"This is my first ever east coast tour outside of New York. I met Son Little beforehand; I think we're going to have some fun with it," says an excited ALA.NI as she prepares to head north from Brazil to kick off the U.S portion of her tour with an October 18 show at Asbury Park's Wonder Bar.
A fresh new face on the music scene, this statuesque performer is wowing audiences with her angelic vocals, great arrangements and fabulous stage presence. This British born, Paris raised siren is well aware of the rave reviews she and her music have been getting but tends to keep things in a unique perspective,"I don't try to really think too much about what the critics say either positive or negative," she said with thoughtful tones."I don't try to control it, once my music has left me it's really not mine anymore. I've put it out there and given it away; how people interpret it is up to them. Some will like it, others may not and that's all good because I'll not make music to meet others expectations. My next album is going to be a cappella. I'm not signed to a label for a reason; I don't want someone telling me what to do. Music is quick turnover today, what's a hit today may be gone tomorrow. You've really got to hedge your bets, as an artist you've got to not be afraid and experiment."
Her latest effort is 2016's three song EP titled, "You & I" which comes on the heels of 2015's four EPs of the same name but "Seasonal." "I wrote an album, a 12 song concept album," she laughed as she explained the reasoning behind her output. "As a new artist, I was finding it very hard for me to promote not only myself but the album as well. So I decided to break the full length up into four EPs and then that gave me the opportunity to do something unique for each one. I put together a film for one, photos for another, an exhibition for another and named them after the seasons as I released them. It was a unique approach but what a great experience, it worked out very well."
"You & I" 2016 became a turning point of sorts for ALA.NI as she was venturing into untested waters with the disc. "Well, when I wrote this album it was originally completely a cappella but I didn't have the experience to pull it off. A French radio station took a liking to me and the music and gave me the opportunity to add and present the album with strings behind it and I was quite happy with it. I'd very much like to do it again but with a bigger orchestra."
With a style that ranges from sultry, to torchlight with some R & B thrown in, she captivates her audiences with each performance; performances which are as different as her influences. "I came from a very musical family, my dad mostly. I loved musical theater but my influences, that's a difficult question to answer. My dad was a very big influence. I used to collect R & B records yet I love Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against The Machine and I also love opera with its beautiful arias, I can't really narrow it down to one thing or say I favor one style over another because I grew up with such musical diversity. I guess it's why my music is unique (laughs)."
So the woman with the, "Unique Music" and the unique name will bring it all to the States beginning next Wednesday October 18 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ located on Ocean Avenue. Son Little is also on the bill and offers up a neat compliment to ALA.NI's style. To purchase tickets or discover more about ALA.NI, please go to www.ala.ni.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glen McClelland Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. CJ Steinway
Sun. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenters Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room
19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Shorty Rock
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com
Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Lisa Bonner
Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Red & Reynolds
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dustin Beck
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Joe Robinson Jam (9 p.m.) Faraway Guys
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Carl Gandolf
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Mikey Ragz (4 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Wed. 8 p.m. Pop Fiction
Fran's Pub
116 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-5539
Check Web site for upcoming events
Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Zone
Sat. 8 p.m. JB Rocks
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Living Colour. Ages 21+, Doors at 6 p.m., $35 (Advance)
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Lords Of 52nd Street. Doors at 6 p.m., $55 (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8 p.m.) Christine Martucci. $25 (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam
Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Victor Tarassov
Sat. 1 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sun. 2 p.m. Franklin Jazz Duo
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Papa DLux
Sat. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Room For Mojo
Fri. 9 p.m. Keith Kenny
Sat. (3 p.m.) Mr Chris & The Alley Band (9 p.m.) Dana Gaynor
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jesse Ketchel & Friends (9:30 p.m.) "Benefit For Texas"
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle, Jerry Steele and Hal B. Selzer Trio
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Check web site for upcoming events
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. Laurita Idol Fall Singing Showcase: "Idol Finals"
Sat. "Laurita Harvest Festival" (11 a.m.) Nash East (2 p.m.) Pennington Station (6 p.m.) Audio Pilot
Sun. "Laurita Harvest Festival" (11 a.m.) The Tone Rangers (1:30 p.m.) Shore Syde Band (4:30 p.m.) John, Maggs & Bud Belviso
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out "Fall Centerpiece Making"
Mamma Rosa's
572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McGuinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" w/ DJ Favs. & MC Fredo Ages 21+
Sat. 10 p.m. Stranger Thingz
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 9 p.m. Pissed, School Drugs, The Up Up Ups, Aristocants
Sat. 7 p.m. JT Habersaat and the Altercation Punk Rock Comedy Tour
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sat. 8 p.m. "Kashmir" The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute. Doors at 7 p.m., $30+.
Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Tavern
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. No Way Out
Sat. 9:30 p.m. License To Chill
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Tues. 7:30 p.m. The Manx. All ages, FREE admission
Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Carol Selick
Sat. 8 p.m. Charles Clarke
Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Michaela McClain
1867 Sanctuary
101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Alex Otey Trio. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. Divine Hand Ensemble. $20
Sun. (3 p.m.) "Youth Showcase" feat. Victoria Sadowski. $20 (7:30 p.m.) "Music of Love, Life and Death fo Classical Soprano & Piano" w/ Eric Houghton / Andrea Lapinski. $20
Wed. 7:30 p.m. "Hurricane relief benefit Jazz Concert" feat. Jenny Lee Stern, Jazz With Friends, Charlie Franz, Neal Carson
Tara's Tavern
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Ned Ryerson & The Groundhogs
Sat. 10 p.m. Ted Hammock & The Pickles
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Strictly 60's
Sat. 9 p.m. Speed Limit
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Unleashed
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Deb & Mike
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. The Diablo Sandwich Band
Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Europa
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque In The Oak Room"
Wed. 7 p.m. Bob Egan
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. "Reggae Night" w/ Mystic Bowie. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (Advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Successful Failures
Sat. 9 p.m. Diarmuis MacSuibhne
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Sat. 7 p.m. "Zen That Beat" Yoga w/ Cheryl Young scored to live music
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. (TBA). $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Formula 5. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 9 p.m. Ross Griswold & The Second Line
All shows 21+
Veterans Park
Yardville Hamilton Square Road (East Entrance Gazebo) Hamilton
Sun. 11 a.m. "Oktoberfest" feat. Dick Gratton w/ Linda Lee
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 21+
