Admired for tender and refreshingly honest songwriting, Adelaide singer-songwriter aleksiah recently unveiled her debut EP, 'Who Are You When You're Not Performing?'.
A heartfelt offering of indie-pop, coming-of-age anthems, the EP sees aleksiah's potent storytelling flourish over six tracks. "This EP is a collection of songs I wrote to explore the contradictory nature of being a young woman. It's wanting to mature, but being scared of sagging skin and wrinkles."It's about love and yearning but fear of the vulnerability that comes with it, and dealing with infantilisation and sexualisation, often at the same time.
"The whole EP centres on the highs and lows of girlhood, feeling jealousy and confusion, but also the friendship and joy that you find as you grow older.
"I felt that at my age, I could look back on my experiences with objectivity and see the good and bad in them, how I was simply a person finding my way in the world like everyone does. It's extremely personal and honest, and I hope people can find comfort and resonate with it."
Ahead of the final weekend of her national tour (Brisbane and Sydney), aleksiah spotlights all of the best music venues in her home town of Adelaide that support emerging indie talent.
"There's been a lot of talk of some amazing music venues shutting down around the country, and I thought I would do my due diligence and tell you about the best places to shake your ass to some great tunes in my home town of Adelaide."
1: Crown & Anchor
This is a classic for anyone in the Adelaide music scene. Everyone calls it the Cranker, it's an institution. There's a small, albeit dingy band room in the back but some of my most fun gigs were seen there.I remember seeing Eliza & The Delusionals there in 2022 and it was amazing. They also do $3 schooners every Wednesday, and in this economy that's basically free.
2: Jive
I have been to Jive more times than I've had hot dinners. The floors are covered in the stickiest substance known to man, and the women's toilets are in need of a biblical mend, but it's such a great venue.The dance floor is wide and the disco ball that hangs from the ceiling brings back memories of being 19 and going to see a gig with my closest friends. It's a classic!
3: Ancient World
Ancient's is a dive bar situated off of Hindley Street, a very popular nightlife area in Adelaide. You'll find most experimental and jazz acts playing here on Thursday to Sunday nights.It's cozy and dimly lit, and when you go there you'll always bump into someone that you know! They also do Wednesday night karaoke, which I was a frequent participate in for a good couple of years. Don't need to twist my arm to force me onto a stage.
4: Lion Arts Factory
Lion's is one of the bigger more established music venues in Adelaide.You'll usually see all the big touring bands playing here, and I have been lucky enough to play here as well when I was supporting the lovely Teenage Dads. The sound is always amazing and rock solid in Lion's, and there's plenty of room to dance. Very cool space.
5: The Grace Emily
The Grace Emily holds a very special place in my heart. It's the place where I attended my first ever legal gig, I was freshly 18 and went to go see a jazz quartet because I thought it was cool; nevertheless, it's such a beautiful and wholesome venue.My first ever headline, home-town gig was at the Grace Em. It was an amazing night and somehow we managed to sell out my show as well; can't recommend catching a gig at this place enough. It's a little bit of a walk from the city centre, but it's worth it.
aleksiah 2024 Tour Dates
Fri 14 Jun - Black Bear Lodge (Brisbane)Sat 15 Jun - The Vanguard (Sydney)
