In this exclusive interview with Sonic Sisters Magazine, Spanish singer-songwriter ALI invites us into her world, sharing the journey behind her artistry and the inspirations that drive her unique sound. With the recent release of her debut album, Mirage Vol. 1, ALI steps confidently into the pop music scene, carving out her own space with stories that resonate deeply. Each track is crafted to capture emotions that are both intensely personal and universally relatable, making ALI a refreshing voice in today’s music landscape. As an independent artist, ALI takes creative control seriously, overseeing every part of her work—from songwriting and production to managing her own social media. “I try to write the music I find missing in what would be my ideal playlist,” she shares, a philosophy that is fully embodied in the tracks of her album. Inspired by pop icons like Taylor Swift and LÉON, ALI seamlessly blends heartfelt storytelling with vibrant, catchy melodies, giving a fresh spin to the familiar while staying true to her own artistic vision. This young artist has only just begun, and, Mirage Vol. 1, is proof that she’s ready to make waves, one story at a time.
Continue reading to learn more about ALI. . .
Thanks for chatting with us at Sonic Sisters Magazine! Can you share a bit about how your journey into music began?
Music’s always been an important factor in my life, in all of its forms. I had never written songs until quarantine hit and while people decided to start baking sourdough loafs I decided to start baking songs and now I just can’t stop. I had moved to London less than a year before that, the world was going mad and the best way I found to express what I was going through was writing songs.
Who have been some of the most significant influences on your musical style?
I always like to have the doors open to any artists or genres to influence my music, though the main ones would obviously be pop music and singer-songwriting. I always do musical research before starting the production of the next song and I love to add a dramatic touch to my songs that could be influenced by my love for musicals songs.
And which female musicians or women in the music industry have inspired your journey?
I’d say Taylor Swift and LÉON. We all know Taylor Swift is a great storyteller. She really inspires me when it comes to creating a scene in which to develop the story of the song, and LÉON’s music style gets really close to the concept that I would like to develop in my music.
How do your personal experiences shape your songwriting, and what do you hope listeners take away from those connections?
My songs are directly related to my personal experiences, from moving away from home to the everyday surviving in the big city. I write about how I feel and what I’m going through. I’d love listeners to be able make my songs theirs to fit in their live and experiences.
Congratulations on your brand-new album 'Mirage Vol, 1' - what inspired this particular album?
Mirage Vol. 1 talks about all the expectations and dreams I had about this journey and how the interactions and feelings evolved during the first months here. How my perspective slowly changed and how I started overthinking about all the decisions that brought me to that moment.
What song (not your own) has had the biggest influence on you and why?
It depends on the moment and my mood. All the music I listen to influences how I may feel. I may become obsessed with a song for a month and then forget about it for a long time. My grandma used to write songs and my mum would always sing them to me when I was little and I always felt something special with music because of them. Those became the first songs I learnt and memorised.
Is there a song in your catalog that holds a special personal meaning for you? We'd love to hear the story or inspiration behind it.
All of my songs represents different moments in my life, all have a part of myself in them and hold a special place in my heart. All of them are really personal but ‘When the summer’s back’ will always have something special as is the first song I ever wrote and also published.
I talks about the nostalgia of thinking about going back home during the lockdown, when you couldn’t do anything but stay home, and I was my first year in London, going through so many emotions and the only think I wanted to do was go back home with my family and friends.
What are some of the aspirations you have for your music moving forward?
First I’m gonna finish the ‘Mirage’ project. Volume one is already out, but there’s a whole volume two to finish and release, probably next year. I’m planning on doing more live shows to bring these songs closer to the people and hopefully just keep on doing what I love, which is to write songs.
What advice would you give to emerging female artists who are just starting out in the music world?
Work hard, go step by step because the best things in life take time. Enjoy the small wins as it’s what it will give you strength to keep working and have fun during the process. It’s gonna be tough and it’s gonna stink sometimes, just write a song about it.
Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?
I hope they love the album and they enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it.
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