We are chatting today with the amazing and talented recording artist Ally Bakst- welcome! Let’s start off strong – what drives you to create music?
Hey, thanks for having me! Something inside of me has always compelled me to create music and art. I think music in particular has always been an outlet of expression for all of the things I don’t know how to share otherwise. I’ll often write music and have no clue where it came from or how I did it—something takes over me and I just can’t help myself. I also feel as though creating music satisfies this strange part of me that knows exactly what sounds right and wrong. Even though music is a completely subjective thing, certain chord progressions, melodic lines, and harmonies feel the most satisfying for me to create and hear. I absolutely love making music.
We are so obsessed with your voice – what inspires your Sound?
You’re so sweet!!! Thank you so much. I’ve always had a deeper voice than most women, and for a long time I thought that was a bad thing. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that the deepness and raspiness of my voice is actually quite special and is something I should utilize. Tracy Chapman made me realize how cool lower female voices can be. In this sense, my voice is definitely the driving force of my sound. I often use harmonies to create a space for the lead vocal to live in, and then add synths, guitar, and other details to continue building the atmosphere. I also grew up listening to classic rock and alternative music, so there are bits of that within my music, especially some of the new stuff.
What is your songwriting process like? Do you work with others or is it a solo endeavor?
It really depends on the song, but I always start songs by myself. I’ll find myself humming a random melody that pops into my head, sitting at my piano playing around with different ideas, or using logic pro on my computer to start pulling a song concept together. Once I feel as though I have a solid idea that’s authentic to me, I’ll bring it to my brothers or producer to start building it out more. Then from there, we’ll finalize the arrangement and bring it to the studio where we’ll record vocals and add final details. I love collaborating, but I tend to be a bit picky when it comes to who I enjoy working with. My producer Mark Vogel is an absolute genius, and he is able to understand my mind and musical abilities in a way that no one ever has before. My brothers and I grew up listening to music together and naturally started making stuff because it just felt right. I’ve been working with my oldest brother a lot recently and am excited to share what we’ve been making soon!
You have a brand new song out – tell us more about it.
Yea! STFU is such a special song to me, and I can’t wait for everyone reading to hear it. I actually wrote it many years ago during covid when I felt like bad things were happening to good people and all people could say was, “everything happens for a reason.” All I wanted to say was, “STFU.” I believe some things happen for a reason, but I also believe in chaos and tragedy just being inexplicable. It often feels like some people think they know how everything works, or convince themselves they do to feel better, when in reality there might be no explanation for things. In the song I write, “The power that you crave is the thing that devours from the inside. Nothing left to save, can’t you see all the bones by the wayside.” I think this line is about how biased beliefs and power can change or ruin a person. I can’t stand it when people believe they’re above other people and seem to think they’re omnipotent. Sometimes it’s okay not to have all the answers.
Thanks for chatting with us today Ally! Where can our readers find you online?
Thanks for having me! I’m @allybakst on Tik Tok and Instagram, and my music is out on all platforms under Ally Bakst. Thanks for reading and listening to STFU!
End of Interview