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Allie X

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Allie X
Allie X at the SOCAN Canada's Day Family and Friends Bash on 7 July 2015
Background information
Birth nameAlexandra Ashley Hughes[1]
Born (1985-07-31) 31 July 1985 (age 39)[2][3]
Oakville, Ontario, Canada [4]
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer, actress, model
InstrumentsVocals, piano
LabelsTwin Music Inc.
Websitewww.alliex.com

Alexandra Ashley Hughes (born 31 July 1985), known by her stage name Allie X, is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Born in Oakville, Ontario, and later living in Toronto, she grew up with an interest in classical piano, opera and musical theatre.[4][5] She started her career as an indie pop artist in Toronto in the mid-2000s, playing with local bands and writing and recording a handful of self-released albums.[5][6]

In 2013, Hughes moved to Los Angeles, California, to start a career as a full-time songwriter. She continued working on her own music, adopting the stage name Allie X and meeting with numerous musicians and producers, eventually working with producers Cirkut and Billboard.[6][7]

Hughes achieved a degree of success following the release of her first single under the name Allie X, "Catch". "Catch" charted on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 55.[8] The song received praise from Time Magazine,[9] as well as fellow singer-songwriter Katy Perry, who called it her "spring jam".[7][10] Following "Catch", Hughes released her debut EP, CollXtion I, in 2015. Her debut studio album, CollXtion II, was released on 9 June 2017.

Life and career

1985–2006: Early life

Alexandra Ashley Hughes was born on 31 July 1985 in Oakville, Ontario.[4] Her family is of British descent.[11] She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts. Hughes then studied classical piano and voice at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and graduated from Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance program, and also studied musical theatre.[12][13][14][6]

2006–2012: Career beginnings

Hughes first started her career under the stage name Allie Hughes in Toronto around 2006, performing indie pop, indie rock, jazz and electronic music.[6] She released her very first album, Waiting for the Prize, in CD format the same year.[15] She then proceeded to two further releases, including her second album Ladies and Gentlemen in 2009[16] and an extended play, titled Allie Hughes in 2010.[17] Shortly before her move to Los Angeles, she released another EP under the name Allie X Andra.[18] All of her first work was only released in CD format and not widely distributed.

In 2008, she took part in CBC Television's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, the Canadian version based on the series with the same name which aired in the United Kingdom on BBC One in 2006. She performed "My Favourite Things" from The Sound of Music and "It's Oh So Quiet" by Björk,[12] but was eliminated from the show after two weeks. Her acting credits from the time also include other Canadian movies and television programmes, such as Triple Sensation, The Boys in the Photograph, King, Being Erica and Instant Star, and her music was featured in Rookie Blue, Saving Hope and Love Me.[13][14]

2013–2015: CollXtion I

In July 2013, Hughes decided to make the move to Los Angeles,[19] in order to pursue a full-time career as a songwriter. Despite this, she didn't stop working on her solo material.[6] She hadn't been satisfied with her sound, and spent time learning about sound design and production.[20] She adopted the stage name Allie X and began working with producers Cirkut and Billboard, whom she had met during her time in Los Angeles.[6][7]

In early 2014, Hughes released her debut single under the Allie X name, titled "Catch". Upon release, "Catch" received praise from multiple sources: DIY Magazine's Jamie Milton said that "Allie X stepped on the scene like a bottle of wine at a wedding – everyone wanted a piece of her."[21] and Jamieson Cox from Time Magazine said the track "shines with a level of polish and craft that's remarkable," and complemented Hughes' "attention to detail."[9] Fellow singer-songwriter Katy Perry also praised the track on Twitter, calling it her "spring jam".[7][10] "Catch" also charted on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 55 on the chart.[8] "Catch" went on to be re-released as an EP in November 2015, featuring additional tracks.[22]

Prior to the release of Hughes' debut extended play, CollXtion I, two further singles, "Prime" and "Bitch", were put out by the singer on 18 March and 6 April 2014 respectively. CollXtion I was then released a year later, on 7 April 2015 in Canada,[23] with the worldwide release being pushed back to 21 April.[24] The EP was also well received, with Edmonton Journal's Julia LeConte calling it, "a smartly written seven-song EP that offers up a smorgasboard of indelible hooks," and goes on to say Hughes' song creating ability matches her "spectacular" voice.[25] She also held a small North American tour in 2015.[26]

Besides working on solo music, in 2014 and 2015, Hughes also contributed to Australian singer Troye Sivan's album Blue Neighbourhood, co-writing a total of seven tracks, including two of the album's three singles, "Talk Me Down" and "Youth".[27] Together with this, she supported Troye Sivan on his 2016 tour's North American leg.[28]

Hughes was one of four musicians to receive the Canadian Film Centre Slaight Music Residency Showcase in 2013.[13][29]

2016–2017: CollXtion II

Despite having released albums and EPs in the past, Hughes had yet to release a studio album under the Allie X name. In February 2016, Hughes released a free-to-download song called "Old Habits Die Hard", which was originally meant to serve as a non-album single.[30] On 13 May 2016, Hughes released another song called "Too Much to Dream"[31][32] and announced a project called CollXtion II: Ʉnsolved, which saw her release a collection of demos and songs on Spotify over the course of the summer, in order to shortlist the songs her fans wanted to see on CollXtion II.[33][34] This project ended on 6 November 2016, with Hughes saying no new music would be released until the album is out.[35]

CollXtion II began to be teased by Hughes in February 2017, with it being officially announced for a 9 June release date on 23 February.[36] On 28 April 2017, Hughes released "Paper Love" as the first single from the upcoming album.[37][38] "Need You" was released on 26 May 2017.

2018–present: Super Sunset

On 1 June 2018, Hughes released "Focus" as the first single from her then-untitled second studio album,[39] followed by the release of the second single "Not so Bad in LA" on 13 July.[40] The following Monday, Hughes announced her second studio album, Super Sunset, to be released in the upcoming fall, alongside with a four date promotional tour called "The Super Sunset Xperience".[41]

Artistry

Hughes cites many of her influences as being ABBA, Arthur Russell,[42] Björk,[43][44] Kate Bush,[43] Lady Gaga,[45] Céline Dion, Cyndi Lauper,[46] Mariah Carey, Mark Mothersbaugh, Tom Petty, and author Haruki Murakami.[47] She also explains that the X in her name represents the unknown variable in algebra,[20][48] saying: "In mathematics, X is any possible variable. It's an unknown quantity. Once it's solved, it's no longer X. With that in mind, X is the identity that I take on as I go through my journey of self-discovery. It's these questions that I'm trying to grapple with in the public sphere. If I ever find that piece that I'm after or solve the equation, as it were, then I will no longer be Allie X."[49]

Hughes has the vocal range of a soprano,[50] with her music having drawn frequent comparisons to British singer Ellie Goulding's,[6][48] but also that of Chvrches and The Knife.[6] Hughes describes her melodies as being "soaring pop, borderline theatrical Disney", while her lyrics, "always seem to be darker." She compares songwriting to a science experiment in which you put two people's brains together for a few hours and see what they can come up with.[20]

Public image

Hughes has frequently voiced her support for women's rights[51] and LGBT rights,[52][53] noting "I have a lot of young fans, and a lot of LGBT fans. After meeting and hugging so many of them, I often picture them when I write now, and I try to send my support".[54]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album
2017 CollXtion II
  • Released: June 9, 2017 (Worldwide)
  • Label: Twin Music

Extended plays

Year Album
2015 CollXtion I
Catch EP
  • Released: November 20, 2015 (USA)
  • Label: Twin Music
2017 COLLXTION II: Unsolved
  • Released: March 15, 2017 (Out of print)
  • Label: Twin Music
2018 Super Sunset
  • Released: October 29, 2018
  • Label: Allie X Canada

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
CAN
[8] 		CAN
CHR
[55]
2014 "Catch" 55 17 CollXtion I
"Prime" — —
"Bitch" — —
2015 "Catch (re-release)" — — Catch EP
"Never Enough" — —
2016 "Old Habits Die Hard" — — COLLXTION II: Unsolved
"Too Much to Dream" — —
"All the Rage" — —
"That's So Us" — —
2017 "Paper Love" — 21 CollXtion II
"Need You" (feat. Valley Girl) — —
"Casanova" (feat. VÉRITÉ) — 44 non-album single
2018 "Focus" — — Super Sunset
"Not So Bad in LA" — —
"Science"[56] — —
"Little Things" — —

Music videos

Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"Bitch" 2014 Jungle George [57][58]
"Catch" 2015 Jérémie Saindon [59][58]
"Sanctuary" (Live) Unknown [60]
"Too Much to Dream" 2016 Jungle George [61][58]
"All the Rage" (Live) [62]
"Casanova" (Live) [63]
"All the Rage" Jungle George
Maluko Haus 		[64][58]
"Old Habits Die Hard" (Live) Taylor Heres [65]
"That's So Us" (Live) Unknown [66]
"Too Much To Dream" (Live) [67]
"Paper Love" 2017 Renata Raksha [68]
"Casanova" (feat. Vérité) India Sleem [69]
"Not So Bad In LA" 2018 Unknown [70]

Songwriting credits

Year Artist Title Album
2015 Troye Sivan "Bite" Wild EP
"Talk Me Down" Blue Neighbourhood
"Youth"
"Lost Boy"
"For Him."
"Suburbia"
"Swimming Pools"
2017 Seohyun "Moonlight" Don't Say No
Lea Michele "Heavy Love" Places
Jaira Burns "Ugly" Non-album single
B.A.P "Think Hole" Ego
2018 Troye Sivan "Seventeen" Bloom
"The Good Side"
"Plum"
"What a Heavenly Way to Die"
"Animal"

References

  1. ^ "Allie Hughes Valentines Wedding Spectacular". Sticky Magazine. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Nee Sous X". La Presse. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (30 July 2011). "I just remembered its my birthday on Sunday. Oyyyy" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b c "Allie Hughes May Be The Next Maria". Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Allie X (Canadian Film Centre)". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Allie X – Biography & History – AllMusic". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Lipshutz, Jason. "Who Is Allie X? 'Catch' Singer Talks Katy Perry Shout-Out, Her Pop Takeover Plan". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Allie X (chart listing)". billboard.com. November 11, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Cox, Jamieson. "Allie X's "Catch" Is a Perfect Pop Gem". Time Magazine. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  10. ^ a b KATY PERRY [@katyperry] (6 March 2014). "Currently I'm obsessed with this song CATCH by Allie X" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Allie X Will Make Your Head Spin In This Kaleidoscopic Shoot Exclusively for Fault Online". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Dream Machine – Allie X". Archived from the original on 2017-05-27. Retrieved 24 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b c "CFC announces participants for slaight music residency". cfccreates.com. Canadian Film Centre. March 18, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "LyricCanada 2010 National Conference" (PDF). Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  15. ^ "Allie Hughes – Waiting For The Prize (CD, Album) at Discogs". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Allie Hughes – Ladies and Gentlemen (CD, Album) at Discogs". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  17. ^ "Allie Hughes – Allie Hughes (CD, EP) at Discogs". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  18. ^ "Allie Hughes – Allie X Andra (CD, EP) at Discogs". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  19. ^ "Allie X – Biography". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c "Allie X explores her 'shadow self' in her dark radio-ready pop" (Interview). Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  21. ^ "Allie X Shares New Track" (Interview). Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  22. ^ "Catch – EP by Allie X on iTunes". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  23. ^ "Allie X's Journey To Dimension X: Idolator Interview". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  24. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (11 April 2015). "Despite their efforts to stop me, CollXTion I has been retrieved, and will be released worldwide officially on April 21st" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: |date= / |number= mismatch (help)
  25. ^ "Julia LeConte of Edmonton Journal reviews CollXtion I". Archived from the original on 2015-04-13. Retrieved 24 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Allie X will embark on her first ever U.S. tour". AXS. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  27. ^ Wass, Mike (September 9, 2015). "Allie X On The Warm Reception Of 'CollXtion I,' Co-Writing Troye Sivan's "Bite" & Part II: Idolator Interview". Idolator.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  28. ^ "Troye Sivan Snags Shamir, Allie X & LANY for 2016 Tour". Fuse. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  29. ^ Friend, David. "International Star You Should Know: Allie X". Variety. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  30. ^ Daw, Robbie. "Allie X Offers "Old Habits Die Hard" As Free Download: Listen To The New Synth-Pop Song". Idolator. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  31. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (May 12, 2016). "DEAR X's: TOO MUCH TO DREAM will be released worldwide tomorrow" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (May 14, 2016). "X's the first track from #CLXIIɄ – Too Much To Dream is out now!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (May 13, 2016). "COLLXTION II is ɄNSOLVED" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (May 14, 2016). "COLLXTION II is Ʉ so I'm not sure at this point. Maybe you can help me make that decision?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Allie X. "Unsolved Final Announcement". Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  36. ^ "CollXtion II by Allie X on Apple Music". Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  37. ^ Moran, Justin. "Allie X Gets Ripped Apart on 'Paper Love'". Out Magazine. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  38. ^ Stone, Avery. "Allie X Is a Sucker for the Sweet Sting on "Paper Love"". Noisey. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  39. ^ Crowley, Patrick. "Allie X Talks 'Apocalyptic' New Single, Writing With Troye Sivan & Her Connection to the LGBTQ Community". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  40. ^ Nied, Mike. "Allie X's "Not So Bad In LA" Is A Dark Pop Masterpiece". Idolator. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  41. ^ "ALLIE X Announces New Body Of Work, SUPER SUNSET, For Fall 2018". Broadway World. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  42. ^ Mirrorcle, Michael. "Interview: Grim Pop Maven Allie X talks Tumors, Dating Advice & the letter X". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  43. ^ a b "Interview: 2016 Must-Know – Allie X". Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  44. ^ Agafonov, Mikhael. "10 Things You Should Know About Allie X". Myspace. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  45. ^ St. Amand, Jason. "Allie X Puts the 'X' in Your Music #Xperience". Edge Media Network. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  46. ^ Russell, Erica. "Exclusive: the unknown variable that is Allie X". Milk XYZ. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  47. ^ Danton, Eric R. (April 14, 2015). "Wall Street Journal on CollXtion I". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  48. ^ a b Euse, Erica. "Allie X: all eyes on me". No Tofu Magazine. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  49. ^ Harding, Michael-Oliver. "Allie X Is Your Friendly Neighborhood Dark-Popstar". Noisey. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  50. ^ Studarus, Laura (1 September 2015). "Slick Songstress Allie X Mystifies with 'CollXtion'". Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  51. ^ Graves, Shahlin. "Interview: Allie X on #Xpression and 'CollXtion II'". Coup De Main. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  52. ^ Petkus, Shelby Clark. "Allie X Marks The Spot". PrideSource. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  53. ^ Baker, Bill. "In Conversation with Allie X". HISKIND Magazine. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  54. ^ Dunn, Francesca. "Allie X is our sweet-sounding candy crush". i-D. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  55. ^ "Allie X (chart listing)". billboard.com. November 11, 2015.
  56. ^ Bote, Joshua (August 17, 2018). "Allie X Goes for a Night Drive on Sensual 'Science': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  57. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (7 July 2014). "Exclusive Video Premiere and Interview: 'Bitch,' Allie X". Interview. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  58. ^ a b c d Kaplan, Ilana. "Allie X – IMVDb". IMDb. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  59. ^ Nika, Colleen. "Watch Allie X find unknown pleasures in 'Catch'". Dazed. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  60. ^ "Sanctuary (Live)" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 9 December 2015 – via Youtube.
  61. ^ Ccantalini, Chris (16 May 2016). "Watch Allie X – Too Much to Dream". gorillavsbear.net. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  62. ^ Baxter, Richard (19 June 2016). "First Listen: Allie X – 'All The Rage'". popologynow.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-28. Retrieved 27 February 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  63. ^ "Casanova (Live)" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 11 August 2016 – via Youtube.
  64. ^ Baxter, Richard (29 August 2016). "Allie X: "Casanova" (Video Premiere)". popologynow.com. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  65. ^ "Old Habits Die Hard (Live)" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 7 September 2016 – via Youtube.
  66. ^ "That's So Us (Live)" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 26 September 2016 – via Youtube.
  67. ^ "Too Much To Dream (Live)" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 22 November 2016 – via Youtube.
  68. ^ "Paper Love" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 9 August 2017 – via Youtube.
  69. ^ "Casanova" by Allie X featuring Vérité. Twin Music Inc. 28 December 2017 – via Youtube.
  70. ^ "Not So Bad In LA" by Allie X. Twin Music Inc. 9 August 2018 – via Youtube.
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