In the Green Room: aleksiah

 

Fresh from releasing her debut EP Who Are You When You’re Not Performing?, aleksiah is embarking on a national tour next month. We chat with her about hometown shows and building connections interstate...

Image by Lucinda Corin

We’re stoked to see you’re playing a hometown show this summer! You’ve just toured the country with Teenage Dads but what sets an Adelaide gig apart for you?

Yes, I had such an amazing time on tour but always happy to be back home. I think for me, it’s a couple things. Adelaide crowds are usually one of the more respectful of all the states, they really want to hear the songs and pay attention, which is always so lovely. I think also because Adelaide is such a big country town, I always have a friend or know someone in the audience at every gig, so it makes me feel at ease to see a friendly face.

What did you learn about yourself as a musician on the road with Teenage Dads?

On the road, I think I learnt that I don’t have to feel so tense and nervous before every show. The Dads spent every night playing handball and video games and to see them so relaxed was a bit of an awakening for me. Instead of staring at the wall for five hours before the gig, I went out with my band and explored the cities we were in, chatted with all the acts and crew and just had a bit of a chill, and it was so lovely. I know it seems like a trivial thing but it’s an important lesson I’ve learnt, and I think I had some of my best shows yet this run so it must be working!

You’re playing December 7 at Lion Arts Factory – what should people expect from the show?

Yes, I’m so excited! I’ve been teasing for the last couple months that my next era of music is going to be a bit more carefree and unserious, and the live show is going to match! Lots of dancing and chanting, and of course, as usual, lots of banter – a really fun time.

You’re heading to some regional(ish) locations too! What was your thought process behind this?

A lot of these towns I’ll be going to for the first time ever in my life. I think it’s so unfortunate that so many of these towns get skipped on headline tours. It makes live music feel inaccessible and that’s the last thing it should be. So I thought, why not add as many as I could do this run? I hope to keep adding more and more as I keep going!

You’ve been on the road a lot this year. How have you found developing a connection with interstate audiences? Why is it important for artists to continue getting out in front of different crowds?

This year has been a very busy tour year. I think building a connection with interstate audiences is a really rewarding experience, every city has a different way of responding to my set. Throughout the last couple of years, I’ve supported so many amazing acts and [played to] their fanbases. I think it’s important to broaden your horizons of who you play to just because you never know who’s going to like your music. I’ve had teens and 70-year-olds come up to me with lovely compliments. You can’t put your music in a box because you never know who’s going to love it!

You’ve also just released your debut EP, Who Are You When You’re Not Performing?. Now, on the other side of the record, what does the record mean to you? What is it about to you?

That first EP will always be so incredibly special to me. Even though I’m on the other side of its release, I feel the same. I’m proud of it, and I think it conveys what I wanted it to, the highs and lows and girlhood and growing up. I’m not a big fan of the sentiment of crapping on your old work as soon as you move on to the next era or project. They’re all my babies and I want to look back on every single one of them with a sense of joy and accomplishment.

Reflecting on 2024 for you, what three words would you use to describe this mammoth year?

Journey, excited and proud

What’s next for you musically?

A bit more fun and spontaneity in my music. I want to show the other side of who I am, someone a bit more silly and unserious. I felt that side of myself was only shown in glimpses in my last EP, so I want to give her a bit more time to shine. Lots more songs to come very soon, maybe even another body of work if I’m feeling crazy.

Catch aleksiah at Lion Arts Factory on December 7. Tickets on sale now via Moshtix.


 
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