“I think people crave worlds now,” remarks Alison Wonderland, electronic music’s pioneer, about albums coming back in this fast-paced industry. After being fed an excess of singles, there are signs of a societal shift towards solid, full-length bodies of work and curated realities across records rather than three-minute outbursts. The Assuie genre-defining figure Alison Wonderland supports this hypothesis with her own work and her fifth studio album, GHOST WORLD.
Across fourteen tracks, Wonderland offers a place of refuge for lost souls, yearning for a spot in this sleepless world. GHOST WORLD is an electronic masterpiece, musically intricate and mature, while reminiscent of Wonderland’s roots and debut record RUN. With no preconceived notions, Wonderland uses music as a vessel for all that had to be released, encouraging people listening to use their power to create their own universe.
During our conversation before the end of the year, Alison Wonderland shared more about the musical odyssey behind GHOST WORLD, the way in which the process grounded her, and collaborating with Ninajirachi on “Heaven” and “Sirens.” She also opened up about the personal struggles that inspired tracks like “Again? Fuck” and how failure and making mistakes were the most valuable lessons in the early days of her playing at Sydney clubs.
Beyond her talent, Alison Wonderland is driven by a pure passion for her craft and by immersing herself in music production as a way of self-expression. GHOST WORLD is a token of personal confession, haunting baselines, andcelebrating the original rave sense of freedom and escapism. Find out more about the world of Alison Wonderland in the interview below.
In this fast-paced industry, do you think albums are coming back?
ABSOLUTLEY. I remember when I was working on GHOST WORLD, I was feeling really unsure about releasing another album in this climate, but I really feel like I am an album artist, creating a story, a time capsule, a whole body of work is so important for me as an artist… anyways.. I was feeling insecure about making another album (its my 5th album including Whyte Fang), amongst all the electronic artists releasing singles… and a kid who was supporting me at a show said to me – “people listen to singles for 6 months but they will listen to albums forever.” It is so true. I think people crave worlds now. An album is a form of escapism. I’m happy to see people like Skrillex, Fred Again, Ninajirachi, Madeon, Kaskade amongst others releasing full bodies of work, I can see fans reacting to this so positively and it keeps me super optimistic.
Speaking of albums, congratulations on the release of your fourth record Ghost World. What are the main emotions you’re feeling when you’re listening back to it now?
I honestly feel pride. The album almost did not get made because I was feeling so lost. But I realized it, I owed it to myself (and my fans) to honestly write about how I am feeling – and that’s how the album was born. I didn’t listen to any external voices when creating this and I collaborated with friends only, including Memba, Erick the Architect, QUIX, Ninajirachi, DJ_Dave and ahem… Whyte Fang. I felt so free creating my Whyte Fang album Genesis, that I wanted to bring that energy back to Alison. And I truly feel like I achieved it.
On Ghost World you are returning back to your roots, could you compare this record with your debut album Run?
I just feel like creatively I was feeling the same energy as I did with Run. I had no pre conceived notions on what I was writing about, I didn’t over think, and I let myself be weird, and let the music and lyrics flow without asking anyone for feedback. I feels so genuine, I’m also in a better state of mind, say, compared to Loner… where I had hit rock bottom in my life. This time I wanted to create a world for myself and others for feel a little misplaced in this world.
How was it collaborating with Ninajirachi on “Heaven”?
Amazing! She reminds me a lot of myself when I’m in the studio and her ideas are so fresh and inspiring, she even worked with me on the song “sirens” on the album (you can hear her whispering at the start cos I think she has a cool voice haha) it’s always great when you work with another artist and they offer a perspective of a song that pushes it to be even better than you thought.
You would like people to use Ghost World as a place of refuge for those on a quest to find their home. What are the main messages you would like your fans to take away from the Ghost World listening experience?
BE YOURSELF AND THE RIGHT PEOPLE WILL GET YOU, AND IT IS OK TO FEEL A LITTLE LOST SOMETIMES.
You said Ghost World feels like touching grass for you. Would you say the writing and recording process healed certain parts of you?
Absolutely, I created a safe space for myself mentally and musically. No one can hurt me when it comes to music because I know I gave this my all.
What were the most pivotal carer-making moments from the early days of you playing ay Sydney clubs?
Honestly, the times I fucked up, failed and made mistakes, I failed upward always. Every time something didn’t work, I problem solved and practiced. It made me a better performer, DJ, artist, problem solver and taught me not to give up.
Do you feel comforted and recognized in talking to your peers, other artists in the industry about how lonely it feels being an artist in this day and age? Is it talked about enough you think?
Hmmm I wish I felt more comforted by my peers. Social media is a mental health crisis and a disease and for the most part I’m just seeing their highlight reel. My close friends in the industry definitely made me feel seen with this album. And some even reached out to me relating to the songs. Sometimes I wish I had more industry support from people I respect… but maybe that’s my own issues of my dad not saying he was proud of me enough lol.
You had your second child, a huge congratulations! Did you feel a wave of new creative energy after having your baby?
I felt even more driven to only do my very best.
What would you like to say to people who have been commenting on you performing pregnant?
Nothing. I know my body and my limits, everyone is different.
As a woman, I would like to thank you for embodying such a strong role model for other women and moms. It is refreshing to watch you still do what you love. What advice would you like to share with other women who are worried they might lose their identity when becoming moms?
Best advice I was given while pregnant – “Life your life and let the baby cook.”
Would you be comfortable to open up about what your track “Again? Fuck” is about? What is your reasoning behind the subtle humour and anger, which plays a role in the song?
It’s about experiencing my fourth miscarriage. I almost had to use humor to get through it because it was so traumatic. Again? Fuck. Is the sentiment I felt when I found out I had to have surgery again. Sometimes the only way I can get through stuff is by refusing to wallow in my own sadness.
I know second hand (my sister) how traumatic having multiple miscarriages can be. Would you be able to share things that helped you to get through your most recent pregnancy?
My support network and my music. I kept my life going and tried to live every day to the fullest and happiest. I wanted that energy passed onto my child.
“Iwannnaliveinadream” is about escaping reality. Other than music, what do you do to really sign off and get grounded?
Sleep. Just kidding, I still don’t know how to sign off. Turning off my phone helps.
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Words: Karolina Kramplova
Photographer: DONSLENS