Meet Alfreda: a rising singer-songwriter from the UK making the soundtrack to the days when you just need to be in your feelings and dance around your room at the same time. Moody and sultry, Alfreda’s voice is imbued with passion, giving listeners hints of Amy Winehouse and Janelle Monae. With two new songs already released this year, Alfreda is off to a commanding start. We were lucky enough to chat with the talented songstress about musical inspirations, her creative process, and what’s up next.
How would you describe your music to someone who has yet to listen?
I think it probably falls under the umbrella of alt-pop. With the release Anyone, someone described it as ‘Chic Pop’ which I liked.
What made you interested in pursuing music professionally?
I started pursuing it when I was in my last year of school, I always wanted to but as the date of leaving school came closer I realised there was nothing else I wanted to do in the real world. It was around then I started playing live shows in London and putting together my first EP. I met a lot of interesting people through it and people responded to the music well so I stuck to it. Since then there’s been a few ups and downs and changes of musical style but I’m confident with what I have now.
Who do you cite as your biggest musical influences and what about their work resonates with you?
I’m influenced by everything I listen to but the artists who have inspired me throughout my life are Radiohead, Madonna, David Bowie, Gorillaz. With Gorillaz, it’s the playfulness and storytelling in their songs and their characters. I’ve enjoyed every Radiohead album because they’re all different, but it seems everything they experiment with just works. And with Madonna or Bowie, I love it all.
What is the songwriting process like for you? What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Most times I’ll catch a melody, record it, and then I have to find the chords to go underneath. Then I’ll go through my notes where I have a page called ‘Titles’, which is where there’s various titles and story ideas for songs, and choose one. Then my producer works with it, and when I hear the sounds he’s used on the track, the story might completely change.
Your latest song is a cover of Hole’s Miss World. What inspired you to choose that song in particular?
I’ve always liked Hole, I relate to Love’s all-consuming feelings of self-criticism. The lyrics, although slightly morbid, I like a lot. It nearly feels like the darker second chapter to my song ‘Girl of Our Dreams’, it reminds me of it in a way. I was excited to play with it sonically to match my own style. This version is rather a glittering sound bite rather than a rock song.
The video for “This Room” is meticulously crafted and artistic. What inspired the concept and what do you hope the video evokes in viewers?
Thank you! I worked on the concept and art direction with my friend and collaborator Roger Spy. We were inspired by Lars von Trier, who has been experimental with the way he uses set. The song is about an unpolished, imperfect love with visible cracks, but I’m still trying to hold it together. I start to accept the problems throughout the song, and in the video, I’m trying to hold it all together. I don’t want to go into too much description though as I like when people interpret things their own way. I just hope it makes viewers feel more powerful in vulnerability.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the industry right now, who would it be and why?
I recently performed and hosted a live music night at Laylow (club in London). And one of the artists I put on, Lynks Afrikka, is wonderful – wildly creative and fun, I think we could make something work one day.
What can we expect to see from Alfreda in 2020?
I’m currently working on an EP, and I’ll be playing a few shows around England. I need to be much better at social media, it’s always been a minefield to me. I just hope to connect with more people. I also have a song coming out around Valentine’s Day which is totally unromantic.
Stay up to date with everything Alfreda:
Website | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
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