Q&A with Australia’s Fastest Rising Musician and Producer ALISON WONDERLAND

ALISON WONDERLAND, one of Australia’s fastest rising young musicians/producers just released her anticipated debut album RUN via Astralwerks. The full-length LP is available for purchase on iTunes and features hits “U Don’t Know,” “I Want U,” and “Run.” Album title and lead track “Run” stands out with its searing, razor-sharp synths and thundering bass while the clattering, drum-clap infused “U Don’t Know” features ghostly call-and-response echoes from The Flaming Lips far-out front man Wayne Coyne. The official video for “U Don’t Know” below presents an interesting plot twist with a cameo from actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

The twelve-track LP properly introduces us to Wonderland’s distinct production techniques—a signature sound that has cemented her steady ascent into the mainstream. Run showcases a robust rolodex of guest collaborators from both sides of the equator including Djemba Djemba, known for his work with Diplo’s MAD DECENT label and the cutting edge up and coming producers from around the world AWE, Lido, and Ganz. New York rapper Johnny Nelson, SAFIA’s Ben Woolner, Alexander Burnett, BRAVE. Run is the follow-up to Wonderland’s acclaimed 2014 debut EP Calm Down, which features #1 Hypemachine track “I Want U”—that SPIN declares a “chemically trappy anthem that crackles with self-awareness.”

Wonderland also recently made her U.S. debut at Coachella, where she introduced her fierce live show, reminiscent of her famous Australian warehouse parties. Following Coachella, Alison has been on a stint of live dates across North America to markets including New York, Chicago, Miami, Seattle and Toronto. Additionally, Wonderland just played Lollapalooza, Mad Decent Boat Party, Firefly Music Festival, and Electric Forest.

Running the gamut from electronica, future beats, trap, and dancehall to classical and pop music, not only did she co-produce but Wonderland sings on almost every track of Run.

Alison Wonderland brings an extensive musical background to her next-level productions and sets. The prodigious talent began her career as principal cellist in the Sydney Youth Orchestra and played bass in an indie rock band as a teen before discovering electronic music and teaching herself the art of production and DJing. Her tough, streetwise, of-the-moment sound has caught the ear of both young music fans and uber-tastemakers like Annie Mac and Diplo, who featured her DJ set on his BBC Radio 1 show. The Sydney-based artist has built a devoted following across her homeland; selling more than 10,000 tickets of her innovative Australian warehouse tour, dubbed the “Wonderland Warehouse Project,” as well as releasing cutting edge videos, and winning fans with her original productions and masterful skills behind the decks.

All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa recently got to catch up with the incredibly busy artist between gigs. Read more in Nicole’s interview with Alison below!

 Hey there Alison! How are you today? You’ve been just a wee bit busy on the summer festival circuit with Coachella, Lollapalooza, Splendour In The Grass and just recently Mad Decent Block Party. What’s been your highlight so far?

I heard Rae Sremmurd recently jumped on stage during one of your sets!

Haha.. that was cray! I was at the Mad Decent after party playing a set and played a Rae Sremmurd track and all of a sudden they jumped on stage while I was playing it and it was even more of a surprise for me because I didn’t even know they were there!

The highlight for me, out of all those festivals would definitely have to be Coachella. It was the first ever show I had in America so it was very special to me. My parents and sister ever flew out for it. It was a really insane and surreal feeling as soon as I got up on stage and saw such a positive response.

For those that are not as familiar with you and your music, how did you get your start in music? Who or what as the catalyst or inspiration for you?

I started djing the closing spot at a small night in Sydney and slowly worked my way up, in terms of production I started in my bedroom with very minimal equipment so I had to think outside the square. It taught me a lot.

When did you adopt the moniker, Alison Wonderland? How did the name come about?

I was going through a few name orphanages, when I saw Alison Wonderland and decided to adopt it.

You released your debut album RUN in March. What did you learn between your previous EP and playing live shows that you felt you wanted to infuse into this RUN?

Mmmm I don’t think it was the shows that helped me progress onto writing a whole album. I think that the risks I took when creating my EP gave me the confidence as an artist to stay being honest and push myself more musically.

I could have written an album full of club jams, which would have been the obvious option but instead, I decided to be really honest with myself as a writer and create music about what was going on in my life at the time and I’m really glad I did. It came from a super honest place so it has a lot of meaning for me.

Tell me a bit about your recent single, “U Don’t Know” featuring The Flaming Lips, Wayne Coyne. What was the inspiration for that track and what was it like working with Wayne?

I wrote this song about my observations and interactions with people in LA. It was the first time I had experienced the city for more than just a week. I was there for a few months and I just found the spirit of the city and the people around me to be really eye opening.

It was cool working with Wayne. I like the fact that he is such a well established artist but will still give young up and comers the time of day if he likes the music. That’s really cool.

Who are your musical influences?

The Knife, LCD Soundsystem and The Beatles

Do you remember the first album you bought yourself?

Haha yep.. it was Smash by Offspring

What was the first song you fell in love with and why?

I don’t actually remember this happening but my mother told me that when I was two years old, ‘Let It Be’ by The Beatles was playing in the car and I started crying and when she asked what is wrong I told her that the ‘music was speaking to me’ so I guess that was the first song I fell in love with.

Who is in your current playlist?

Stephen Fry narrating Harry Potter.

What’s on tap next for you? What are you most excited about in 2015?

I am really excited to release music in the UK and Europe, I’ve never really explored that part of the world as an artist so I am super nervous/excited to see how everything is received over there.

To learn more about ALISON WONDERLAND including upcoming tour dates, visit her HERE .