Five minutes with ALOÏSE

Posted on 21 January, 2019

Those with a keen interest in Australian music know to keep an eye on Triple J’s Unearthed website. 

A musical forum where unsigned bands and musicians can upload their music for fans and Triple J staff to listen to, rate and critique, some of Australia’s best-loved talent has made their radio and chart debuts after being discovered through Unearthed.

So when Canberra singer-songwriter ALOÏSE woke up to discover that her newest single, Never Thing, had made it to #1 on the Unearthed Indie Charts and #2 on the Unearthed Overall Charts, to say she was excited was an understatement.

Describing the moment as “Overwhelming, wonderful and motivating,” ALOÏSE says it was a chance for her to reflect on how far she’d come.

“I felt the deepest gratitude to my friends and community. As an independent artist, you really do feel as if you are releasing your baby into the abyss of the internet. What an incredible age we live in, to have so much at our fingertips, but our social media is very over-saturated.”

“I’m honestly in disbelief that so many people have taken the time to listen, review and write to me. I really do believe in the power and importance of having a small community of loyal friends and supporters. I am very lucky.”

A familiar face at many of Canberra’s live music venues, we caught up with ALOÏSE to see what 2019 has in store for her.

Walk us through your musical journey so far

I’ve always loved music, and from a young age was lucky enough to learn the piano. I’ve always found music to be a form of catharsis and the ultimate self-expression.

I’ve studied music throughout my life, including at university, and am continually learning. ‘Never Thing’ is my first release, but I have been writing and recording for many years. I am at a point in my life and career where I finally feel ready to put my music out into the world.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Honest, melodic, warm

Where did your name come from?

‘ALOÏSE’ is an amalgamation of my name (Amy Louise). To write and sing is to be vulnerable. I wanted a name that would be a natural extension of ‘me’, but far enough away to be free from any self-doubt or uncertainty. Being ALOÏSE is empowering.

What are some of your influences?

I find inspiration from other Aussie/NZ female singer-songwriters: Kimbra, Thelma Plum, Vera Blue, Missy Higgins. I have roots in classical and jazz, and adore Esperanza Spalding, Lianne La Havas and Laura Mvula who are all genre-crossing, powerful, talented female musicians.

My deepest influences would be Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling and Carole King. Although my single, ‘Never Thing’, doesn’t fit into the ‘folk’ genre as such, I look to these women as storytellers, who aspire to make people feel something. I want to do the same.

What does the rest of 2019 hold for you?

More music, gigs, releases and an album. I would love to tour Australia. I am ready, so I hope you all are too. It’s just going to get bigger and better from here.

You can find ALOÏSE on Spotify, Triple J Unearthed and her website.