Alisa Xayalith
Alisa Xayalith | |
---|---|
Xayalith performing with the Naked and Famous in 2016 | |
Background information | |
Born | New Zealand[1] | 24 August 1986
Origin | Auckland, New Zealand[2][1] |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instruments |
|
Years active | 2007–present[2] |
Labels | Somewhat Damaged[9] |
Member of | The Naked and Famous |
Alisa Xayalith (born 24 August 1986) is a New Zealand musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and keyboard player[1] for the indie electronic[3] band the Naked and Famous.[10]
Early life
[edit]Xayalith, the daughter of Laotian refugees, was born in New Zealand and grew up in South Auckland. She has one sister and three brothers.[11][12][13] Shortly after Xayalith's seventh birthday, her mother died[11] from breast cancer.[14][15][16][2] Her father was a vocalist in a local Laotian ensemble.[16]
The Naked and Famous
[edit]In 2006, Xayalith met Thom Powers and Aaron Short at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand.[17][9] They formed the band the Naked and Famous, and Powers and Xayalith began dating.[18] In 2012, the quintet moved to Los Angeles, California.[19] In 2014, Powers and Xayalith ended their romantic relationship but remained part of the band.[18]
The Naked and Famous parted ways with Short and Jesse Wood in 2018,[20] followed by their split with Luna Shadows and David Beadle some time prior to March 2020.[21] As of December 2021, the ensemble continues to perform as a duo composed of Powers and Xayalith.[10]
Solo career
[edit]In December 2021, Xayalith published a song entitled "High Fidelity", the first tune from her upcoming EP, Superpowers, which was released in 2022. The track was produced[10] by Tyler Spry[failed verification] and Simon Oscroft,[10] with a music video directed by Jason Lester.[22]
Critical reception
[edit]Alex Gallagher of NME Networks described "High Fidelity" as "a lush, spacious pop cut that foregrounds the singer's syrupy vocals with shimmering synths and a soaring, effervescent chorus".[10] Referencing the song, Dan Shaw of We Are Happy Media stated that "With shimmering retro synths and powerhouse vocals front and centre, it blooms with romantic colours", going on to say that the "accompanying video mirrors the lyrical reveries of Xayalith, making a star of the Californian landscape".[23]
Discography
[edit]EPs
[edit]Singles
[edit]As featured artist
[edit]- "Psychadelic Girl" by Kidz in Space, from Episode 001: Chasing Hayley (2009)[27]
- "Tucan" by Kids of 88, from Modern Love (2012)[28][29]
- "Forget" by The Chain Gang of 1974, from Felt (2017)[30]
- "Move" by Peking Duk (2020)[31]
- "Half Light" by Attlas, from Lavender God (2020)[32]
As songwriter
[edit]- "Half Naked & Almost Famous" by Machine Gun Kelly, from Rage Pack (2011)[33] as well as Lace Up/Half Naked & Almost Famous (2012)[34]
- "Little Deaths" by Sir Sly, from The Rise & Fall of Loverboy (2021)[35]
Other credits
[edit]- Various background vocals, Human by OneRepublic (2021)[36]
- Co-writer, "Bloodredroses" by Soojin (2023)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "How The Naked and Famous Will Make It in America". Buzzfeed.com. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Xayalith, Alisa (10 February 2021). "Line 6 Artists". Line6.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b Collar, Matt. "The Naked and Famous | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ Brody, Caitlin (27 August 2013). "Exclusive: The Naked and Famous' New Song, "A Stillness." Listen In!". Glamour. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ Geslani, Michelle (7 July 2016). "The Naked and Famous announce new album, Simple Forms, premiere "Higher" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ Libman, K.C. (20 August 2014). "The Naked and Famous Keep the Pressure on Themselves". OC Weekly. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous". Radio New Zealand. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (5 November 2015). "Review: We've Awaited Kate Boy's Debut 'One' Since the Midnight Sun". Spin. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Feature - The Naked And Famous: Gone Where the Weather's Always Good". NZ Musician. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Naked and Famous' Alisa Xayalith shares debut solo single 'High Fidelity'". NME. 8 December 2021.
- ^ a b "The Naked and Famous' Alisa Xayalith on Growing Up As a Refugee". Clash Magazine. 14 February 2017.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous". The Brag. 9 September 2013.
- ^ Schneider, Meredith. "Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous Talks Inspiration, Simple Forms, and Burritos". Impose Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "How a 'Tumultuous Period' for The Naked & Famous Resulted in a 'Return to Form'". SGC Media.
- ^ "Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous on Stage Fright and Breaking Through". Character Media. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b Schneider, Meredith. "Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous Talks Inspiration, Simple Forms, and Burritos". Impose Magazine. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ Shute, Gareth (24 April 2020). "The Naked and Famous – Person". AudioCulture. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b Geslani, Michelle (7 July 2016). "The Naked and Famous announce new album, Simple Forms, premiere "Higher" – listen". Consequence. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Naked and Famous: Five go mad in LA". New Zealand Herald. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ Maher, Natalie (8 March 2018). "The Naked and Famous Reveal Departure of Two Members, Drop Nostalgia-Filled Video F for Stripped Version of 'Young Blood'". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ Leeson, Josh (11 March 2020). "The Naked and Famous duo move into the recovery phase". Newcastle Herald.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous' Alisa Xayalith drops debut solo single "High Fidelity"". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Alisa Xayalith's 'High Fidelity' is a sun-soaked daydream". Happy Mag. 8 December 2021.
- ^ "New Music: Alisa Xayalith – I'll Be There | AnalogueTrash". 11 September 2022.
- ^ Krueger, Jonah (9 September 2022). "The Naked and Famous' Alisa Xayalith shares the Origins of new solo single "I'll Be There": Exclusive".
- ^ "Alisa Xayalith – I'll Be There (Official Music Video)" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Episode 001: Chasing Hayley – EP by Kidz in Space". Apple Music. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Kidsof88 Tickets | 2021–22 Tour & Concert Dates". Ticketmaster NZ. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew. "Happy New Zealand Day! 10 NZ Artists Who Could Make a Lorde-Like Leap". Billboard. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Felt by The Chain Gang of 1974". Apple Music. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Move – Single by Peking Duk". Apple Music Australia. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ "ATTLAS grows both roots and wings in debut LP, 'Lavender God' [Review]". Dancing Astronaut. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly – Rage Pack (Hosted By DJ Xplosive & DJ EV)". Hotnewhiphop.com. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Half Naked & Almost Famous – Machine Gun Kelly". AllMusic. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Alisa Xayalith Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Human – OneRepublic | Credits". AllMusic. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- 1986 births
- 21st-century multi-instrumentalists
- 21st-century New Zealand women singers
- 21st-century pianists
- New Zealand women pianists
- New Zealand women guitarists
- 21st-century women guitarists
- Living people
- New Zealand keyboardists
- New Zealand people of Laotian descent
- New Zealand rock guitarists
- New Zealand women in electronic music
- New Zealand women pop singers
- Pop guitarists
- Pop keyboardists
- Rock keyboardists
- Women keyboardists
- 21st-century women pianists