Allie X is the next wave of dark pop, what newcomers might be tempted to compare to a sinister version of Hannah Diamond mixed with some early Lady Gaga. Not content to stick to music, Allie X has also started a dialogue around her theories of ‘X’. Most recently she launched her #XHIBIT series – a concept that blurs the lines between producer and consumer. With the #XHIBIT series, Allie X calls for submissions of remixes of her work, using mixed media forms – be it in song, video or GIF form. Honestly, Allie X is the perfect pop star for a girl as obsessed with music and marketing as I am. The conceptual nature of her personal brand coupled with her unique sound are on point. Also, she’s a songwriter predominantly which rates highly for me. With Katy Perry co-signing her and links leading back to dudes like Dr Luke, she’ll soon be in the same league as Gaga, and you can quote me on that.
EAVESDROPPING ON ALLIE X
Who are you?
Allie X.
Where are you from?
LA X Toronto.
What is unique about your local music scene?
We are writing machines.
Describe your sound in three words. Go!
Theatrical electronic dream-pop.
What makes you unique as an artist?
Weirdo brain plus pop sensibility.
Have you heard any new music lately? Got any recommendations?
I recommend a band from Toronto: AUSTRA. They aren’t new but they are very good.
Tell us a little about this release ‘Bitch’.
‘Bitch: Xhibit I’ is the first in a series I will be releasing. It is an collaborative Xperiment between myself and other Xs. In the glossary of ‘X’ that I have created, ‘Xhibit’ means ‘Xart’ – any media that’s created in ‘X’ – is inspired by one central piece. ‘Bitch’ is that central piece. Partakers – Xhibitionists – will post their ‘Xart’ on whatever ‘Bitch’ means to them. It doesn’t have to be anything I’ve said, or anything to do with me, Allie X. It’s the reaction. If they take the free download for ‘Bitch’ and they make their own videos, that’s cool. If they make artwork that’s great. If they make remiXes fantastic. I put them up on my Tumblr and YouTube as an ‘Xhibit.’ It becomes a collective effort.
What inspired the artwork for this track?
We were trying to make a Japanese candy wrapper but it came out looking a little more like Warhol.
What’s the story behind the video?
The director/editor Jungle George and I, decided to make the video on that same day he found an old Japanese camera of his he’d forgotten about. I suggested the 99 cent store. I have always wanted to film a video in a grocery store as I have always found them to be desperate/domestic places. This juxtaposition is an overarching theme in ‘Bitch’, so it made sense.
What else are you working on at the moment?
Another Xhibit and a certain CollXtion of materials.
Do you have any shows coming up?
Perhaps.
More Allie X
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