genre that describes our sound. Not because we’re so damn hip that you ain’t ever heard something so interesting. Because it’s so broadly inspired.
At their core, our songs are a sort of cathartic experience. I think that honesty, acceptance and, quite often very intense emotions are at the core of most of our songs. I assume that’s why certain people can relate. At least that’s what I assume, haha!
Your new single “Summer Thing” has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
‘Summerthing’ is just a bit of fun to be honest. It has a pretty infectious beat and it’s probably the first happy go lucky tune we’ve ever churned out.
I’m proud of us, haha. It can get a bit gloomy some times. So let there be LIGHT! Not in a biblical sense though… A less bigoty kind of light, ya feel?
I see lots of videos every week and “Summer Thing” is one of my favorites for the year so far. Got me from the beginning and had me smiling from start to finish. Great use of colour, and the dancing sequences were perfect. How did you decide on the theme?
The Video was the Brain child of Ian and Dom from ‘Vision thing’ who were also the team who came up with the video concept for our song ‘Home’. They’re a very adaptable duo, with great ideas.
We’re all really chuffed with video as well.
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Your attention to detail was excellent. Who is the driving force behind the obvious impeccable desire you aim for?
I’m not really sure to be honest, I think what you’re talking about is just a result of everyone who’s involved caring a lot about our music. If one member of the team was gone, it wouldn’t be the same. We all add so much value, that it’d be hard to pin point.
When is the new EP being released and what tracks await your devoted fans?
The E.P comes out in June! We have 3 more songs for those that want them. The next one Is a song called ‘Lucy’ followed by, ‘Frozen in L.A’ and last but not a slow jam called ‘Please’.
They’re all quite different, but the production really ties them all together.
You have a tour of NZ coming up and then you are coming to Aus, yeah? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
Yeah, we’ll be touring NZ and AUS a lil later in the year. We can’t wait to get on the road! We’ve been practicing a high energy set to keep you moving, so you can expect good vibes and some out some f*cken riveting banter.
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
It depends on the day.
Today it’s a toss up between Carol king bringing me up on stage to sing a duet version of ‘will you still love me tomorrow’. Or, The Velvet Underground, playing ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ together.
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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
My favourite part of performing live is allowing myself to sing from a really emotional place, in front of an audience that I can feel connecting with me. It feels as if I’m somewhere else completely. So far inside my own head, yet so close to the energy of the crowd. It’s like I can feel their sympathy, or in some cases, their empathy.
It’s kind of transcendent.
The only thing that makes it feel even better, is when I’m holding a massive note, with my eyes closed, watching a kind of slide show of all the memories that still hurt to think about. But before finishing the note, the crowd already starts clapping and cheering, as if to say “it’s ok” it’s a sort of validation for the everything, and anyone that’s ever hurt me. I can’t even really explain how much I appreciate that, it’s really hard to put in to words.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco.
Artist – Can’t pick one, it’s ever changing.
Movie – Mysterious Skin by Gregg Araki.
Place to visit – Somewhere I haven’t been.
Venue to play – Auckland, Powerstation.
Food – Pasta (starchy bliss).
Drink – Petrol, nah lol – I’m a bit of a fish though aye.
Person in History – Ramon Te Wake.
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I’ve got a tattoo of a lil sail boat on my ankle
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Check out ALAE below
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
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New Zealand’s
ALAE
set to heat up the Aussie Summer
with new single
‘SUMMER THING’
Alae are set to heat up the Aussie Summer with a slice of pop perfection via their new single: ‘Summer Thing.’ The second release is from their forthcoming five-track EP coming out in June. Bottling sunshine into 3 minutes of top-down, head-nodding, sun-kissed euphoria, ‘Summer Thing’ continues the Band’s journey into Chart territory, which began with the radio smash, ‘Hit Me Where it Hurts.’
‘Summer Thing’ plays with the idea of a love match so perfect, it feels as good as Summer. Taking that thought and running in a different direction is award-winning directing-duo ‘Vision Thing’ who again partner with Alae to create the single’s accompanying video:
“This song is so catchy we’re pretty sure it’s going make even Goths want to dance on the beach. So that’s the idea we pitched to the band: a male goth trying to win over a female goth with a sick song and some slick moves. We’re really proud of this video. These guys are amazing to work with. They’re as chill and trusting as they are talented. Pretty sure they’re going to be kings of the world in the not too distant future.”
The year has only just begun, but it’s already been a big year for Alae. After seeing in 2020 with a repeat performance at ‘Rhythm & Vines’ in Gisborne, NZ the band have also collaborated with local hip-hop hero Kings, to release a second remix of ‘Hit Me Where It Hurts.’ A headline set at Auckland’s Pride celebration ‘Big Gay Out’ bought the noise to a 10,000-strong crowd early February. More live dates are on the cards, with a tour across New Zealand and Australia in the works for May 2020.
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