A Quick Chat With ALEIA
ALEIA makes a striking entrance with Had Your Fun, a tender and gut-punching debut single out now. The Boorloo-based singer-songwriter blends indie, alt-folk, and pop with unfiltered honesty, capturing the emotional fallout of modern dating with poetic precision. Had Your Fun floats on delicate piano and ghostly vocals, unraveling a post-breakup reckoning where clarity cuts through nostalgia. It's haunting without being heavy, graceful without glossing over the hurt. We caught up with ALEIA to talk about the track, her creative beginnings, and what’s next.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
‘Had Your Fun’ was the first track I recorded last year after a breakup. I was processing a lot of heavy emotions - anger, confusion and sadness. My life was doing a complete 180 but still, I couldn't escape the feeling my ex was "winning the breakup". It was a textbook toxic relationship where I found myself often not speaking up for myself. Finally putting it all into words was very therapeutic to me. I was able to get a lot off my chest and in retrospect seeing all I had put up with for so long. If I want anyone to take away anything from this song - you don't get an award for staying and putting up with it. Do what's best for you especially if the person you are with isn't.
Who are some of your influences, and why?
Amy Winehouse and Fiona Apple have been major influences for me. I’ve always been drawn towards strong, outspoken women who are unapologetically themselves. Songwriters who tackle the uncomfortable and messy parts while remaining relatable. They are not only incredible songwriters but they have never been trying to be anything they aren't.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
My writing process can either be very scattered with a million voice recordings, or lyrics written on many notes app entries where the challenge becomes piecing it together. Other times I sit by the piano and hit record and a stream of conscious writing session has me writing a song in 10 minutes.
My producer, Dylan (Ollivierre) has had the privilege of getting full songs ready to record or a messy 5-minute diary entry that we workshop together. One of my favourite parts about songwriting is I'm surprised every day by the process.
What do you think makes a great song?
I think a great song is never written with the intention of it being a ‘hit’. The song has to move the listener. I believe that can only happen through authenticity. If the songwriter believes what they are saying the listener will feel that too.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
A much younger Aleia would have been obsessed with the idea of writing alongside Kimbra or Fiona Apple but now I would probably say Flight of the Concords. I’ve always been cursed with writing sad, serious songs and I would like to write something fun and unserious!
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
It really is a coin flip of what that weeks hyper fixation is. Most recently I fell down an Internet rabbit hole and started making chainmail. With all the strange and new craft hobbies I have pick up over the years I think I should be sponsored by Spotlight at this point.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Perth Artists that have been on repeat in my house - EDIE, Elianie, Clare Perrot and Coco Elise I recommend everyone to check them out.
Winter or summer and why?
Winter is the only possible answer, winter fashion, storms, candles! It aligns with my witchy behaviours.
What do you have planned for 2025?
I have big plans for 2025. I can’t give away too much yet but I’ve spent the last year writing and recording a lot of music. Being in a very creative place and meeting a lot of very talented people. More music is definitely coming out.