The New York Bass and Funk superstar drops a new piece of magic
With over 2 million YouTube views and a high-profile support slot on Talib Kweli’s latest tour, 23 year old Alissia has been turning heads with her slick, modern take on classic funk. With the help of her insanely talented band The Funketeers, Alissia’s music takes its cues from godfathers of the genre such as Sly and the Family Stone or Parliament, but there are hints of more recent afropop forward thinkers like Janelle Monae. Underpinned by Alissia’s elastic bass playing, ‘Take Off’ is a virtual masterclass in what the low end is capable of. Complete with call-and-response vocals straight out of Prince’s playbook and hyper-catchy space-age synths, it’s an irresistible call to party. Dan Prince heads to New York…
Alissia a huge welcome to DMCWORLD. Where in the world are you right now?
Thank you! I am currently in New York right now.
We loved the cheeky photo you put on Facebook over New Year parading on white sands in front of a turquoise sea…where the hell were you?
Haha! I was in the Caribbean. It was indeed wonderful…
What were some of the holiday grooves you were listening to whilst chilling on the beach…?
I listened to a lot of albums…I listened to some new music such as Prince’s album Hit N Run (Volume 1 & 2 which just came out), Erykah Badu-Hotline Bling but also to D’Angelo-Black Messiah, Larry Graham-My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me, Brian Culberston – Bringing Back The Funk, Chukii Booker-Niice N Wiild, Don Blackman – Don Blackman, The Time- Pandemonium and a many more!!
Well, you have hit the ground running in 2016 with the forthcoming release of your ‘Back To The Funkture’ EP which is out on January 29th. Please talk us through the music
My music basically incorporates a lot of funk music of course as a foundation but also has some pop elements. Some songs are sung by 3 singers and myself and some other songs feature a vocalist of the group or myself. The music has a big emphasis on heavy bass grooves (of course since I am a bass player!) and also on keys (organ, synths), horns ( with horn sections features), funky guitars and of course solid drum grooves. It is definitely an experience! Lyrically, I wanted to convey different messages so each songs has its own message. Overall it is all about positivity / positive thinking.
You started with music early, you were only four years old when you started learning the piano. Back then, were you growing up with music around you?
I was listening to a lot of funk music but really more so because I was into it. My parents did listen to music often as well but funk music was something I was always very much into.
What is one of your first musical memories?
I would say perhaps my first piano recital! I remember we each played about 3 quick songs on piano and at the end we all received a little gift! The good ole times!
You have lived in numerous places around the world. Born in Geneva, lived in London and Milan and now New York. What was with all the relocations?
Haha! Well, I was born in Geneva and lived there until the age of 9, then we moved with my mother and my siblings to Milan since she re-married. After that, I moved to Boston for my studies at Berklee College Of Music for about 4 years and now I am here in New York! While I was studying in Boston my mother relocated to London so it makes London a new hometown!
Ideas for your music come to you all the time – you are always leaving notes on your phone or a scrap of paper. Have you ever had any amazing ideas for music that have come to you in the strangest of places?
Yes indeed! All sorts of places actually.. I was once just grocery shopping and I came up with a bass line which then became the bassline for Back To The Funkture actually! Very random…!
A famous quote of yours…”The live performance of my song Let It Out changed my career. It got over a million views on YouTube and really made me think I could do this.” So, the obvious question – was there some doubts or lacking of self-belief before this happened?
Well I wouldn’t say that I doubted myself in what I was doing but it was more so seeing the incredible response from people all over the world, really made me believe in what I was doing. It was more so a push to make me write more, work harder and take this project to another level!
Very sad news for the world of music this week with the passing of David Bowie. Where you a fan of the man and his music?
Of course I think everybody loved his music! I was very saddened by the news…
You like to record in the mornings and evenings. In the day time you spread your wings around New York. Where are some of the places around the Big Apple we will find you in your hours off…?
I spend most of my time in my studio! This is the place where I really spend most of my hours… But I do like to get some fresh air and I would walk around the Soho area or west village. I love going to coffee shops and enjoy a good espresso!
You are an old soul. You love some incredible funksters from days gone by. So we give you a time machine and you can go and fetch the ultimate singers and musicians to make up a fantasy band for one show only. Who do you go and grab?
Wow that would be a dream!! Haha I would pick James Brown, Michael Jackson, George Clinton, Chukii Booker, Larry Graham and Bootsy Collins, Herbie Hancock on main keys, Greg Phillinganes on keyboards, Wah Wah Watson on guitar, Roger Troutman on talk box and Dennis Chambers on drums! Nice line up what do you think?!
I think it would be amazing. When was the last time a piece of music made you cry though?
Wow, I don’t really cry often when I hear music but I cried once over Meshell Ndegeocello’s song Faithful.
“This female bassist is the future face of funk music” – a great comment from The Huffington Post. Would you agree?
Well I was very very honoured. It definitely motivated me to work harder and harder haha!
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
I am actually writing my next record (yes already!!) Very excited to be recording this new material and to be working with a new crew. Of course I can’t wait to share with you all as well!
‘Take Off’ the single is taken from the upcoming ‘Back To The Funkture’ EP, out January 29th
