Interviews - Music Mix Magazine

Interview with Kelli Ali supporting Garbage on the “Beautiful Garbage” tour.
By Caroline Gorman, Music Mix Magazine.

 
What have you been doing in the three years since leaving the “Sneaker Pimps”?
  I have been writing my album, Tigermouth, I studied Japanese and Kung Fu, and I met my producer.
 
Did you go to Japan to study the language and Kung Fu?
  I did go travelling, but not to Japan, I studied Kung Fu in London. I’m originally from Birmingham but I live in London. I had a trainer and he taught me Kung Fu and meditation. Which helps me when I get stressed.
 
Have you found it scary coming back into the public eye, after a long break, and on your own?
  Not exactly scary, it’s a little scary, but I’m mostly excited about it. I mean it’s scary seeing how people would react to you and your music, but the feedback has been good so far.
 
Do you think fans from you days in the “Sneaker Pimps” will appreciate your solo music?
  Oh I don’t know, I hope so. Its like, I love writing, and I have strong ideas and opinions on things, which is part of why I’m no longer with the “Sneaker Pimps”. My own style is very different from the “Sneaker Pimps” stuff, I take my influences from different things, but other people seem to like my music, so hopefully old “Sneaker Pimps” fans will too.
 
“Tigermouth” refers to a strength point in the hand, what made you use it as an album name?
  Yeah it’s there (points between her thumb and index finger). It’s not just about strength; it’s about spirit too. When I was writing for the album, I remembered it fro meditation. I just thought it was pretty cool, you know? So it stayed in my mind until I could use it. And my Chinese star sign is a tiger, so you know.
 
Why did you choose to record in LA, and do you feel it was the right decision?
  Oh yeah, I mean I have come away with an album I’m really pleased with and proud of. I went to LA because that’s where Rick Knowles works (her producer) so I had to kind of go there to work with him. But the sun and relaxed way of life there helped with my writing. It was really good.
 
What’s it like being on tour with “Garbage”, and is it true they personally asked you to support them?
It’s great I’m having a great time. Shirley heard my album and contacted me to say she really liked it, which was fantastic, I was so pleased. Then she got back to me to see if I was free to tour with them, and I was like “yes! Of course!”.
 
I read that you are half Irish, half Indian, do you have characteristics from both cultures?
  Well my granddad is Indian, my mum is English and my father is Irish. So I have quite a mix! I don’t have strong characteristics from all the cultures, but I do have respect for each one, I can appreciate them all separately. I find when I tour or I travel I’m accepted by lots of different groups, you know? When I’m in Spain people think I’m Spanish, when I’m in Mexico, people think I’m Mexican, it’s because I’m quite olive skinned so people get confused, then are surprised by my accent as soon as I open my mouth. 
 
What were your favourite subjects at school, and did you go to College or University?
  I was really bad at school, I never really went. I did go to college in Birmingham, when I was 19, I did Photography. But then the “Sneaker Pimps” came along and photography went out the window.
 
What was the first record you remember buying?
  Oh, that one that went (begins to sing) “Oh baby, you know what that’s worth, mm heaven is a place on earth”. (“Heaven is a place on Earth”, Belinda Carlisle) That is really old isn’t it? You know what? The producer I work with now, worked with them when they were around. That’s pretty weird isn’t it?
 
What do you feel is the worst part about being on tour?
  To be honest I love it. You travel, see places, it’s so exciting. I mean it can be tiring with moving about all the time, but it’s really good fun. You have lots of people around you, everyone say’s the worst thing is tour bus toilets, which is true. But I love travelling and flying.
 
What’s next for you after the release of “Tigermouth”?
  I don’t really know, I don’t plan very far ahead. I might get to do my own tour, maybe. We’ll need to see, but I would love that. And of course, more writing. But right now I’m just concentrating on the ”Garbage” tour and promoting my album.