The Art of Chance and Musical Identity
ALIA’s latest album, Where the Echoes Bloom, is a testament to the power of serendipity. For the Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and dancer, the record represents a culmination of diverse influences and unexpected discoveries. Her path to professional musicianship was not linear; despite a childhood spent playing violin and cello, she initially gravitated toward dance as her primary mode of expression. It wasn’t until her late 30s that she fully embraced her musical identity, shedding the conditioning that suggested it was too late to pivot.
The sonic landscape of Where the Echoes Bloom is defined by two distinct instruments: the kacapi, a 20-stringed zither from West Java, and the theremin. ALIA’s introduction to the kacapi came during trips to Indonesia with her father, a world music educator. Her fascination with the theremin, however, was sparked by a documentary and solidified after seeing a live performance by Armen Ra. These instruments, while disparate in origin and technique, anchor her work in a unique, ethereal space.
Bridging Traditions and Modern Soundscapes
ALIA’s creative process is deeply informed by her background in Egyptian-style belly dance, which has refined her understanding of rhythm and performance. She describes her music as an extension of this movement, aiming to create live shows that are as visually compelling as they are sonically rich. On tracks like “Soul of my Soul” and “Crescent Sun,” she blends traditional melodic styles with modern production techniques, including the use of delay, reverb, and samples of her father’s percussion work.
The album also draws heavily from the atmosphere of mid-century Exotica, though ALIA is quick to distance her work from the genre’s problematic colonial tropes. Instead, she channels the spirit of “illbient” and trip-hop, creating a sound that feels both ancient and futuristic. By incorporating field recordings and unconventional instrumentation, she crafts a record that defies stylistic orthodoxy.
Navigating Artistry and Global Realities
The creation of Where the Echoes Bloom was deeply impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. ALIA notes that the process was emotionally taxing, yet she felt a responsibility to reflect the gravity of the world in her work. The opening track, “Soul of my Soul,” serves as a tribute to the victims of the genocide, specifically referencing the heartbreaking story of Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter, Reem. For ALIA, the music is a way to maintain connection and principle in an increasingly fractured world.
Beyond her solo work, ALIA’s journey has taken unexpected turns, including a stint touring with Melanie Martinez. Despite the spectacle of stadium shows and the intensity of a global pop tour, ALIA remains focused on her own evolution. She is already looking toward future projects, with plans to explore more percussion-heavy, Arabic-focused compositions. As she continues to refine her craft, her commitment to following her own intuition—rather than trying to follow the paths of others—remains the core of her artistic philosophy.