Mina Alali is a girl on a mission. She’s only 19 but “Something About Her” is her 4th release in the last 12 months. With appearances on network television and an upcoming summer tour, some would say her dance card is full. Mina says let the music play. In her own words Mina Alali shares with Hot Indie News readers a little something about her..:
HIN: We take pride at Hot Indie News for being one of the publications that discovered and wrote about your release from last year, “22 Cents Less”. A lot has happen for you in a relatively short period of time. Care to share what’s been going on with our readers?
Mina Alali: After the release of my song and music video, “22 Cents Less”,
I signed with an indie record label based in Sacramento, California called Kick-a-Beat Records and I have been working with them ever since to prepare for the release of my album, “Something About Her,” coming out April 21st! I am also spending the semester studying abroad at Berklee College of Music’s campus in Valencia, Spain. So I have been juggling school and my own music career. It’s a lot, but both are fun so I’m happy.
HIN: You received quite a bit of attention over the last few months for your music. Now you’re back again with “Something About Her”, a new album that sounds like you’re going into some new sonic directions. Are we right?
Mina Alali: Yes, “Something About Her” is an album that my team and I have been working on for the past year and a half. It started with one song, “Inside Out,” and my co-writer approached me asking me if she could write a whole album for me. Of course I said yes, and we have worked together to get this album as pop and fun as possible. I feel like this is milestones different from my first album, Unique, which was fully created (produced, recorded, sung) by me. I’ve loved the producing aspect of things for years now, but I wouldn’t call myself a professional. It has been awesome to team up with more experienced people who really know their way around the studio.
HIN: Over the winter holidays last year you put out a Christmas single called “What I Want”. What was the motivation, or inspiration, that led you to decide to do this?
Mina Alali: I released a socially-aware Christmas song, “What I Want” during the holidays last year, because I love the holidays, the feeling of warmth and togetherness, and I felt like the world during that time could have used a little musical hug. I am a strong believer that music heals, and that the perfect combination of a melody, lyrics, and a couple sweet sounding instruments can really change someone’s mood. Combining the bubblegum pop, Mariah Carey Christmas vibes with lyrics of kindness, compassion, and unity was just the recipe for that.
HIN: Are you involved with any charities or causes, and if so, how do you use your talent to lend support?
Mina Alali: I grew up with really kind parents pursing humanitarian careers (my mom is a social worker and my dad is an oncologist), and I think my parents gave me that global, compassionate perspective that inspired me to use my creativity in a way that will benefit others. I have been vegan for a year and a half, and I love inspiring others to live similarly as it can change someone’s health, and significantly impact both the environment and animals in positive ways. In pursuing music, I try to incorporate important issues and relatable lyrics into my songs – I want to be as real of an artist and person as possible, and I want for anyone to be able to enjoy my songs – a wide demographic is my goal.
HIN: We know you’ve been traveling a lot recently. Where have you been and what have you been getting up to?
Mina Alali: I have been in Valencia, Spain since January, and I’ll be here until the beginning of May, but I’ve definitely been doing my traveling even while abroad. I went to visit my old friends in Clermont Ferrand, France (I studied abroad there during my junior year of high school), I went to London for the first time (SUCH a cute place), and I went to Baltimore for just two days to audition for The Voice, and shoot some music videos. I will also be going to Boston, Ohio, and Virginia soon to do some appearances, again preparing for the release of “Something About Her”! All is very exciting.
HIN: Do you rely on inspiration when it comes to your music or do you have some other source you draw upon for your creative process?
Mina Alali: My musical ideas, the start of a song, almost always stem from just one line or phrase that is directly related to something on my mind. My inspiration for my songs is my experiences and feelings during any given moment. I have had some people tell me that I need to write songs faster, and to not let my personal life hinder me from popping out songs every 5 minutes, but I prefer to write one great song every 2 months that describes exactly how I feel during that time, than write 5 impersonal songs every day. They need to be from the heart. My key artist inspirations are almost always women – India Arie, Imogen Heap, and Kehlani is a new favorite.
HIN: Stephen King wrote a book titled “11/23/62” that was recently turned into a popular TV mini-series. It explores time travel and what could happen when someone goes back in the past and then changes a major historical event. In the story the plot centers around someone who manages to prevent President Kennedy’s assassination. If you could go back in time where and when would you return to and what would you do?
Mina Alali: These questions always get me because I have so many possible answers. Right now, I’m going to say if I could go back and change something it would be during the time of dinosaurs so I could be the only human being on planet earth – I’d just chill with and make friends with dinosaurs.
HIN: If you could choose, which artist or band would you most like to open for?
Mina Alali: I would LOVE to open for the Common Kings – they are a pop, reggae band with really chill Hawaiian vibes. They’re not only my favorite band but my first concert experience. They’ll always hold a special place in my heart. They’re kind of up and coming themselves – they opened for Meghan Trainor recently so to be able to open for them would be a real dream come true.
HIN: Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with musically?
Mina Alali: I would love to collaborate musically with again, The Common Kings, Jon Bellion, or any of my women inspirations – India Arie, Ariana Grande, or Kehlani. These are kind of just all my favorites at the moment.
HIN: You attend the Berklee College of Music. Could you share with us what it’s like there and what you’re studying?
Mina Alali: Yes, I am studying at Berklee College of Music, majoring in Music Business/Management. I am in my second year right now and I can honestly say this is the perfect school for me. I love the creativity, the diversity, the passion and one things that binds all the students together: a love for music. I was honestly intimidated when I first came here because of the amount of talent, but you learn that everyone is on their own path, everyone is pursuing and interested in different things, and at the end of the day, we support each other because we are all up and coming musicians. It’s overall a really great community and inclusive, positive school.
HIN: How would you best describe your sound?
Mina Alali: My sound is very modern, pop, fun, with an indie, soulful vibe. Vocal tone is very important for me, because anyone can have a great singing voice, but it’s those artists with that sort of uniqueness to their voice, the smallest twang that makes it memorable. I also strive to make my music fit for any demographic, so it’s quite easy-listening and smooth.
HIN: You make some pretty cool music videos. Give us some background and behind the scenes insights.
Mina Alali: I’ve done a couple music videos for some of the singles off this album – “No Lovin’ Me” is in the lead right now on YouTube with over 100,000 views!
The themes for the music videos range from very literal, like “No Lovin’ Me”, to a little more metaphorical, like “22 Cents Less”, and then your simple recording-in-the-studio vibe, like “What I Want”. I think audio-visual works to make the songs that much more memorable and fun and I’m always super excited to do music videos. I’m kind of a workaholic, and big projects like music videos excite me. We’re still doing a couple more for more songs off the album. Can’t wait for everyone to see…
HIN: How does it feel to see yourself and your music on all those radio charts & how did you do to get there?
Mina Alali: Seeing my music charting on radio charts nationally is the coolest thing ever. It’s really humbling to know people are receiving my music well, because although music is my passion and I do it for me, I wouldn’t actually be anywhere if people didn’t listen. I also recognize that there is so much talent in the world, and so many people with incredible voices and musicianship, and standing out amongst a crowd in the industry today is quite difficult. I’m just really grateful to be where I am today.
HIN: What question have you never been asked in an interview but you wish someone would ask you?
Mina Alali: I have never been asked what my top 5 favorite fruits are in an interview. Anyone who knows me knows I am low-key obsessed with fruit, so to open up to you all on a really deep level, I will proudly mention my top five favorite fruits are: concord grapes (a must try, unlike any other grape), watermelon, passion fruit, bananas, and mangoes!
HIN: What’s the best thing that’s happened for your career this year and what’s up next for Mina Alali?
Mina Alali: The best thing to happen in my career this year was probably the giant billboard plastered in NYC Times Square promoting “22 Cents Less”. My sister, best friend, cousin and I were all in the car heading to do some Christmas shopping when I opened a text message of a picture of my face on a Jumbotron where I had seen Adele’s face just three years prior during a NYC trip I took with my family. We all freaked out!
HIN: What would fans be surprised to know about you and how can Hot Indie News readers best find you and your music?
Mina Alali: I think people would be surprised to know I broke two wrists in a snowboarding accident the day after Valentine’s Day about 2 years ago, and I had to audition for Berklee College of Music with two giant casts singing Adele’s “Someone Like You.” It was quite the experience.
