THE GIRL WITH NO FACE ALLIE X IS READY FOR WORLD DOMINATION
Canadian born pop star Allie X has taken a break from music but is back with vengeance. Currently on a high from releasing her new album, Girl with No Face, this project takes a deep dive into her darkest thoughts over the past few years, allows Allie X to express her raw emotions and heal in her own way from past anger and trauma.
As she prepares for her North American Tour, we got a chance to sit down with the “Weird World” singer to discuss how she fell in love with music, moving to LA to start her career and everything in between. Keep scrolling to learn all about Allie X and what she has coming next.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
Growing up your parents always played classic rock music. How did this introduction to rock music influence your current musical style?
I wouldn’t say I was super influenced by what my parents played. But they did have an appreciation of rock and that spirit that I think made me feel comfortable expressing myself and letting myself “be a rocker” haha. Meaning, their lack of uptightness was probably helpful for me.
Did you always know you wanted to be a musician? At what point in your life did you realize your love for it?
Yes, I did. Well, I always knew I wanted to be on stage singing. I always wanted attention. If you look back at old video footage of me as a kid, I was always putting on a play or a performance. Pushing my sister off the camera lol.
Some people may not know that you went to college for a year & studied musical theater. Although you didn’t like it enough to stick with it, what are some things you applied from your time in musical theater into your artistry?
Hmm yes, I did it out of college for a couple years. I got cast in the ensemble of a few musicals. I got bored quickly though. I felt underutilized and my creativity couldn’t be applied. That’s why I started writing and performing full time. I do find the training I have both annoying- like how I sing, I wish it was a bit more raw, but also useful. My technique saves me, so that I can sing many shows one after the other. I don’t know. Musical theatre has a magic to it when it’s done well, and it’s so cringe when it falls short.
While in college you discovered indie electronica music. Who were some artists you were listening to back then and how did this genre of music make you feel?
It was my friend Nautiluss that really introduced me to a lot of the really experimental electronic stuff. Nicolas Jaar is one I remember. A lot of other stuff I’ve forgotten because it’s not the genre I listened to. It was quite educational though. It opened my mind. I have always been drawn more to the pop way of composing a song though and ultimately look to the new wave artists of the 80’s for the most synth pop inspo.
You also studied classical music for a few years. You’ve spoken about your love for classical piano music, but you didn’t like the vocal aspect due to it being very strict and having to use only one part of your voice. Did you feel limited by this artistically? Tell us more about your time studying classical music.
When I was a teenager, I decided I wanted to apply to this boarding fine arts school called Interlochen. They only had a classical voice program and a jazz one. They also had a theatre program. But that was really for actors, which I’m not the strongest at.
I became set on making it into this program. In retrospect it was kind of a weird and difficult decision. I don’t know why I wanted it so bad. Anyway, I learned classical music in the next 6 months and auditioned. I was waitlisted then accepted.
In the program I ended up being favored by the teachers. Turns out my voice was very well suited for it. My high range went way up, and I developed vibrato, learned how to sing in German and Italian… that kind of thing. Ultimately though, it didn’t excite me, and I didn’t want to devote myself to it and lose the other parts of my voice (which is kind of what you must do).
Also, most of the classical voice students were so humorless and boring ha-ha. I was like, I don’t want to spend my life around these people. That’s when I decided to pursue a musical theatre program for college. Those people were way more fun and gay! Ha-ha
After deciding to leave college, you took various odd jobs to support yourself. From teaching vocal lessons, to being in a cover band and small acting roles. Which of these jobs did you enjoy the most? What did you learn about yourself during this time in your life?
Umm I did cater and background work as well. I hated doing that shit. The best was the cover band. It was a fun group of people (a lot of whom I’m still close to). And it was a way to make my entire rent in one night. And I was good at it. I learned a lot about how to perform in that band. I am still grateful for Dwayne Gretzky to this day. If you live in Toronto, it’s likely you know them.
While living in Toronto you recorded lots of music but were still discovering your sound & learning to produce your own music. How long did it take you to find your own musical style, and why did you choose to learn how to produce your own music?
It took ages. Musical theatre really set me off on the WRONG path as a songwriter lol. Everything I wrote sounded like Jason Robert Brown or something in the beginning (but not as good). I was too literal with my lyrics. I was so nerdy ha-ha.
Thank God my cool friends in Toronto were still willing to play with me. The other problem was I wrote everything on the piano and always returned to the same chordal structures. It wasn’t until a producer basically told me he didn’t like my songs and to go learn Ableton, that my songs started improving.
Learning production and maybe even more importantly the language of music production was so essential in finding the Allie X sound. I could demonstrate what I heard in my head. Alter on a timeline. And communicate with others.
While visiting a friend in LA you felt like you were meant to be there. What about LA did you feel you needed that Toronto wasn’t giving you?
Opportunities. A place for ambition. Toronto is quite humble. Which is lovely. But I had big dreams.
Through networking you got an internship in LA that turned into a publishing deal. Tell us about how this happened and your beginning stages as a songwriter.
I got an internship in Toronto that got me a flight to LA to meet some TV/Film composers. I asked them to extend my ticket, and I crashed on a friend’s couch, sent emails and made cold calls to everyone I could find. I got 2 meetings lol. One of them led to a publishing deal. A bad deal, but it got me to LA.
How did you balance song writing for others and creating your own music? That couldn’t have been easy!
I don’t anymore ha-ha. I stopped writing for others. I loved writing with Troye though. I’ll always be grateful for that.
Why did you adopt x into your stage name?
Alexandra is my full name. I wanted something with an X in it because of that. At the same time, I started learning about Jung and the shady self. Got deep into the ego and different identities. I loved that X could represent so many different unknowns. Taking X as my last name felt infinite and like a fresh start.
Even though you were writing songs for other artists, you used this to your advantage by leveraging this to make your own connections as an artist. Through industry connections, you began working with Troye Sivan and many others. Before Troye began putting out his own music, he tweeted about one of your songs and a few years later you started working with him. Take us back to this time and talk about what this experience was like and some things you learned from it.
I loved working with Troye. One thing I took away from working with him was how powerful having a built-in fan base was. Because of his huge YouTube following, he really got to make the record he wanted to make. I learned it’s all about the fans.
When did you start performing at music festivals? Take us back to your first music festival and tell us about what that experience was like. Is there anything you learned from performing live that you’ve kept with you over the years?
I’m not really a festival artist. I hope that changes. But I’ve only ever really done afternoon slots and one offs. I imagine it’s so fun to do festival runs as a headliner.
What are your top 3 beauty products you take with you no matter where you’re going?
Centella, Honey Girl Organics Face Serum, Yay For Earth Balm.
You’ve always wanted to maintain your artistic independence and not create music based on what’s popular on the radio at the time even though you’re a pop artist. As you grow in popularity, how do you keep the balance of staying true to yourself and making music that will make you more popular?
Nah there was a time where I was trying to write for the radio. CLX II was kind of the peak of that. And I think it’s my most watered-down record as a result.
You’ve mentioned how you like to stand out as someone different, so your style reflects that. Where did you get your style inspiration from? What are a few fashion trends that you will never get rid of?
My style comes first from trying to hide my body in high school lol. Finding silhouettes that hid the parts I didn’t like. This made me get creative. I think that’s still the main impetus behind how I pick an outfit. Second is protecting myself and coming across as someone intimidating maybe?
What are your must-have fashion pieces you can’t live without?
Oversized blazers, polka dot tights, loafers.
You’ve released 7 projects in the last 10 years. How would you describe the evolution of Allie X musically during this time?
I’ve become way more comfortable honestly. That’s the main thing.
Which project was your favorite to date and why?
This one, but let’s see when I listen in a few years.
At what point in your career do you feel like you broke into the industry? Was there a shift that happened when you realized you made it? Tell us about that moment and how you knew you were going to make it in the industry.
I don’t feel I’ve ever broken lol.
A few years ago, you had to cancel the American leg of your tour due to an autoimmune disease you’ve been battling with over the years. How is your health now? When you realized you had to cancel your tour, how did you deal with this challenge and overcome it?
My health is ok. I’m always going in and out of the flare. No one really realizes that. I hope that timing lines up with important stuff.
You’ve spent the past 3 years in isolation, refusing to accept any input from outsiders for the first time in your career. What made you decide to cut out the noise and withdraw from everyone?
Anger.
How do you take care of your mental health?
I like yoga, meditation and reading. Phone calls with good friends. Time alone is also very important to me.
Fast forward to 2024, you’ve just released your latest project, “Girl with No Face”. What does the title mean and how would you describe this project to someone who’s never listened to your music?
The girl with no face is the name of the presence in the room with me that gave me the backbone to do something so daring.
You recently dropped the “Weird World” music video which gives a dark emo vibe paired with beautiful and strong vocals. On your Instagram you said this song documents a painful and liberating transition in how you saw yourself in the world. Talk to us about what this song means to you and how you were able to translate this feeling into your music.
The feeling was one of being humbled and almost embarrassed about how naïve I’d been with my career and moving into an era of seeing things how they really were.
Out of all 11 songs featured on “Girl with No Face”, which song have you been drawn to the most lately? Which song on this project was the most difficult to write?
Off With Her Tits. The most difficult to write was Black Eye.
You worked with your favorite guitarist George Pimentel for “Girl with No Face” who you’ve worked with in the past. Tell us about your relationship with George and why his sound was perfect for this album.
George is my romantic partner of 10 years. He introduced me to a lot of the bands and the spirit that influenced this record.
What’s next for Allie X? Is there anything your supporters can look forward to from you this year?
Touring, breast reduction, world domination…
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-In-Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Kaio Cesar (@kaiocsr)
Photography Assistant: Yavin (@helloyavin)
Makeup Artist: Kelby Adam (@cultofkelby)
Hairstylist: Anthony Martinez (@antoinemartinez)
Styling: Malcolm Smith (@malcomsmith)
