Interview: Ali Henderson
[gallery type="slideshow" link="none" size="full" ids="155044"] What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? Ali: My dad and grandmother are both singers so I had the privilege of immediately being exposed to talent. I started singing in church when I was about 5 years old and I’ve never looked back. Had I not gotten into music I would probably be doing hair. I’ve colored mine and my friends wayyy too much for me not to have been a hairstylist in another life haha. What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity? Ali: I love finding other creative outlets that I feel no pressure to be good at. Like painting is mindless for me, sewing, doing collage…still flexing the creative muscle but no pressure at all. How long has music been your career? Ali: It’s a hard question because I always knew this was what I wanted. Like even as a super young kid I knew I wanted to be an artist and I started pursuing it at a very young age. When I made it on American Idol I do think there was a shift though, like I remember thinking “oh okay, so this is probably actually a career now” haha. Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music? Ali: I am originally from Gaffney, South Carolina so country music is the genre of choice where I am from. I grew up listening to a lot of AC/DC and Queen (because of my dad), but I am thankful to have grown up in a place where country music was so popular. Country songs (in my opinion) are some of the most well written songs out there. Country music tells an entire storyline that could be made into a movie…in 3 minutes. I try to pull that element into my songs from time to time. If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket? Ali: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Paramore and Kesha. What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music? Ali: Collaborate with a group of people you trust…find your tribe. You’ll know them when you find them. You can’t do everything on your own so find the people who are going to champion you. If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be? Ali: Just in general, stop giving a f*ck what other people's opinions are about you. Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? Ali: My most recent release, EMOTIONAL VAMPIRE. It is just so honest. When I listen back to the song I’m like “yeah this is exactly how I felt at the time we wrote it, just frustrated and over it.” I feel like it's one of the most blunt and honest songs I’ve released and I’m just super stoked on it Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most? Ali: “make me miss u” is a super fun one to play live… all of my songs that I can jump around and act insane to honestly.
What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music?
Ali: I usually come into the session with the intention to write for my artist project. I have therapy with my co-writers for 30 minutes and then we start to piece it together. Usually my producer will get everyone started sonically and somewhere after that, magic strikes.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Ali: That it’s okay to have fun and do things you’re going to regret. Sometimes people are toxic, sometimes WE are toxic. Protect your energy, kiss your friends, crash his boys night out. Oh and…. girls are magic.
Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them?
Ali: At least 50 times a session. But at the end of the day, everyone wants what’s best for the song. Everyone that I work with is incredible at leaving their pride at the door, so it’s never a “thing” that we're disagreeing because everyone knows each other's intentions… we're just trying to serve the song.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Ali: I’m going to keep writing songs, releasing music and playing shows…one of which is in Nashville, November 11th @ The East Room & I’m so excited about it…. I’ve already started planning the outfit.
Social Media Links: https://www.flowcode.com/page/itsalihenderson