Feature: ALI Decodes “The List”
What was the creative process like for this song?
Ali Abdala (lead vocals): The song's backbone was around for a couple of years. Initially, it was meant to be a more experimental, synth-driven piece. But we’ve always felt like this doesn’t suit the overall vibe of its message. It wasn’t even planned as part of our debut album, it was seated by the corner, waiting for its time. At a certain point, out of the blue, one of us suggested that we add a low trombone, giving it a ship horn-like sound and suddenly it all fell into place. We got rid of most of the electronics and synthesisers, recorded brass and saxophones and the song’s heart started beating.
Petar Schwartz (guitarist): Like most of our songs, Ali brought us a demo, then it started marinating in rehearsal jam sessions and live performances. "The List" really started grabbing our attention last year when we figured out how to get it to open as each of us learned how to evolve our parts as the song progressed. In the studio Ali and Kalo, our bass player and producer, added the final touch bringing in new sounds and an extra level of dynamic in the last verse.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
Ali: Everytime we had a shot and put on our costumes it was like a little Christmas, because the cold was absolutely exotic.
Schwartz: Seeing how the blue walls and Nori's (lead actress) hair contrasting themselves on the preview screen - even better than they did in the storyboard. That really brought the overall look and feel into life for me.
How does "The List" fit into your overall artistic vision?
Ali: “The List” compliments the stylistic and sonic variety of our to-be debut album. By now it’s clear for our fanbase that we don’t follow a certain style, but instead we’re trying to create our original and distinctive one.
Schwartz: Ali has the full artistic vision in his head if anyone. Collectively, I think we see each song as a separate piece. All songs deserve and have our full attention as we bring them to closure - their eternal resting place on the album. There are, however, elements that give it our band's signature: Ali's voice, guitars layed on top of less expected synthy sounds, playful bass, no two parts ever really played the same way, etc. It's six guys with varied musical tastes simultaneously contributing their own touches and making space for a common vision.
How do you approach creating something new and different?
Ali: Most of the time it approaches us. Our job is to be aware and have an open mind and senses, to let it sink and evolve in us until we decide it is good enough to turn into a full-scale song.
Schwartz: You need to let it come to you. Everyone has music in them - we just need to learn how to hear it and let it flow without overthinking. We still make some decisions more analytically, but deciding what stays or not happens via a "goosebumps test". You need to earnestly like the music you're playing. The final and critical touch is Ali and Kalo making a choice of what parts to throw away and how to arrange what's left. Removing is just as much a part of the process as adding.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and connecting with your audience?
Ali: Live concerts are the reason we make music. The energy is transferred throughout the whole venue, and there is no limit.
Schwartz: I guess it's the adrenaline of being in the moment, with your brothers on stage and in front of a room full of people who for an hour and a half of their lives feel your music together with you. You've got to give them your all, treating it like it's your first and last time. Anything could go wrong - that very real risk which you collectively decide to take feeds back into the experience of being in the moment. It's a very unique situation. You have to cherish and respect it because that's where the meaning of making music lies, doesn't it?
