ALISUN
Alisun (Alison Solis) is a Mexican-Cuban artist and just premiered “Around the World” this past summer, making it her third recorded single. She has previously joined international tours, including heading on the road with pop-rock band Camila, where she shared her love of music and the stage with the US and Latin America. Alisun released her debut EP, ‘Mundieo,’ on January 23rd , which is viewed as both a love letter to our earth and a signal for us to take action in protecting it.
As a vegan and environmentalist who wishes to encourage people worldwide to love both our fellow man and our planet, ‘Mundieo’ (translating to ‘The World’ in English) captures the heart & soul of the artist as well as her passion for creating music that seeks to inspire and ignite change.
Top by Silvana Tedesco
Pants by Julia Allert Brand
Hat by Gladys Tamez Millinery
Heels by Z A S H A D U
Tell us about your album Mundieo.
Mundieo is my journey of self-belief. This project allowed me to start believing in myself as an artist with messages that resonated with me most during its birth. I like creating individual experiences throughout my sound so that songs don’t sound alike; this was a big part of my goal sonically.
What are the inspirations and messages behind the songs on the new album
“Hypothermia” was my first trance-written song. The story played out in my mind that later relayed the message of what it wanted me to say; although the song has nothing to do with the name, it’s a respect to the vision. “Mundieo” is a song that speaks of our relationship with our dear Mother Earth and how we need to be there for her; the words ‘Mundieo Amieo’ mean goddess earth, I’m here, I love you, I’m acting on the change. “Around the World’ is a song for the generations to come to give the kids a voice and memory of their heart songs, standing up together for a livable future for them. “They Live in and Around Us” talks about the magic inside of everything around and within ourselves. “My Fire” is a song about forbidden love. I always imagined it being an Angel and demon falling in love representing duality and the temptation of engaging with things we know will eventually hurt us.
What is your creative process?
Each song has its style of coming through for me, but for this album, I feel like they all existed somewhere and just manifested themselves through me. I always write the music first, and the melody later tells me what it wants to say.
Left:
Coat by Julia Allert Brand
Earrings by Amorcito Jewelry
Boots by Akira
Beanie by Charles and Ron
Right:
Dress by Sarah Regensburger
Pant Boots by Akira
Sunglasses by ZeroUV
Earrings by Pave the Way Jewelry
Why did you become Vegan? Does that impact your music writing?
Absolutely. I was a vegetarian for four years, and I started having some health issues I later realized were caused by the little dairy from pastries I consume. Sugar and certain types of oil I still had in my diet, I had to adjust and completely reset my body; I learned about the environmental impact it has on the Amazon and how so many species are in danger because of animal agriculture. After rewatching Farm to Fridge, it reset my strength to do it because I couldn’t finish the video the first time and just became vegetarian to start! My consciousness has cleared up immensely after not having any frequencies of torture and suffering in my system; it will be reflected more in my music as time goes on it’s given me a newfound creativity.
What is the most pressing environmental issue currently? How does the environment impact your new record?
There are many pressing environmental issues; the top ones in my life that I’m addressing and acting on is the fast fashion industry, the animal agriculture industry, and trying to be as close to zero waste as possible. There are the issues of oil drilling like the ‘Willow Project’ that Biden just passed, despite millions signing petitions against it, alongside animal agriculture on land; overfishing in the world is one of the worst things happening to our planet right now. It impacts my record because it is what everything ties into at the end of the day. The animals are sacred and have a magic of their own, land, trees, the winged brothers here sharing this space (“They Live in and Around Us”) (“Mundieo”). We are not separate from orangutans getting killed for palm oil or any being that we contribute to harsher realities. All of this ties into the future of the next generations, the world they’ll have to pick up after OR be able to thrive in if we fix it and hear their pleas (“Around the World”). All of it is a reflection of us, and that’s why my first song encourages people to look within (“Hypothermia”) and see the truth more clearly/freely.
Left:
Top by Silvana Tedesco
Pants by Julia Allert Brand
Hat by Gladys Tamez Millinery
Right:
Set by BLVCK
Top by PRITCH
Pant Boots by Akira
What first got you into music?
I’ve always loved music; I think it’s a natural human instinct to gravitate toward it. Growing up in a musical family, I think it’s just the natural result.
Who inspired you to make music?
Many people, Marco Antonio Solis, James Horner, Hans Zimmer, and Yann Tiersen have been great inspirations on my journey of creation.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
The debut of my EP at the Grammy Museum was my best performance.
What is your favorite song to perform?
Probably “Hypothermia”.
Coat by Julia Allert Brand
Earrings by Amorcito Jewelry
Boots by Akira
Beanie by Charles and Ron
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would make it about quality rather than commerciality and invest in artists who have a message and lovely sound above whatever is catchy at the moment, a little more to focus on what we’re allowing the next generations to receive as ear and mind food.
What’s next for you?
To continue to create and work on my next project! So thankful for everyone who has supported my art this far.
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Sequoia Emmanuelle
Talent: ALISUN
Fashion Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen
Hair: René Maldonado Cortez
Makeup: Tatiyana Elias
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief:, PhotoBook Magazine
SHOP THE LOOK FOR LESS: ALISUN
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