The local music scene has plenty of up and rising singer-songwriters, but there’s something about Aalex’s raspy tone and soothing delivery that captivates you to know more about the story she carries.
Witty in person but lyrically vulnerable, the cancer survivor turn singer opens up to Sevenpie about her journey. As part of Friends of Sevenpie, we got to have a little chat with Aalex.
So Aalex, introduce yourself to the Sevenpie community!
Hello! I’m Aalex, singer/songwriter, also currently pursuing my degree in international business and marketing in Taylor’s University. I turn 23 in August, asleep most of the time and when awake, hungry all the time.
What brings you to music?
Music’s always been a part of the family. My dad had this dream of turning us four children into an Asian knock-off of The Corrs, so I grew up knowing that learning a musical instrument was a big part of the Termizi Household Curriculum.
Along came cancer at 15, and I needed music more than it needed me. In every hospital ward I was admitted to, the radio was a loyal companion. I would bring my guitar during chemotherapy sessions and just play. Wherever there was music, that’s where my safe space would be.
Fast forward to 8 years, and I’m showing gratitude to something that has never left my side. It’s my ode, to music itself.
Also, Norah Jones. Self-explanatory.
We heard that you have a diploma in culinary, what are some of the things you learned from the course that you can also apply into real-life?
To be more disciplined, and to be consistent in everything I do, which to be honest, I am flailing. Jokes aside, culinary has taught me that passion is as important as skill, and if you don’t have it, no matter how skillful you are, you’re still missing out.
Also, I can peel a potato faster than my friends. I think.
So, what are some of your favourite food?
I’ve had the longest problem of deciding whether I enjoy Japanese or Thai cuisine more, so let’s just go with both. A close third would exclusively be the pepperoni on a stick that those lok-lok trucks sell.
As a singer-songwriter, share with us what the creative process is like.
To be honest with you, I have never been consistent with my songwriting. I could go from writing two songs a night, to writing two songs a year. It just depends on how emotional I am, but I 100% only write my songs at night, because the sun dries out the creative juices. Also, the sadder the lyrics, the faster my songs are. That’s probably me compensating for making you listen to how emotional I can get although to be fair, the slow songs are equally as sad too, so let’s just forget I mentioned that.
Life is too short….
To pretend to be straight.
Out of all your shows, what was your most memorable one?
It was definitely my first featured night at Merdekarya, May last year. I co-featured the show with another friend of mine, Tasha Aleia, and the crowd was so lit they basically looked bedazzled from where I was sitting on stage. They knew the songs, all the words, and they were singing along unapologetically louder than me, it was fantastic.
Recommend us musicians you think we should all know about!
Norah Jones, John Mayer, Lianne La Havas, Aalex Termizi..
How do you know when a song is ready to be released?
I guess you kinda just know when you know, you know? It’s that feeling of “I think this song will annoy people the least, so let’s go with this one”, or “I like this one so too bad everybody’s gotta listen to it”. It’s a fine line.
You are a firm believer of?
A young Marlon Brando.
