Interview:Ali Whitton

For listeners who might be new to your music, who is Ali? How would you describe your sound and your vibe as an artist?
‍I’ve always said I’m a songwriter more than a singer haha! I’d say the vibe is lyrical indie folk, emotive soundscapes with vulnerable storytelling.

You’ve lived in rural North Yorkshire, London, Paris, and now Wellington. How have those places shaped your sound and your songwriting?
‍I grew up in rural North Yorkshire so landscapes of fields and hedgerows, and moors of heather. I’d watch the weather come and go; snowfall, mists, and the seasons. I started off just writing what I was looking at and soon those landscapes and moods became metaphors for me figuring stuff out. London was a hustle exciting and inspiring, and Paris the same. Now on the South Coast of Wellington I am finding my roots again.

Who were some of your music idols growing up and have they had much influence in your music now?
‍Bright Eyes was a massive influence as I really got into songwriting through writing words. And then when I started singing, it was Damien Rice’s ‘O’ album that showed me I could kinda almost talk through the lyrics and I loved the rawness of that. I’m a massive fan of folk, country, and alt-country so Bob Dylan, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Wilco, Iron and Wine, Tallest Man on Earth, are all in my record collection.

Your new single Hopeful Heart is out now, what can you tell us about this record. What was some of the inspiration behind it and what are you hoping audiences take away from it?
‍It’s the most ‘country’ song on the new album and it’s a bit of a lament on the tension between optimism of hope and the older more frustrated and jaded part of ourselves that’s been knocked back a few too many times. It’s like a negative internal monologue that’s figuring out that hope is important.

You wrote Hopeful Heart during a challenge of writing a song a week for a year. What did that process teach you about yourself as a songwriter?
‍That you shouldn’t wait for inspiration! It’s like going to the gym creatively… sometimes on a day you don’t feel like writing, if you just ‘turn up’ you get a great song. And all the time you’re strengthening your creative muscles.

Your debut album Between The Forest And The Stars is due mid-year, what can you tell us about it.
‍It’s ten songs written over a period of healing but also finding a new love, and a bit of a time where I was recalibrating who I am and what matters to me. ‘The forest’ talks about the place we come from and what grounds us and the stars reference the things we strive for in life.

At what point did you realise songwriting was something you had to pursue, not just something you enjoyed?
‍When I had a burnout and started recovering from it. I basically tried so hard to be a musician and juggled tours with day jobs and lots of self-imposed pressure, that when I simply had to stop, I could stop most of the things, but I found I needed songwriting as a form of creative expression.

Is there anything else you can share with us?
‍Just gratitude and a thank you for taking the time to listen to an old guy ramble about love and life, and a big thank you to anyone who ends up curious enough to check out the songs! I hope you enjoy them!

What burger do you think ‘Hopeful Heart’ would be if it were on the BF menu and why?
‍I think the ‘Ford freakout’ cos’ in a way, this song is a travelling song, and I’d love to me honing down the highway in a classic car with a burger in my hand heading onto the next dusty motel.

What would your ideal BF burger contain?
‍A magic sauce that makes us all a little more understanding of each other in this crazy world!

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Sound Check, Vibe Check

What is your go to song to Jam out to in the car? September – Earth, Wind, and Fire

Who is your favourite artist at the moment? Damien Jurado

One thing you can’t perform without? Clothes.

One artist or band you would love to co-lab with? Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (Will Oldham)

Go to BurgerFuel order? American Muscle Double.

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Fire or Backfire?

Pickles in burgers - Fire.

Crocs - Backfire.

Karaoke - Fire

BurgerFuel Aioli - Fire

Acoustic performances - Fire

NZ Music Month - Fire‍

Festivals - Fire

Singing in the shower - Fire

Pineapple on pizza - Fire

Supermarket in bare feet - Fire

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Check out Ali's new music HERE and stay up to date with what he gets up to HERE.