Emilia Ali
Photo Credit: Jasmine Oh
Emilia Ali is an artist that transcends genre. Throughout her young career, the singer/songwriter has gone down every creative avenue, from EDM to soft indie-pop. The 23-year-old never falls short in showing off vocal chops. Whether it’s the crafty lyrics heard in “Thick Thighs” or her delicate tone in “Loved the ocean,” Ali is a multidimensional talent. Only three years following her Spotify debut, the artist has brought upon a devout fanbase through her music style. Millions of Spotify streams paired with nearly 200k monthly listeners speaks volumes in the way that she connects with her audience. Her last song, “Soft”, was released earlier this year and saw significant streaming success. Ali says she plans on debuting her Girls like you EP soon. We spoke to the artist about her songwriting, favorite activities away from the studio, and more!
How did you start making music?
My mom is a folk artist and I was born at the peak of her music career, so I was with her from 7 weeks- 4 ish years old as she toured on and off through the US. My dad is a drummer and was her drummer/manager at the time. I would perform here and there when I was a kid and throughout high school. I started writing intense little sad songs when I was super young. They weren’t good but I *FELT* that shit despite not being old enough to have experienced a broken heart. I felt like I knew how it felt to be someone else. And I think I attracted hurtful people and experiences into my life for a while because of that perspective. I had fought the idea of attempting an “artist” career until I spent some time at Berklee college of music. My dad and I are both alums and I had intended to study music therapy there. But then I performed at a showcase and a few producers asked me to sing their songs, and I liked how that felt. So I kept following those opportunities and eventually began writing all the time like how I did when I was little; lots of questionable songs, and many that mean a lot to me. I am eternally grateful for parents who encouraged this and helped me realize the power in self expression.
What do you like to do when you’re not in the studio?
I love being around trees and drawing, learning about the body/mind connection and listening to way too many podcasts about it, I love being there for what/who I love. I love doing things I liked to do when I was little.
Where is your go-to location when it’s time to write?
Anywhere outside. I’ve been quarantined with family for the past couple months and have been writing by our garden everyday, it’s a dream.
We love “Loved the ocean”. What was the inspiration for the song?
THANK you : )“Loved the ocean” for me carries the weight of my first real relationship as well as the one I’m in now. It’s weird but in my dreams the two of them are usually meshed into one character. I think it’s because they both have had the biggest impact on me. I always felt unworthy when I was younger, and in high school, I felt like “if I can make him love me, THEN I’ll believe I’m worthy” and I’ve been trying to undo that mindset ever since I became aware of it. So yeah, though fueled by recycled emotions, the song is actually more about an imagined break up with my present relationship. I’m actively trying to learn how to have him in my life without projecting my own anxiety and skewed sense of self onto him. Last summer he and I were at the beach and I went in the ocean but he didn’t play with me. And about a week later I was hanging out with my friends Noah McGuire and Nicole Lucca catching up when this behemoth of sadness poured out.
What was the last song you listened to?
The new banger from Sylvan Esso “Ferris Wheel”.
Who’s your partner in a dream collab?
I think Still Woozy... his production and style make me excited about music.
Any future projects for fans to get excited about?
My EP Girls like you will be out super soon. I’ve redone these songs’ productions like 3 times over because the lyrics are precious to me and I wanted to get the feeling right. So i'm very excited to finally share it and shed the emotions tied to it. I’m also working on an EP with my friend Mario, producing more and more myself, and have a cover of one of my fave songs from middle school coming out sometime in September with wearetheguard. It’s weird I love it and i can not wait to share it with you when it’s out.
