Allie X: When I was a kid I always wanted to be “a singer” but I didnt really know what that meant and neither did my parents. They were supportive and put me in singing lessons which ultimately led me down the road of musical theatre and classical music. To the point where I attended a prestigious board arts academy and studied classical voice for a couple years. Then went on to do a diploma in musical theatre performance and work in theatre for a few years in and around Toronto. I think if I really understood how it all worked I probably wouldn’t have spent so long in those disciplines and would have focused my energy on writing and becoming an artist much earlier.  Out of college that’s more the direction I went in. I started writing music and playing around Toronto venues with a band. But then of course I wasn’t a great writer at first. To answer your question, it wasn’t until I was 27 in the year 2013 that I got a start in Los Angeles which was the true beginning of Allie X. This was through a publishing deal. They signed me as a writer, gave me a visa and that’s how I ended up releasing my first song as Allie X “catch” which was ultimately my breakthrough.

I think coming from the indie rock scene in Toronto, it was hearing electronic music like Robyn, Austra, Aluna George and a couple others that made me realize that could be my sound. I was writing music at a piano that certainly didn’t work as rock, but once I understood electronic music I knew I could translate what I was doing to that sound in terms of production. And that’s when I started to learn Ableton and make my own demos.

I’ve learned over and over again to do it my way. That people don’t see it until I show it to them. That i’m not an obvious candidate… I’ve learned that despite all that, I have a value and a unique perspective and never to doubt that I have something special to offer.

Hmm. I think I’m kind of an interesting combination of theatricality, melody with a dark wit. I think the fact that I sing about stuff other than sexual attraction is somewhat unique too. Not sure..you’d be better off asking my fans hat question.

It depends who I’m working with. If I’m working alone like I was on Girl With No Face then I would probably start with a simple drum and bass loop, maybe add some chords, then I’d try to write the verse and hook melody pretty quickly to know I have something worth pursuing.

If I’m writing for their project I was never too picky when I started. Was just trying to get some cuts. Nowadays days I find working that way a bit soul destroying so I don’t do much of it. To work on someone else’s project, I’d have to be really invested creatively or see a financial reason to do so. I was so lucky with Troye on the two albums I did with him. It was really fun and cool music. I’ll always work with him if he wants me. Collaborations for my project, I’d be looking for someone that makes sense with my world. Who adds to it. I think features or remixes for features or remixes sake is kind of boring as well.

I sort of am but not too seriously. I am touring right now and that kind of takes all my energy and focus (and money hah).

Fashion is so fun. It’s armor, it can add poetry to your work.

Umm I guess I just look to talented designers and take risks. I know what I like.

Long term goal in music would be to create a sustainable business for myself with employees that I trust and for the creative process to remain thrilling. Outside of music I strive to be closer to nature, family and friends. To have a calmer more balanced life. I’ve become pretty hardened and a workaholic because of my years in the industry. I would love to change that. I would also love to diversify into other industries and try my hand at those.