Alya – American Beauty

By starrymag | December 12, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Authentic, inspiring, rich.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I keep coming back to classical music and Slavic folk for inspiration. There is nothing more powerful for me than that gentle lullaby melody that my mom and grandma sang to me. Folk music is in my DNA.

Q) How did your time living in Russia shape who you are as a musician?

A) From a popular music standpoint, it does put me in some ways, in the old fashion category, since I believe in the power of strong melody versus beats and vibe. It is almost like talking about the difference between Russian and Western literature. Russians tend to think more about what is inside, about a gentle and ethereal soul than a body. I like to think that the melody is your storyline, context and that you work hard to find the right sound. I spend a lot of time working on the central theme and lyrics than on anything else.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song, “American Beauty.”

A) “American Beauty” is not just a song; it is a new chapter for me as a musician and philanthropist. It is also a personal moment. I introduced to the world the issue that I am passionate about – women’s immigration. I am a first-generation immigrant myself; I am proud of it; this is the story I tell my daughters. On a bigger scale, I hope to change the discussion about immigration from political to personal.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I like to think that the sincerity of it, the light, the positivity is what they connect to. We live in such an uncertain and sometimes dark time; we need sunshine.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The music video for the song adds another visual dimension and tells several inspiring stories. All actors were immigrants. The majority of people on the set were immigrants. It was so magical and connected all of the pieces.

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It varies. But lately, I come to songwriting very cautiously and think about the message and impact it carries. It makes the process more complex and more like a product creation. I have a mood board; I collect inspiration pieces, develop additional elements like apps or exhibits, etc.

Q) Producer Bill Schnee helped out on your single, but how much of a hand do you have in your music production?

A) Bill Schnee worked as a producer for my entire second album, not just a single, and I could not ask for a better person. He is a legendary professional, but, at the same time, very appreciative of one’s vision. I do have an eye for everything I create, and he let me blossom instead of self-expression. It is priceless. Bill was overseeing the whole production process, and the results are just insane. We have a live orchestra, exotic instruments — you name it.

Q) How did you come to work with Dave Aude on the remix of the song “American Beauty?”

A) It was an exciting project for me, which opened the door to a broader audience. My manager thought we should do a dance version of “American Beauty” since this song had club potential and I am glad I said yes. As a result, we scored #16 on the Billboard Dance charts in just two weeks!

Q) Will a full album or EP be coming shortly?

A) My second mini-album, which is deeply rooted in my Slavic cultural background, is up for release in 2021. This makes me super excited. Before that, look out for the “Pleasure Is Mine” single, which is extraordinary. It is such a unique mix of folk and mainstream with a great message!

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

A) I am not very much a stage person. I prefer creativity versus performance and, in this case, I am not missing anything.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform, and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) My favorite place to perform is next to the campfire. I generally love intimate settings. I enjoy personal connections to people instead of entertaining them.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Celine Dion, Adele, Daft Punk.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to, and why do you dig them?

A) I started recently practicing kundalini yoga and came across the White Sun band. This is something that I have “on replay.”

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I try to answer all direct messages and react to comment from people if they are written with good intention. I help when I can. I do not respond to negative interactions.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I want to thank all those people, sincerely. With my work, I try to change the world to a better place little by little. I hope that it will become a chain reaction and someone else will be inspired by it and do the same. There is no small thing you can do.