WE INTERVIEW ALVLA!
What made you start music?
I’ve always had music all around me, so it came pretty naturally to me! I was a pretty creative kid when I was younger, so I would do all sorts of things in my free time, and one of those things would be singing about my day and random things.
It never really occurred to me, whilst growing up, that this could be a future that I want to pursue, I just had big feelings and I wanted somewhere to put it. Music is something so personal to me, which is why I hate the idea of it being catered to anyone that isn’t yourself. They’re my feelings, my words and my own expressions, so it feels unauthentic and fake if I make something that isn’t for me. I’m a big believer in doing things for yourself, and I believe that being true to yourself brings you what you need rather than what you want. Even though writing music and being an artist comes with people listening and having their own opinions, it’s always been a secret world that I will only know fully. Despite me sharing my music to whoever may be listening, there’s a hidden layer of it that is reserved for me and only me.
If you have one, what’s one story behind one of your songs you’d like people to know?
My song A home to live for! I think it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever written, it’s essentially a song about unrequited love and how this person will love everyone else the way you want to, except from you. I imagine a life where they are happy, and it’s a life without me in it because I want the best for them, and in this life, they understand their partner so deeply in the same way you craved to be treated. It’s not about grand gestures but rather folding their socks fresh from the laundry and watching TV together. All these boring and mundane activities, and yet you still adore your partner. But despite this life without me in it, you’ll still hear me on the radio and think of me once in a while, and as this lyric plays, there’s actually a clarinet that plays a bit of “Take me out”, which is the first song I ever released officially! It’s a really special song to me, and there are loads of references to my first ever album on there, which makes it even more personal when I listen back to it.
What are your main musical and non-musical influences through making music?
I often base my music on real-life experiences or even on my friends’ experiences whenever I get writer’s block. But a band I really look up to is Pinegrove, and how poetic their lyricism is! It tells such a vivid story, and for some reason, it just always captures my attention. They’re totally a band I can listen to at any point in my life and I will always be able to relate to one of their songs. Another really great artist is Mila de Gray! I love her production and again her songwriting, it’s so simple but so impactful. But more than anything, my biggest inspiration is my dad! He’s always been my biggest fan and biggest critic. Funnily enough, most of my lyrics are just things he’s said to me when I tell him about things I’m dealing with, and I suppose they’re like of a mantra I say to myself! It’s awesome having people relate to my music but to be honest, I’ve always loved this idea of doing things for yourself. Which is why I have all these personal aspects sprinkled into the production, so that everyone can enjoy listening to it, but I will always know that these songs were meant for me.