Get to Know Alison Wonderland, Australia’s Fast-Rising Electro Star

Alison Wonderland could not have had a bigger North American debut. While most overseas artists toil away in small clubs or opening for larger acts before garnering stateside recognition, the Australian producer and singer faced her first U.S. crowd at Coachella. It was the culmination of swift rise in the Land Down Under, that began when the classically trained Wonderland, whose real name is Ali Scholler, started throwing epic warehouse parties in Australia that featured her brand of gigantic, shockwave EDM.  

As a solo artist now signed to Astralwerks, Scholler released her debut album, Run, last March, which came armed with her breakout single, "I Want U," the perfect introduction to her brand of maximalist electro crushers softened by her feminine vocals. Scholler, who's collaborated with Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, just released the video for her album's title track, which you can watch below. 

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I like oversized t-shirts. I don’t really like to define my aesthetic, I just wear what I like, I don’t think about it too much, but I definitely have a very large vintage t-shirt collection. 

How did your career get started?

Organically is the word that comes to mind for me. This is more of a passion than a career. I've always just created music  because it is something which makes me happy. I think that is the only way to have longevity in the arts.

Where do you hope to be professionally in 5 years?

If I knew that I would be a genius fortune teller. I don’t want to preempt where I am going to be in five years, that would be a mistake.  A year ago, I would have never thought I would have played Coachella, be signed to Astralwerks, and have a finished album.  

What’s your next project?

I don’t know yet. I just want to continue to make music and play shows and see where that takes me. 

What are you most proud of so far in terms of your career?

Releasing a full-length record, debuting in America at Coachella, throwing 5000 warehouse parties around Australia, signing with Astralwerks, EMI, and Virgin, and never comprimising myself. Everything I do I put all of myself in, down to the very last detail.

What famous person dead or living do most wish you could have as a roommate?

Bill Murray or David Attenborough.

Whose career would you most like to emulate?

The day I try and copy someone else is the day I am doing it wrong.

If you had to live in a past time, what do you think would be the most fun era and why?

History really fascinates me. I would love to visit so many different eras. But I definitely think the '60s would have been pretty fun. 

How do you wind down before bed?

I don’t, I never sleep. 

What kind of person were you in high school?

A drok with no friends.

Can you tell me a quality about yourself that you are genuinely proud of?

I am really good at remembering long sequences of numbers.

Do you have any phobias?

Birds, puppets, and ghosts. 

What are some new hobbies you would like to take on?

I want to try pottery.

How do you hope to grow as a creative person?

Experience as many things as I can.

If there was a phrase that you think best sums up your approach to life what might it be?

Let your art speak for you.

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