IN CONVERSATION
WITH ALLIE X

With COPYPASTE! Allie X discussed  the process behind creating her new album ‘Girl With No Face’, breaking free from the idea of fitting in, the importance of optimism and her experience at Paris Fashion Week. 
Photos by @shalvanikvashvili.
Allie X LIVE: HERE / LISTEN TO ‘GIRL WITH NO FACE’: HERE

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ESSENCE OF YOUR NEW ALBUM ‘GIRL WITH NO FACE?’? 

One review said "pantomime pop" which I love.  It is all at once the most personal and literal thing I've ever done whilst also being the most theatrical and outlandish.

YOU MENTIONED THAT ‘GIRL WITH NO FACE’ IS SELF-PRODUCED AND WRITTEN BY YOU. HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT TO YOU TO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER ALL ELEMENTS OF THE ALBUM?

I wanted to try it at least once in my career.  And because of the pandemic and a number of other circumstances, this became the moment.  It was important to me to ask certain questions of myself and see what the answers were.  As a result of creating this album and handling all aspects of my business as well, I have gotten a lot of answers to those questions. A terrifying and liberating experience.

YOU EVEN SING IN GERMAN IN ‘WEIRD WORLD’. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE IDEA BEHIND IT?

Nothing too deep I just did it for fun.  I studied classical music, and I was best at enunciating German.  It is also very of the time I'm referencing (new wave music) to sing in German.   I like the harshness of the German language. It fit the harshness of my record.

THE ALBUM SOUNDS ANGRIER THAN YOUR PREVIOUS RECORDS AND AS IF YOU ARE BREAKING FREE FROM THE IDEA OF FITTING IN. HOW IMPORTANT WAS THIS ASPPECT FOR THIS ALBUM AND FOR YOU?

It wasn't intentional. It just happened after being in the industry for so long and being screwed over and dehumanized.  It made me not care anymore, and it also made me believe in the value of my perspective and personal style.  There's enough watered down pop to last till the end of time.  I don't need to add to it.

THE ALBUM IS DARK BUT ALSO OPTIMISTIC ESPECIALLY AT THE END WITH TRACKS LIKE ‘STAYING POWER’ AND ‘TRULY DREAMS’. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ELEMENT OF OPTIMISM AND HAVING HOPE, TO THE ALBUM AND TO YOURSELF?

Love that you interpreted Staying Power as optimistic lol.  I think at the end of the day, I am a hopeful person.  I really need hope to keep going.  In any given week I normally have a few down days and a few up days.  I keep going for the up days...I like feeling optimistic.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT PARIS FASHION WEEK AND WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU AND TO EXPRESSING YOUR IDEAS?

Fashion week is fun.  A bit silly.  I enjoy fashion, and with these shows, there is sometimes great care and thoughtfulness in every little detail of the presentation.  The environment, the music, the casting... I respect that.  I think of fashion as a layer of protection, and that has always been important to me.