Who’s That Girl?
Who’s That Girl?
Vogue: With her punkish appearance – a penchant for leather jackets, coordinating DayGlo eyebrows and hair – it’s easy to mistake 21-year-old Finnish singer Alma as someone making music for that genre. In reality, it’s a pop-ish sound with the attitude and punch of punk remaining. The Guardian have described her as “a cybergoth reimagining of a young Adele and sounds like Beth Ditto”, and with the handle @cyberalma on Instagram it’s a sentiment she clearly endorses. Here, ahead of her taking the stage at London’s Jazz cafe tonight, we get familiar with the new name in music to know:
How would you describe your music?
Influenced and pop. You don’t have to take it very seriously all the time. It’s very real and its very me. I’m just singing and vibing.
What would you like people to feel when they listen to your music?
I hope when they hear a track they go: ‘Okay I totally get her’. I’d like it to be that they feel me and they understand my words and my meanings as they go through.
How does the music you make influence your personal style?
Particularly with the songs that I’m making now, you can hear the punk music. I’m from Finland and kids are angry there during the dark cold winter so maybe that’s why. When I went to LA, they thought I was doing punk music and I had to explain, ‘No, I’m doing pop but there’s still a powerful punk energy.’
Who has the biggest impact on your style?
I’m always looking at what my sister and my friends are wearing.
What’s been the biggest influence on the new record?
I’m always just writing about what I’m experiencing and this new life that I’m currently living, travelling a lot. There are definitely songs about missing people, but also about how great – and how I still don’t understand – what is happening for me. There’s lots of new things to write about.
Where is your favourite place to play?
It’s always so lovely to go back home to do a gig because everybody there is so supportive and usually crying. I really love London. I really love UK people – the vibe, the humour and I’m really looking forward to playing gigs here all over.
Who would headline your festival?
Sia, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5 – but they’d still have to be kids.
What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
I’m on tour right now and that’s what I’m most excited about: live gigs. It’s great to get out of the studio with my great band. My sister is my backing singer. Our whole band is excited – it’s our first tour!
Who would you like to duet with?
Sia is great, Charli XCX is great – she’s amazing. MO is great too, basically every cool chick that’s making music right now.
What’s the most worn item in your wardrobe?
Black leather jacket with punk patches and rock bands. Although, I don’t have a clue what they are. I have 10 different ones that are all quite similar, but I can see the difference. They’re always vintage and come from LA, Helskini, London.
What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I have a twin sister and we have the same glow-in-the-dark hair. When you see us in the club, it’s very bright. When they always first meet us they never know who is who.
Alma’s latest single Chasing Highs is out now
