audalei is an indie-pop musical artist with a love of dark, moody, underwater sounds, and simple lo-fi instrumentation.
She combines the wholesome with the evocative and creates unique music that will induce shivers, teary eyes, and head bobbing all at the same time. She is currently living in Los Angeles where she collaborated with Dalton Ricks on her latest single ‘meringue pie’. She previously released her track ‘serotonin’ which was generously placed on a multitude of Spotify playlists.
What first got you into music?
I grew up in an extremely musical family. I played violin, and piano as a kid and then as a teen my family got a drum kit, guitars, and a bass. My brothers and I decked out our basement as a jam space. I think like most singers, I fell in love with singing as a kid but it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I had the courage to sing in front of others. I began singing covers in my brother’s bands and on stage in musicals. Over the pandemic, I got a pretty severe head injury and ended up writing songs to cope. I found so much purpose and relief when I was writing that I knew I had to pursue that feeling.
Who inspired you to make music?
I was super inspired by singers like Feist, Ingrid Michaelson, Daughter, and Lorde. I also loved the way someone like Girl in Red would make incredible music in her own bedroom. The idea of writing and recording myself became something attainable in my mind instead of this far away privilege reserved for artists signed to a label.
How would you describe the music that you typically make?
I like the lofi cassette tape sound and simplicity. I love gentle instrumentation but I also love the idea of contrast in a single song. If I’ve got something sweet and cute sounding, I want to juxtapose it with something dark and dreamy. If I’ve got something that is simple, I want to add layers and chaos as the song continues. I am putting out some more upbeat, “scream in your car” type music soon but it will still have my sound. Just me with more caffeine in my system.
How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?
The internet and social media apps have made making music and promoting yourself so much more accessible. If you’ve got a great song, the algorithm can bring you to your audience. It’s great for anyone who doesn’t have a label and wants to put themselves out there or even someone who’s signed but trying to test the waters with a demo. I also got connected to my current team and many collaborators through the internet so I’m super grateful for that. Social media has ended up being an extension of an artist’s brand. When I fall in love with a song, I get excited to check out the artist on Instagram or TikTok. My love for an artist doubles if I enjoy their online presence too! It’s fun to be privy to what they share of their life behind the scenes and I hope my online presence makes people feel like they are a part of my process too.
Have you got a ritual of sorts when writing and thinking about your music?
I sit and meditate and write each morning with a coffee. How annoying is that, haha? I find daily writing so cathartic. It’s my time to unload all my thoughts on the page. It will start with a stream of consciousness writing and sometimes evolve into verses, then a chorus, pre chorus, bridge, etc. I often write the whole song in one sitting but at times a new chorus idea comes to me while I’m recording and I’m not precious about keeping the exact lyrics that I started with.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
My life inspires me, mostly. I may change small details for my own privacy but I find when I write music that’s authentic to me and my life it comes across as more genuine. I listen to lots of indie pop, lofi and bedroom pop and those sounds have definitely molded my own music into what it is today.
Has your musical journey had a deliberate direction or did it simply gradually evolve in whatever direction it found?
I’ve deliberately set the intention to make the younger version of myself proud with the music I put out. I have other goals as well and I believe in deliberately going for what I want, but if some of my plans turn out differently from what I anticipated or envisioned, that’s totally fine. If I was in charge of timelines, everything would have happened yesterday, but usually, the timing works out better than I could’ve imagined. It’s been cool seeing my fanbase grow and I know if I keep putting one foot in front of the other it will continue. If everything on my musical path unfolded predictably that would be pretty boring so I set goals but try to be open to however it comes.
If we were to look at the artists you are listening to, who would be on your playlist?
At the moment I’m listening to lots of Claire Rosinkranz, ella jane, Forrest Nolan, j solomon, marinelli, Delaney Bailey, dee holt, Clairo, spill tab, Devon Again and a band from my hometown Vox Rea who are super talented. I also am a very dedicated listener to the Spotify playlist “Indie Pop and Chill”.