Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Ally Ahern

Ally Ahern is one of music’s most exciting triple threats. The multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter is taking over the industry with her edgy sound and keen ear for melodies and storytelling. Pop Culturalist recently sat down with Ally to chat about her brand new single, “Bad for Me”.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Ally: Drumming! In fifth grade, my parents let me start drum lessons. At the time, I was legit the nerd of my grade. I was an actual zit, but hitting things with a stick made me feel like a bad b*tch, and it bloomed from there. I always had music in my life growing up, but that was when I realized music is my thing.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Ally: Radiohead. I’ve been obsessed with them since I was twelve. Also, Kimbra! I actually met her three times, with two of those being recently. When I met her the first time, I was so starstruck. I just said, “Hi, I’m in love with you.” She probably thinks I’m really weird. [laughs]

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Ally: There are gonna be a lot of people who don’t believe in you and a lot of people that hope you fail, so you have to generate all the motivation from within yourself. You have to be ready to do it mostly alone.

PC: Tell us about your single, “Bad for Me”. What inspired the track?
Ally: I wrote “Bad for Me” a couple years back, and it was something my mom said to me. She had just met my, at the time, boyfriend, and it was hate at first sight. So she told me, “I think he’s really bad for you.” My mom has a way of catching vibes on people while I’m over here seeing only the best, even if their best is 2%.

PC: You recently released a music video for the song. How did you come up with the concept for the video?
Ally: To be honest, “Bad for Me” was written in a completely different era of my life. When I made the video, I was having trouble connecting with it. I felt the song more in color and mood rather than a story. Instead of pushing myself to come up with some complicated concept that felt forced, I thought, “I’m going for it—I’m gonna go in a cage and I’m gonna be tied to a chair and dance around.”

PC: We heard you’ve been working hard on some new singles and possibly an EP. What can you tease about those projects?
Ally: I’m talking about and admitting some things in a couple of my new songs that I never thought I’d be able to talk about to even my close friends, nevertheless put out to the whole f*cking internet. It’s to the point where it’s hard for me to sit in a room with someone when they listen to these new songs. That’s exactly what makes them worth releasing, though!

PC: What is your creative process like? Has it changed over the years?
Ally: My creative process started from a very organic and strictly feeling-based place. I would roll around in my feelings for hours and something would either flow out of that or not. Then, I went to Berklee for songwriting and started co-writing a lot in LA.

Writing started to become more mechanical and mathematical to me; it was a puzzle and I was just looking for the next piece ASAP. I would still reference my own life—some of the times—some of the times not. I got to a place where I was confident enough about writing songs on the spot that I felt I could do it anywhere, with any time limit. But, I don’t think that is a super healthy way to write, so now I’m learning how to find a happy medium between the two.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ally: I don’t feel guilty, but I love Our Planet! Whenever some baby animal can’t find water, I always cry like a baby, though.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ally: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

PC: Favorite book?
Ally: Anything by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ally: Guys and Dolls! I played Miss Adelaide, so I have a soft spot for that show.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ally: Everything by Nirvana and some random metal sh*t like Glassjaw. That’s what I grew up on.

PC: First album you bought?
Ally: Coldplay’s X&Y, but if we are talking vinyl I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning by Bright Eyes.

PC: First concert you attended?
Ally: Coldplay

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Ally: Melodrama by Lorde. If you’ve listened to it, you will get why it’s life-changing.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Ally: House of Blues Chicago

To keep up with Ally, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Bad for Me” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.