Alisa Xayalith, Musician 01.05.25

We’d love to hear about the creative process behind your latest album…

In many ways, my creative process for Slow Crush was a gradual extension of how I made my Superpowers EP. I continued collaborating with songwriters and producers on the typical writing circuit here in Los Angeles until I found people who aligned with my vision and taste in music. I began slowly building a body of work with songs naturally shaping into my eventual album. Looking back at the last 3-4 years, I completely overhauled how I wrote songs; collaborating with new songwriters and producers reinvigorated an otherwise isolating process. I learned so much about my weaknesses and strengths; I was encouraged and inspired. Building a community of people around a project was exactly what I needed to push myself into this next phase of my music career. This process felt familiar because it’s almost like you’re assembling a band of people together to make something meaningful.

As a local artist about to hit the road for a US tour, what are some of the biggest challenges you’re facing?

The greatest challenge is how costly touring is. With my project, I’m beginning from the ground up, and I don’t know how I’d be able to build the infrastructure I need without the help, good faith and expertise of friends who are in the live touring space. They’ve been paramount to helping me source gear and educating me on the technical aspects of putting a show together. I haven’t been a performer since before COVID. Everything feels brand new and exciting again. I’m headed out on tour in a week with the band Sunday (1994), it’s aptly named ‘the debut tour', the timing couldn’t be more perfect for having just released my album.

What’s the difference between opportunities for musicians back home and what you’re seeing internationally?

Los Angeles is a mecca for music; all your favourite artists and bands come to this city to play shows, write songs, and work on albums. The opportunities in NZ pale in comparison to those in LA. Simultaneously, it can be a tough place to be if you’re just starting out here as well. I’m so glad that NZ is my home, I was able to develop as an artist and hone my skills there before I leapt into the world. Everyone's journey differs, so I can only speak from my experience, and it’s been a unique one at that.

Are there any new trends or shifts in the music industry that you're excited about, especially for artists like yourself?

Lately, it feels like an ever-evolving conversation always shifting, and it’s hard to keep up, but I tend not to pay too much attention as it can get in the way of being my happy, creative, little self. One thing that's for sure, is that the output of songs being written and released is a lot faster than what I’ve been used to. Release cycles are shorter or pretty much don’t exist anymore, and even though I’ve just released an album, I’m already thinking about the next body of work, songs I want to write, and who I want to write them with. I believe the success of being an artist nowadays comes down to consistency and discipline. From writing and recording the songs to creative visual direction to how you interact with social media. Essentially, running a business 24/7, you have to really want it to put in the work.

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are navigating their own way through the industry?

Music first. Write, write, and write. Collaborate with other writers and producers, and learn the language of writing and recording yourself, what you like and don’t like. Social media is free to use. The algorithm is a blessing and a curse; however, it’s a great connector to the rest of the world, and you never know who’s going to be out there listening.

Written by Alisa Xayalith

Main photograph courtesy of Caity Krone