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“I’VE ONLY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE”
The influence of horror is definitely something that has been key to the sound of Kelli Ali right from the beginning, and her vast career has included collaborations with the likes of Marilyn Manson and Mark Almond. Kelli continues to explain, “I love dark music, gothic music especially and you'll hear that in my next album! It has been inspired by great bands and artists such as Bat for Lashes, Bjork, Cocteau Twins and shows such as The Vampire Diaries and films like Near Dark......... “It's going to be a lot more edgy but still dreamy. Dream Goth; Maybe that's one of the threads within my music, it's always quite dreamy I guess”, she says. “I am in love with the vampiric culture and romance of Gothic music. Sisters of Mercy, Sioxsie & the Banshees, Bauhaus are all the classics. They were the soundtrack to my wasted youth!”, admits Kelli.
Still basking in a dreamy scape, Kelli's 2008 album Rocking Horse floated a different summery folk vibe than previous albums and works since. Gaining a different influence from travelling around Mexico and California, this album warms the cockles of your heart with acoustic beauty. “I had been listening to a lot of Sufjan Stevens, Devendra Banhart and Vashti Bunyan and I had an acoustic guitar at all times, which inspired me to write in a different way”, says Kelli. “I started enjoying the change in my voice, singing in a more delicate and high-head voice, and the folk sound naturally evolved. Rocking Horse had great attention and was very well received. I was so grateful that a lot of people reviewing the album had an open heart. People are becoming more open minded in the way they listen to music and view artists, not so concerned with genre and more aware of the importance of exploration over commercial pigeonholing.......................... “It also helps that I'm completely independent now, so music journalists know I'm not being influenced by a record company to change my sound for commercial reasons..........................
“They understand that I am exploring music in my own way for myself, and my listeners hopefully take each album as its own entity.”
Kelli's Birmingham roots have always brought her back to the second city for inspiration, although she also gains a strong influence from travelling over the world, something that is clearly heard within her records. “I'm a gypsy at heart, but I can appreciate Birmingham more now I'm older.......................
http://www.kelliali.com
“I found it a bit small and confining when I was teen with big dreams, but now I've been to a lot of other places, and found a sense of inner freedom. I am happy when I'm in Birmingham, there's a warmth there and a wicked sense of humour that keeps people smiling. There's also a laid back attitude that I have come to value more and more. And I recognise it in other parts of the world where money's tight, but love is strong and abundant........................ “There's a lot of heart in the Birmingham music scene, and some brilliant venues like the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath................... “From an early age, I was watching bands like Sonic Youth and Mud Honey in venues like The Hummingbird and Edwards. It was like a wonderland for a lonely heart rebel like me...... “Growing up in a musical city like Birmingham was a blessing, I hope it keeps its heritage as it becomes more cosmopolitan. I think bands always enjoy the warmth and energy of a Birmingham crowd”, she says. “At the time I joined Sneaker Pimps, I had already been playing around Birmingham for a few years in dive bars, so it was great to finally be in a band that would grow to be playing to huge audiences all over the world.................... “A dream come true.” And from then on, Kelli's journey into music has evolved more and more. “I have always listened to a vast mix of music and was never into just one sound or image”, says Kelli. “I love synths, guitars, choirs, strings and sitars. So I embrace them all at various times, and this probably means I will have a large panoramic body of work encompassing all the things that I love. I hope so!........... “I feel as though I'm just beginning to truly explore my own sound scape. “I've only scratched the surface.”
By Ross Cotton
Illustration by Matthew Gorman