Interview: The Naked and Famous

The Naked and Famous front-woman Alisa Xayalith.

You've been shortlisted on the BBC's Sound of 201, you've just come off the back of a tonne of Big Day Out gigs and you debuted at number one on the New Zealand single charts for your "Young Blood" single. What's running through your head?
It's all been really surreal and super flattering that we've been recognised on such a big platform. I think we're all really chuffed and just so happy because it exposes us to more audiences that would have never heard of us.

What's been the highlight so far?
Being on the BBC Sound of 2011 short-list was a great feat in itself. We're the first New Zealand band to ever been a part of something like that - the list from the year before was so impressive - that it can only mean good things.

You also received the APRA Silver Scroll Award (for excellence in song writing) for "Young Blood" that got more than 800,000 views on YouTube. What's it like to see your work go so viral so quickly?
It was great because there were five songs by five New Zealand artists. The way it all works is that there's a voting system that can only be done by other songwriting members. So to be recognised by your peers and other songwriters in New Zealand is just awesome. There are lots of songwriters in our town that we look up to and it's great that they recognise us as equals and as fellow songwriters.

What's the standout track for you on this album?
"Jilted Lover" is one of my favourites. It's just one of the darker songs on the album and it just felt really special recording it in the studio.

What's your favourite part in the music making process? Is it the writing, the recording or the performing?
It would definitely have to be when we are in the studio. But being in the studio doesn't mean like a big studio, it could be in one of our bedrooms with a bunch of microphones where we write and record. For me, it's where a lot of things come together and where a lot of things take shape. So you're crafting these things for the first time and it all first happens in the studio. I think a lot of the other band members would feel the same way.

I do also really love performing live. It's really unpredictable and so much fun when you connect with all these people and the music is the one thing that you have in common. When the audience sings the words back to you, it's such a great feeling.

What inspires your song-writing? Does it come from your personal experiences or is it more random?
For me, it can be anything. I've been inspired by comic books, by my own life experiences to other people's life experiences. If I have a moment of inspiration I just write it down so I don't forget it.

Has there been a moment that's really surprised you?
There's this one song that didn't make this album, but hopefully it will make the next one. I was inspired by a comic book called I Kill Giants. It was one of those stories that I came across and instantly felt like it was written about me. It was just so uncanny and so I really connected with this comic book.

What made you think the story was about you?
It's a story about a little schoolgirl who's an outsider and battles with bullies. She pretends she kills giants on a regular basis and she makes up these stories as a way of dealing with her mother because her mother is sick and she eventually passes away. That's pretty much my childhood (laughs), so it was really touching. It was one of those stories that made me think, "Oh my goodness, this story is about me (laughs)."

So you've experienced being an outsider?
Yes, I sure have.

Thom Powers of The Naked and Famous.



There must be moments when you think, I used to be an outsider and now my band is this international success. What would want to say to the bullies who used to pick on you at school?
Oh, I just wouldn't give them the time of day now (laughs).

Have you had personal experiences that reflect the title of your album, Passive Me Aggressive You?
It was an interesting lyric because of the visual polarity that you get when you read that. The polarities concept runs right through the album. In part, it's about the male and female dynamic and reflects the kind of characters that we sing about in our lighter songs, as well as our darker songs. Even the artwork that shows a digital landscape juxtaposed against this organic landscape, reflects the notion of polarities. It's something that we're fascinated by.

How would you describe yourself: introverted or extroverted? Passive or aggressive?
I'm definitely more introverted I think. The whole band is quite insular and we're all quite introverted. We don't go to after-parties, we play computer games in our rooms (laughs) and read books.

What's it like being the only female in the band?
It can be really hard sometimes. It does get lonely. Sometimes I wish I could bring my best friend into it with me because it would just be so much more fun. But the guys are really great, I mean, they're like brothers and they take care of me and I'm like their mother (laughs). I make sure they bring their sweaters so they don't get cold and that sort of thing.

Are you inspired by any strong female artists?
Oh yeah, absolutely. When I was in high school I was so inspired by artists like Bjork and Alison Mosshart from The Kills. She's one of my biggest inspirations. I adore PJ Harvey because she's so strong and aggressive but fragile at the same time. And the Yeah Yeah Yeahs's Karen O is just such an amazing performer and artist. I love the fact that they're so accomplished.

As the only female in the band, is there an added pressure on how you look and what your wear?
Yes, I do think about the clothes that I wear. But that's more because I think about the kinds of clothes that allow me to jump and climb all over the stage. I tend to wear sneakers, jeans and dresses. Being able to wear sneakers with all my dresses is definitely a great thing (laughs).

Will you ever hire a stylist?
I've come to this point without a stylist, so I doubt I'll use one in the future. I've always made up my own outfits. I think it's pretty weird to have a stylist. I don't think I need one, do I (laughs)?

You opened for your own heroes Nine Inch Nails back in 2009. How did you feel when (singer, songwriter, producer) Trent Reznor dropped by to say he liked your show?
It was totally nerve-racking even performing on the same stage as them. They've been a huge inspiration and it was surreal having that kind of direct feedback from them. I felt incredibly elated.

Xayalith on stage.



What would you be doing if you weren't a musician?
I can't imagine doing anything else, to be honest. I've wanted to be a musician since I was a little kid. I was singing in talent quests and all sorts of things, and it was such a dream come true.

BEST OF...

Best time of the day: Sunset.

Best review: I don't read my reviews. But I remember someone saying they liked my hair (laughs).

Best item in my wardrobe: A floor length Juliette Hogan skirt.

Best piece of advice I've been given: Always take your make-up off before bed.

Best romantic moment: I wish I had one. I'm happily single. It's complicated.

Best lesson I learnt the hard way: I should refrain from impulse shopping.

Passive Me, Aggressive You (Universal) is out now. Visit www.thenakedandthefamous.com.

Images: Getty Images