Diandra Interviews Alita: Comfortably Getting “Too Close”
I fell in LOVE with ALITA. Her new single is sexy and thoughtful; making intimacy feel like it is motorcycle driving through a tunnel of flashing lights. She know how to make a song transfer into an atmospheric vibe, and, in this interview, I see why she has such a talent. She is fearless when it comes to opening up, which is why she makes her listeners feel open.
Diandra: Singing to human nature, how would you define what it means to be human?
ALITA: That’s a big question to kick these off! I love it. I think being human means to be self-aware; to be able to contemplate our own existences. That’s not the level I went to when writing Human Nature, that was more of an exploration of why we go back to the things that we know aren’t the best for us. But I stand by both definitions!
ALITA – Too Close (Official Audio)
Diandra: Bouncing off that question, what do you feel leaves you vulnerable as a person that translates into your music?
ALITA: I don’t think I have the gene that makes people feel more reserved in their self-expression or daily lives. That’s not to say I don’t have challenges with self-confidence, but when it comes to honesty and vulnerability, I have no problem getting into the thick of it. Throughout my life, I’ve been someone who will have complete strangers or new acquaintances come up to me and tell me their personal stories. I would just kinda nod, and be like “okay you want to go there? Sure, let’s do it!” My friends tell me it’s something about my personality and the energy I give off that I’m open to going there. I’ll take it! It sure makes writing come easier.
Diandra: What was the inspiration behind “Too Close?”
ALITA: ”Too Close” was written in response to a love gone sour. Over a year ago, I was seeing someone new. I was smitten. We ended up not being on the same page with what we wanted, and I felt really disappointed and honestly surprised. While sorting through those feelings, I did a little writing exercise where I tried to write from the perspective of my partner. I didn’t understand his side, I wanted to make sense of what he might be feeling and “Too Close” was born! It’s really a song about that buzzing feeling you get in your chest when you start to like someone, that anxiety and thrill. Then it starts to sink in, and you feel hesitant to let anyone come too close for comfort.
DIandra; What are the qualities you look for in a partner/ person, that makes you get close to them?
ALITA: I don’t have the best dating history as of late, I’ve been so heads down on music. But what really attracts me to someone is the energy they bring to my own energy – the chemistry we have. I want to be with someone who has a great sense of humor, is passionate about life, and treats me well. Let me know if you find one of those!
Called Alita Joy, what brings you happiness?
ALITA: Doing this! Getting to make music and then talk about it and perform it. I also love to pet my 3 dogs, read, craft, binge watch good TV, cook, garden. There’s so much to enjoy in this life.
Diandra: What has been the wisest advice or lesson you learned on how to be happy?
ALITA: That happiness exists in the present moment, and any opportunity we tune into now will help us find more peace and happiness.
Diandra: Admiring music, how have you witnessed music as a healer in your own life?
ALITA: Oh, 100%! The healing power of music is the primary reason I do it. It exists beyond the physical, beyond what we can understand. Music translates beyond boundaries. It’s a piece of Heaven.
Diandra: Who is your favorite spoken word artist, and what is your favorite spoken word verse?
ALITA: I’ve recently been listening to IN-Q’s work. He’s really something. I can’t say I have any favorite spoken word verses memorized, but I did see something, recently, he wrote that I loved: “We are human beings first / Beyond the boundaries in the dirt / So how we treat each other / Should be how we measure our worth”
Diandra: Defined as “New Age Pop” what do you feel makes you New Age?
ALITA: I’m not sure how people would define New Age, but my guess is it has a lot to do with the production style. I do use a lot of synths and I love a good vocoder. My goal is to not be tied to any production style – to find a sound that exists beyond genre lines. I’ll let you know when I think I’ve found it!
ALITA – If I Have To (Official Music Video)
Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory with music?
ALITA: Just performing alongside people who love it as much as I do, and having that community. Pursuing a solo career can be really lonely, so I look back fondly on a lot of memories in choir, in theatre, singing Christmas carols with family.
Diandra: You love exploring themes of social justice. What are the songs that have most inspired you to see the power of social justice?
ALITA: Yes, I do! None of the songs I’ve released so far have explored those themes, but I’ve worked on a few that really do. The first song that comes to mind is “Love It If We Made It” by The 1975. It’s probably my favorite song off their last album, and the whole song is just.. wow.
Diandra: What are some topics of social justice, you feel the world must speak about and amend even more?
ALITA: I think racial and gender justice are issues I’m passionate about being given more attention. I, genuinely, believe that all the injustices and inequalities we see in our world are interwoven. For example, you don’t see true racial justice without examining women and gender rights, so it’s hard to nail down only a few.
Diandra: How has the current pandemic affected how you consume and create music?
ALITA: I’ve always listened to a lot of music, but I’m sure the hours spent listening have increased! I’m still writing almost everyday, but my time in the studio has stopped altogether, so I’m really missing that creation piece. I’m excited to get back in there when it’s safe to do so. Right now, we’re focusing on “Too Close” and another single coming out mid-summer, but next to those projects, getting back in the studio is high priority.
Diandra: Taking non-traditional routes and elements to making your music, what has been your favorite experiment with your creative process?
ALITA: I feel like a lot of my writing process is pretty predictable, but one thing I hadn’t tried before writing “Too Close” was the writing exercise I mentioned earlier – where I wrote about the situation from the other person’s perspective. I actually think I’m going to do that more often. Most times, writers are sitting in their own feelings and making sense of them through writing music. Some of my favorite songs I wrote, growing up, were exploring stories other people have told me. I need to get back to that.
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