Nadia Ali keeps dance floors grooving all across the globe

Nadia Ali lives the kind of life many of us dream of. She travels the world, works with some of the most heralded artists on the planet and, as if all that wasn’t enough, has made a name for herself and a successful career doing what she loves.

A quick glimpse of what the life of an internationally renowned (and coincidentally Grammy-nominated) singer/songwriter is like can be found on her Twitter feed. On April 29, 2012 after returning from performing in Miami, she wrote, “NYC. Home sweet home.” The very next day, she tweeted, “Lots of packing to do for my trip to LA tomorrow.” As the saying goes, there’s no rest for the weary.

“You know, the grass is always greener on the other side,” Ali tells Submerge. “I envy people who have very stable lifestyles where they just stay in one place, but there was a time where all I wanted to do was travel.”

As it turns out, the trip to Los Angeles has deeper ramifications than just a simple concert or brief vacation. It’s a move that may turn out to be permanent.

“This is my month to try out L.A,” she confides. “Based on what happens this month determines how quickly I move, or whether or not I move for sure, but so far it’s looking like it’s happening.”

“I’m kind of tired of New York,” Ali adds. “I’ve been there since I was 5 years old, and I’m over it.”

Born in Libya to Pakistani parents, Ali moved to New York City’s borough of Queens at an early age. When she was just 17, she was introduced to producer Markus Moser. The two formed electronic duo iiO, and in 2001 released the single “Rapture,” which thrust Ali into instant recognition and coaxed people onto dance floors worldwide. In 2005, Ali began pursuing a solo career and became a highly sought-after vocalist in the EDM world. In 2009, she released Embers, her solo debut. Lush and intoxicating, Embers blended pulsating digital beats with Ali’s deft songwriting skills, creating an album that would appeal to pop music lovers and dance music aficionados.

Currently, she’s embarked upon a North American tour that spans from now through the end of July. In the midst of that, she’s also working on her sophomore release, Phoenix, which is, as of now, without a solid release date. Ali filled us in on her upcoming album and also shed some light on her most recent collaboration with superstar electronica producer BT in the following interview.

You’re always being tapped to work with other artists, and in May you have a new single, “Must Be the Love,” with BT debuting. How did that come about?
I had been in touch with BT through Sultan and Ned Shepard. I had to ask BT a question about something business related, and we started talking. It was interesting because I’ve admired his music since I first started doing dance music. I think it was a few months later that I got an email from BT, and he said, “Would you like to try writing something to this track?” and of course I was all over it, because I had been a massive fan for such a long time. He’s a pioneer in electronic music. I wrote the song in Toronto, and that was it. I sent it over to him, and he loved it. He tweeted to his fans how much he was a fan and that he’s excited for the song. Very recently, Arty jumped on the track. It’s been good. I’m excited, because the song is very meaningful to me.

Meaningful in what way?
The original title of the song was “We Heal.” It’s all about how when we get into a really great relationship, our life changes for the better. The past wounds and the past scars that we have are healed by a new love. It has to do with love as a healing factor.

You said you wrote the track in Toronto, and Arty just recently hopped onto the song. Did you know Arty would be on the track? Do you think about that stuff when you write?
I had no idea that Arty was going to be on that collaboration. When I sent out the track to BT, I thought it was going to be just us. Actually, a year after we recorded it, or longer, I found out on YouTube that Arty was going to be on the track [laughs]. BT was like, “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you…” Arty’s super talented, so it’s cool.

Does that affect the way you write at all?
I never think about who’s going to produce it… Actually, that’s not true. When it was BT, I knew I had to bring something to the table that matched BT. I brought a meaningful song, because I think he’s a meaningful artist. I have other artists where I do fun pop songs, because I know it’s going to be a commercial song that they’re looking for. I think it just depends on the artist.

You’ve had Grammy nominations and have been at this for a while. It’s neat that it’s still a thrill for you to work with artists you admire.
Oh absolutely. I’m a very lucky girl. I’ve been in this career for 12 years. It’s been a good gig.

Other than collaborating with other artists, you’re working on your second solo album now. I know it’s still in its early phases, but how is the writing going on that for you?
Well, I’ve been writing tracks for it since I finished my first album, but the issue is, when you’re touring, how do you make time to continue recording? So that’s what I’m trying to work on right now. I’m being a lot more proactive about it now. That’s why I’m in Los Angeles. I feel like Los Angeles is giving me that new inspiration that I need, so I’m excited.

I was reading that the new album Phoenix is going to be a bit more dance-y than your first album Embers.
I’ve been doing dance music from the start of my career, but Embers was more of a self-indulgent album where I wanted to express myself as a singer/songwriter. I’ve done a lot of music since then, and I feel like my fan base is itching for a dance album, so I’m giving them what they want.

Before we were talking about the track you did with BT and how the lyrics were meaningful to you. When you write a dance track, does that change your mindset?
It really depends on the type of song the artist is looking for. I know some artists want a really catchy commercial song, and they don’t really care about lyrics or a message in songs, and some guys really care about the music in the song. I work accordingly. It’s really different for every situation, for every different producer.

You were talking about your touring schedule, and you’re pretty much on the road between now and the middle of the summer. How is it going so far and what can fans expect?
This tour, most of the dates are in the United States, but after that, I’m going to work on really developing my live show and bringing it to the next level. That’s a goal. You always want to put it out there, but until you get to that stage where you have time to do it, then you have a better picture of what’s going to realistically happen.

What kind of stuff are you looking to incorporate in the future?
I know it’s going to have a lot of LED screens, lots of lights. Lots of glitz and glam.

Nadia Ali will also be debuting some new tracks on her current tour, so Sacramento should make a point to go to District 30 on May 24, 2012. Also on-hand will be Trevor Simpson, and the event will be hosted by Midnite Events, AJ Memar and Stephanie Weaver. For more info, go to http://district30sacramento.com/, or call (916) 737-5770.

Bluesman John Lee Hooker Jr. set to release new album

Taking up the family business may seem like the logical step for any child of a successful parent. However, there are some pitfalls of embarking upon this path. For example, is it even possible to forge your own identity, or are you doomed to be compared to who came before? It’s a challenge that John Lee Hooker Jr. has taken on headfirst throughout his career.

Son of the late, great Delta bluesman John Lee Hooker, the junior bluesman himself has had a long and storied journey through his career, though it hasn’t been the smoothest ride. He began performing music as a child, and by his teens, he was on the road touring and recording with his legendary father.

Drugs, alcohol, divorce and imprisonment derailed a promising career for a long time. But faith helped resurrect him, and in 2004, in his early 50s, he released his first album, Blues with a Vengeance, which was nominated for a Grammy. Three albums followed–studio releases Cold As Ice and another Grammy nominee All Odds Against Me and 2010’s Live in Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking with Hooker Jr., it’s clear that even at age 60, he’s as exuberant as his music, old school blues infused with a modern R&B swagger. He attributes this to God, exercise and a healthy lifestyle (he even proudly boasts that he graced the cover of Healthy Living Magazine). Also, it’s the music that keeps him vibrant. Even after all this time as a performer, he says he still is able to experience new things.

“There’s always something that you haven’t experienced,” he says.

In February 2012, he and his band played the Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai, India. Visiting the country and performing there was a new experience.

“What an experience,” he recalls. “It was something that’s a lifetime experience. Something you’d normally see in documentaries or in the newspaper, and you fantasize or imagine about it, but we were actually there. The people were the kindest people I’ve ever met. The culture is so unique and hospitable. I can’t describe it but to say it was awesome. It was really awesome.”

It’s clear that Hooker Jr. is not done yet. In April, he plans to release his fourth studio album, which he said would be titled All Hooked Up. The album will feature Lucky Peterson, Joe Louis Walker and others.

“We’re just going to have a good time, because I’m all hooked up with my friends,” he says over the phone from Colorado.

In the following interview, the bluesman shines a little light on to his writing process and tells us why riding trains in Europe sparks his creativity.

I was listening to your most recent studio album All Odds Against Me today. I’d read on your website that this was the first time you recorded an album without covering one of your late father’s songs. Was that a difficult decision for you to make?
I mean, you know, it wasn’t a big effort to not do any of his music. I do what I feel, and if I feel that that’s what I want to do, then that’s what I want to do. On a couple CDs, that’s what I felt that I wanted to do–pay tribute to my dad. There are other ways that I pay tribute to him. Some would think that I wanted to stop the critics. “You’re always covering…” I didn’t want to stop the critics; that’s just the way I felt. The next album that will be released in April, that doesn’t have my dad in it either. It’s just how you feel.

I was listening to the first track, “Dear John.” I really love the lyrics to that track.
“Dear John.” Everyone loves to hear “Dear John.”

Is that a crowd favorite when you play it live?
Yeah, we’re playing that every show. People look at the back of those CDs, and they say, “Where’s that Dear John? Where’s that letter your wife wrote you?”

It seems so intensely personal. Is that a song that you really connect with when you’re performing it?
I connect with all my songs, but it’s a crowd attractor. People really listen to that letter, as soon as that band hits, breaks down and it says “Dear John,” people’s ears stretch out, because they really want to hear what she said while he was in jail. “Dear John.” If you don’t say anything else but “Dear John,” you have people being quiet.

Photo by Frank Vigil

You mentioned the album coming out in April. How is that coming along? Have you been working on it while you’re on the road?
It’s coming along well. I have my little tape recorder with me for my ideas, and my scrap paper in my back pocket. I’ve got my songs with me. It’s coming along well. I just brought up another thought for this next song that I’m writing. It’s called, “Leave Your Egos at the Door.” It goes, [singing] “If you want to be in my show, leave your egos at the door.” I’m laying down, so it might sound kind of funny, but that’s the thought I got and I taped it, and I said, here’s my idea. [Singing] “If you want to be in my show, leave your egos at the door.” It’s going to be nice. I’m going to open up this dialogue that you might not like–one that makes you always want to fuss and fight. I got my thoughts going, and that’s all I need to start a song. And that’s how I do it.

It sounds like you write a lot on the road. Is that where you get most of your ideas?
I wrote a Grammy-nominated CD in this city–right here in Lyons and Longmont. I’m about 15 minutes from Lyons, but this is where I wrote a Grammy-nominated CD…

I’m not trying to give the idea that when I’m in Colorado, I’m inspired to write. I’m inspired to write when I’m in Europe on the train. That’s when I’m really inspired–the train.

Can you put into words what inspires you to write when you’re in Europe on the train?
I’m in outer space, in my own outer space. There’s no one there but me. I don’t have any worries of family. I don’t have any worries or concerns of band members or friends, it’s just me and the music. The music is something that’s being translated from one entity into my consciousness, and I just go [laughs].

I’m in my own little space bubble. I really mean that. I’m in my own little space bubble, and everything is locked out. Europeans are very quiet, very quiet. I don’t have any noise. They don’t bother me, and I don’t bother them… I shouldn’t have said “bothered.” Everyone’s just quiet, and I’m just able to do my thing. If I was in America on the train, it would be, “Did you see that game last night? Oh, the Bulls are going to beat them. Oh, the San Francisco 49ers.” And babies crying, “Waaaah,” but not over there. Not over there. So that’s where I do my thing. I wrote another Grammy-nominated CD over in Europe, and that was All Odds Against Me.

John Lee Hooker Jr. will play the Torch Club, which he calls one of his favorite places to play, on March 10, 2012. Go to Torchclub.net for more details. If you’d like to keep abreast on the release of All Hooked Up, tune your browser ito Johnleehookerjr.com.