After a recent overseas trip (her first international travel in 2.5 years), Melbourne electronic, trip hop, soul artist, Alice Ivy has returned home to be part of the Groovin The Moo 2022 line-up, an event that returns to the festival calendar for the first time since 2019.
A Groovin alumni, last year Ivy released two banger collaborations; 'Someone Stranger' with Camp Cope's Georgia Maq and 'Weakness' featuring Sycco and American musician Nick Movshon (Amy Winehouse).The time spent in the United States saw Ivy partake in more writing and collaborative sessions that could feature on her next studio project (that's "in the works"), Alice sat down for a quick chat.
What's news out of the Alice Ivy camp?
The world is finally opening up again! I just got back from my first trip overseas in two and a half years, which is so exciting. I've been spending some time in the States doing some writing.
You posted to socials that playing Groovin The Moo is a dream come true; what has you so pumped for the festival (that's on the next two weekends)?
Groovin The Moo was one of the first festivals I ever played; back in 2017, I played on one of the smaller side stages for the Bendigo leg, so it's so good to be back doing the whole run.
What does it mean to play a festival like GTM with such a banging line-up that also visits areas that usually don't get the major music festivals like Maitland and Bendigo?
It's incredible; usually my favourite shows always go down in rural areas, it's just so cool to be a part of it all.
Festival sets compared to your own headline gigs; do you approach them that much differently and what can GTM audiences expect from you?
Usually creatively I don't really approach them much differently to be honest. I like to bring the same amount of energy to a festival show or a headline show.
For GTM though, I've been working on the set so it flows non-stop and feels like a giant party; we've gone bigger on the production, expect a good time!
Current influences; who-what are inspiring you and how is that materialising in your own music?
I've spent the past month in the US, so I've been really inspired by a lot of the collaborators and artists I've been writing with over there. Those influences have naturally been working their way into my music through collaboration in the studio.
After your recent singles with Sycco and Georgia Maq, do you have more studio collabs in the works?
Always! Collaboration is at the core of what I do.
Where are you at for the next Alice Ivy studio album?
It's in the works.
The approach to making a larger body of music like a record; after your 2018 and 2020 albums have you been able to nail down a template that assists you streamlining the process or is each new recording project its own entity with its own set of characteristics that need to be honoured to create the best outcome?
I haven't been able to lock down a template or anything that assists me with a new recording process.
Each body of work has its own identity and journey, and it should only be a natural process that isn't forced. I guess maybe that's one thing I've learnt after putting out a couple of records now, sometimes songwriting can happen quickly, sometimes they take time and you just gotta do what feels right.
When it comes to recording, what sort of equipment arsenal do you have at your disposable?
I'm super lucky to be working out of one of the most incredible spaces in Melbourne now with a pretty neat collection of outboard gear and a whole heap of synths.
I'll just shortlist what I've really been digging at the moment. Synth wise, I love the Juno 06, Mellotron, Sub 37 and I love my Minilogue. Guitar wise I love my Strat and my Epiphone Sheridan.
Outboard wise, I recently bought a LA2A which I LOVE and I've been having fun with the Ibanez UE-400. Mic wise, especially in sessions in the States I've been really digging the Aston Origin mic.
Tell us about collaborating with Nick Movshon last year (whose resume and associated acts is mouth-dropping good)?
Working with Nick was a dream. I can't express how cool it was getting four bass stems from him and just dropping them into the Ableton session for 'Weakness'; everything was so locked in and wonderful.
Internationally you have a couple of music festivals upcoming - Electric Forest in US and The Great Escape in the UK; that's next level. Are both of those pinch-yourself moments?
Totally, especially after the past couple of years; any of these kinds of opportunities particularly festivals overseas are absolute pinch-me moments.
Do you sense your reputation building to the point where you'll be playing regularly overseas and is that something that excites you?
I hope so! Especially with the world opening up again, I'm hoping to spend a bit more time overseas; there are more and more opportunities coming to light overseas, so it's looking good.
Strangest or most random place you've heard one of your own songs playing?
My parents sent me a video of them drinking a spritz at a TINY pub in the middle of central Australia with 'Better Man' playing in the background.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Can't wait for Groovin let's GO!
Groovin The Moo 2022 Tour Dates
Sat 23 Apr - Maitland Showground (Hunter Valley)Sun 24 Apr - Exhibition Park In Canberra
Sat 30 Apr - Prince Of Wales Showgrounds (Bendigo)
Groovin The Moo 2022 Line-up
Alice IvyBroods
Chaii
grentperez
Hilltop Hoods
Hockey Dad
Hope D
Jesswar
JK-47
Lime Cordiale
Mashd N Kutcher
Masked Wolf
Middle Kids
Montaigne
Peking Duk
Polaris
RedHook
Riton
Shouse
Snakehips
Spiderbait
Sycco
Thomas Headon
Wolf Alice
With hosts Dijok & Jawbreakers
