Interview with Ali In The Jungle (UK)
By Mick Michaels
The Cosmick View: Hello, Chris
and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten
Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!
CA: Thanks for having me!
CV: Describe your definition of Ali In The Jungle’s sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
CA: I like to say “innovative indie, with a sprinkling of basically every other genre.” Basically, we incorporate such a diverse range of genres into our music, as well as tempo changes, many different sections, and differing playing styles that I think it’s too difficult to nail it down with one or two words! ‘Indie’ is the dominant style which is tying our music together, I think, but our songs include elements of jazz, blues, classic rock, classical music (yes, really), pop, punk rock, funk, and more.
Style-wise, the carpet matches the drapes! We’re 4 very different people, and we dress and perform onstage very differently. I personally think that gives an audience 4 times as many things to watch when we play live.
CA: Thanks for having me!
CV: Describe your definition of Ali In The Jungle’s sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
CA: I like to say “innovative indie, with a sprinkling of basically every other genre.” Basically, we incorporate such a diverse range of genres into our music, as well as tempo changes, many different sections, and differing playing styles that I think it’s too difficult to nail it down with one or two words! ‘Indie’ is the dominant style which is tying our music together, I think, but our songs include elements of jazz, blues, classic rock, classical music (yes, really), pop, punk rock, funk, and more.
Style-wise, the carpet matches the drapes! We’re 4 very different people, and we dress and perform onstage very differently. I personally think that gives an audience 4 times as many things to watch when we play live.
CV: Today, everyone talks about artist
and audience connection. Is such a level of connection actually achievable for
an artist and if so, how have you made the connection to your fans?
CA: Of course it is! I usually prefer cable ties, because they’re pretty solid, so those fans won’t get loose in a hurry.
[serious answer:] That level of connection is still there as much as it ever was…maybe even more so. Audiences might not be buying physical copies of our music like vinyl or CDs, but through our social media, they have access to BTS footage, extra live content, and more insights into our creative processes for the music and videos we make. Plus audiences can still come to gigs [post-COVID-19]! Chatting with the audience onstage, offstage and online are the best ways to connect with fans, and we love doing it.
CA: Of course it is! I usually prefer cable ties, because they’re pretty solid, so those fans won’t get loose in a hurry.
[serious answer:] That level of connection is still there as much as it ever was…maybe even more so. Audiences might not be buying physical copies of our music like vinyl or CDs, but through our social media, they have access to BTS footage, extra live content, and more insights into our creative processes for the music and videos we make. Plus audiences can still come to gigs [post-COVID-19]! Chatting with the audience onstage, offstage and online are the best ways to connect with fans, and we love doing it.
CV: Is fan interaction an important part
of AITJ’s inner culture?
CA: It’s what keeps us going. Fans’ responses aren’t something we ever plan for in our music or what we release on social media, but I think that’s a good thing. You shouldn’t let the audience dictate the content too much because it’s hard enough making decisions between the 4 of us sometimes! But hearing from fans is what makes the band feel real and significant…knowing that your music means something to other people.
CA: It’s what keeps us going. Fans’ responses aren’t something we ever plan for in our music or what we release on social media, but I think that’s a good thing. You shouldn’t let the audience dictate the content too much because it’s hard enough making decisions between the 4 of us sometimes! But hearing from fans is what makes the band feel real and significant…knowing that your music means something to other people.
CV: Can a band truly interact with its
fans and still maintain a level of personal privacy without crossing the line
and giving up their “personal space” in your opinion?
CA: I think the fans are never the ones who would invade your privacy or personal space…unless they’ve had a few, and aren’t social distancing properly! When a band becomes really big, it’s the media who start to camp out on their doorstep and stir up controversies. As a band, we can decide what we record, what we photograph or film, and what we release; we’ve never experienced fans invading our privacy. Yet!
CA: I think the fans are never the ones who would invade your privacy or personal space…unless they’ve had a few, and aren’t social distancing properly! When a band becomes really big, it’s the media who start to camp out on their doorstep and stir up controversies. As a band, we can decide what we record, what we photograph or film, and what we release; we’ve never experienced fans invading our privacy. Yet!
CV: Is music, and its value, viewed
differently around the world in your opinion? If so, what do you see as
the biggest difference in such multiple views among various cultures?
CA: I have no idea! It seems as if every country has their own unique culture around the creation and appreciation of music, but I’m not David Attenborough, so I don’t feel like I know enough about different cultures’ musical values.
CA: I have no idea! It seems as if every country has their own unique culture around the creation and appreciation of music, but I’m not David Attenborough, so I don’t feel like I know enough about different cultures’ musical values.
CV: Do you feel that a band that has an
international appeal, will tend to connect more so to American audiences? Would
they be more enticed or intrigued to see the band over indigenous acts because
of the foreign flavor?
CA: I’m inclined to say no. American audiences seem to not quite have the patience for foreign imports that other countries do’ I don’t think ABBA really took off over there, nor did subtitled movies. If you look at other cultures, like South America and India, they often have a bigger appetite for English-speaking music than the other way around. But I’m not an expert!
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
CA: It’s definitely made it much easier for people to create content. For example, almost anyone can make a song using loops and presets on GarageBand. But I don’t think it does any good to maintain the idea of an “Artist” who is better than other people for some indiscernible reason. The accessibility of technology means that people who wouldn’t have previously been able to make music/art now can; we’ve seen loads of institutions release free courses and software online, which gives so many opportunities to people from low-income/disadvantaged backgrounds. Making music is still expensive, which means it’s easier for well-off people to make it. The accessibility of digital tech is beginning to change that, and I think that’s a good thing.
CA: I’m inclined to say no. American audiences seem to not quite have the patience for foreign imports that other countries do’ I don’t think ABBA really took off over there, nor did subtitled movies. If you look at other cultures, like South America and India, they often have a bigger appetite for English-speaking music than the other way around. But I’m not an expert!
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
CA: It’s definitely made it much easier for people to create content. For example, almost anyone can make a song using loops and presets on GarageBand. But I don’t think it does any good to maintain the idea of an “Artist” who is better than other people for some indiscernible reason. The accessibility of technology means that people who wouldn’t have previously been able to make music/art now can; we’ve seen loads of institutions release free courses and software online, which gives so many opportunities to people from low-income/disadvantaged backgrounds. Making music is still expensive, which means it’s easier for well-off people to make it. The accessibility of digital tech is beginning to change that, and I think that’s a good thing.
CV: How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends and one who sets them?
CA: Time. If you did it first, or were an early adopter, then you set the trend. If you came to it late, and/or didn’t bring anything new to the trend, then you’d be described as a follower. Again, I’m not sure how useful this distinction is. I really rate innovation as a value, so I guess the only difference between trendsetter/trend-follower…other than time, is the ability to create something new in the context of that trend.
CV: Has music overall been splintered
into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion?
And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole
by dividing audiences?
CA: Errrr…possibly. Algorithms do a lot of the dividing between genres for us, I guess, so maybe. I don’t think anything has weakened the impact of any particular music by categorizing it differently. I can’t say this is something I particularly relate to or have experienced, to be honest.
CA: Errrr…possibly. Algorithms do a lot of the dividing between genres for us, I guess, so maybe. I don’t think anything has weakened the impact of any particular music by categorizing it differently. I can’t say this is something I particularly relate to or have experienced, to be honest.
CV: What can fans expect to see coming
next from you?
CA: We will be releasing the music video for “People Change” before too long, so keep an eye out for that. We’re currently polishing up the music for a short film which will air on the BBC…yes, that BBC, in 2021…it will probably be a little while before we’re allowed to release any more info than that, but we’re working on it at the moment. Plus we’ve been writing songs like they’re going out of fashion, so maybe we’ll get time to record another something and release that in 2021…let’s wait and see.
CA: We will be releasing the music video for “People Change” before too long, so keep an eye out for that. We’re currently polishing up the music for a short film which will air on the BBC…yes, that BBC, in 2021…it will probably be a little while before we’re allowed to release any more info than that, but we’re working on it at the moment. Plus we’ve been writing songs like they’re going out of fashion, so maybe we’ll get time to record another something and release that in 2021…let’s wait and see.
CV: Thanks again Chris for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
CA: Thank you!
CA: Thank you!
Check out Ali In The Jungle at:
1-URL: http://hyperurl.co/1t0nl7
1-URL: http://hyperurl.co/1t0nl7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aliinthejungle
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aliinthejunglemusic
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aliinthejunglemusic
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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