This week KEVIN MAGEE talks to a Banbridge blow-in whose partnership with a Derry producer could be set to reap her huge rewards.
She would describe herself as having substantial lyrics, upbeat dancibility, versatile vocals and hooks which will be caught in your mind and throat for days on end.
I would tend to agree, ALICE LA is one of Ireland’s most exciting singer/songwriters. Drawing inspiration from Lady Gaga, Adele and Florence and the Machine, she doesn’t fit the mould of typical artists. With relatable lyrics and stunning soulful vocals, combined with upbeatproduction she has carved out a whole niche for herself and created something really unique and spectacular.
Alice is from Banbridge, and La is not her real surname, I know what it is but I’m not a tout…
How do find the music scene in Derry being a foreigner?
"I think there is a lot of talent in Derry, I went to a gig and it was my first time in Derry a few months back and I couldn’t believe how amazing they were and friendly, now I just love going. I honestly think there should be more music as it’s a very creative city full of creatives, we should all take trips down more often from my neck of the woods!"
Whose music are you enjoying at the moment?
"Local music acts that I’m really loving at the moment would be Susie Blue, LAOISE, Amy Montgomery, Lilla Vargen and Aislinn Logan, All very different styles of music but all very equally amazing and local."
What are you writing about?
“My single ‘Swipe Right’ is about dating apps and the whole experience of it is using them. I think my lyrics are relevant to someone as I try to write so it means something to someone else and it’s not just about me, if you know what I mean?. I think I do. Aye."
Is there a shift in the tide for female artists at the minute and do you feel part of it.....?
“No I don’t think so; I think it’s 50/50 in music in Northern Ireland. I think there are really talented men and really talented women; just a bunch of humans making nice music is what I think. I just love how there are so many different kinds of original artists in our country now male and female. I also find that most of them help each other out and work together which is beautiful."
Popstar
'Swipe Right' was produced by local lad GARY CURRAN, once a member of Japanese Popstars and now involved in every other aspect of music industry…
What made you want to get involved with Alice?
“It was all a bit of an accident really. I was delivering a music programme for Giga training at the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast and Alice just happened to be part of the group involved.
"She had shared the original version of the track and was already actively looking to learn and improve her ideas. I told her I could help and sent her a little snippet on how I could potentially add to the track. Alice thankfully liked what I did and we took it from there.
"Alice is very talented and has a great voice too which made the decision quite easy. We seem to make a good team and it is very exciting and a privilege to be involved. Hopefully people enjoy the music and Alice can build a successful career too."
Does the producer panic as much about public reaction as the artist?
“Yes, it is always a worry about how people will react to music projects you are involved in. As I am managing Alice La this has enhanced. Add to that an extra element of worry as I have also delivered a remix of 'Swipe Right' under my Curntables guise.
"All in all, I have a triple layer or panic and worry. I am excited to watch how Alice La develops and the quirky video for 'Swipe Right' will help people relate to the music even more so. Hopefully people like what they see and hear and as I always say, even to have people listen is a success in itself”.
You can see Alice live at Soundwaves on 26th July ...and Sunflower Festival on 28th July or any other time at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-dtGOm4cH7o-_QOOllcPQ?view_as=subscriber
'Swipe Right' is available from on Google Play, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music.
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