Alessia Labate – 'we all are stronger than we think and this weird year really showed that'
By Run That Again
About Alessia Labate
We’re so excited to tell you about Alessia Labate, whose string of recent releases has had us wowed. Her sound is edgy, fierce and unapologetic and is definitely one for fans of Alessia Cara, Sasha Loan, Sody, Tove Lo and Ben Kessler. Billboard said Alessia’s single “OMG” was one of their Queer Necessities of May 2020, the artist has amassed millions of streams on Spotify and it’s clear that the artist is moving from strength to strength.
We’re still loving "Something Special", her June release, a chill and intimate pop song about friendship produced by Juno Award Winner Ryan Stewart. We chatted to the Milano-based Alessia Labate to find out more about her music.
Interview
How would you describe your sound?
“My sound is POP, a million shades of it.
I also really enjoy working on EDM music, it gives me a lot of creative freedom, But Pop is definitely my thing.”
Tell us more about the music video and the ideas behind it, what do you hope listeners will feel when they listen to Something Special?
“My best friend and creative director Walter Coppola, aka the guy who inspired the song, had the whole idea of the music video. We wanted it to feel intimate, raw and real.
The ideas came during the lockdown while we were both further and closer than ever: we couldn't see each other in real life but we were always on the phone keeping each other company, The video shooting happened after the lockdown, and it was so intense. I couldn't believe we could actually do that, spending time together and working.”
Tell us more about Something Special and the story behind it?
“I wrote the song over a year ago during a video-session with Ryan Stewart. I was in my home studio in Milano and just before the session I wrote the hook. We quickly wrapped it up and he made a beautiful demo, not really far from this version of the song. While writing it I had my best friend Walter in mind. Everything I say is 100% true. He's outgoing and always pulls me out of my shyness.”
Favourite thing to do to relax when you're not making music?
“Cooking, reading some (I need to read more LOL) and since I found out I have low Vitamin D, long walks in the sun will be my new thing to do when I'm not working <3”
Who are your biggest inspirations musically and who would be your dream collaboration?
“I have many inspirations. From Michael Jackson to Ashnikko. The artist that really changed my point of view on music and what I wanna do is Tove Lo. I found her during a dark time in my life, where I desperately was looking for someone to sound the way I wanted to and she gave me the answer to all my questions. I feel she's a really good writer and she's so unapologetically herself. She's a big inspiration for me.”
What's your musical goal for 2020 and what are you most proud of so far?
“2020 has been a tough year for everyone and I have achieved way more than expected: over 10 songs written by me came out, I released my new singles, and I connected with so many people. We all are stronger, clever and more resilient than we think and this weird year really showed that. But I feel it can give so much more.
For sure one thing I really wanna work on is my vocal health: I recently experienced a few vocal issues due to too much singing and bad vocal technique, and it's something I definitely have to fix.
I'm also working on something super cool for my upcoming singles, the team is growing follow me on IG to have spoilersss.”
Favourite track you're listening to right now?
“I'm listening to Ashnikko a Lot. Hi it's me it's my favourite <3”
How did you get into music? What's your songwriting process like?
“I was born and raised in a musical family, so it just came naturally. My approach to songwriting changes every time.”