01Profile
A Tia Alie Photo
Tia Alie
Musician — Manchester
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Tia Alie, Manchester.
Talk us through your own musical journey…
Music has been a big part of my life since I was young. My dad has like a thousand vinyls and I remember this one room in the house being full of them. I’ve wanted to sing and make my own music since then, I’m still experimenting with my sound and I'm having fun which is the most important thing.
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘Manchester’ and ‘Music’?
Self-expression.
What part has Manchester played in your own musical journey?
Over the few years that I've been here, I’ve met some really cool people. I released my first proper song ‘Bedsheets’ with Manchester-based producer ‘MATTU’ a couple of years ago, I performed live for the first time in my life at an event called BeeLive and then at my close friend Aimee’s event for Destructive Black Creatives at Hatch. I've also been played on BBCRadio1 Introducing Manchester a few times which was really weird but cool. So Manchester has played a huge part in my musical journey.
Why do you think Manchester has produced and inspired so many amazing musicians?
The people here are really cool, I love walking the streets in the Northern Quarter and just seeing people being unapologetically themselves. Before the virus, there were loads of events on all the time and it brought people together - we’re really missing that.
Tell us about your favourite ever gig in Manchester?
Favourite gig I did personally was at Hatch for DBC (as mentioned above). My best friend hosted a creative event with live musicians, art, photography and dancing to celebrate black creatives. It was a really beautiful time.
How important do you think the Northern Quarter is in terms of Manchester’s musical scene?
I think it's super important, it's a creative hub with loads of history.
Where’s the best place to discover new music in the NQ?
Piccadilly Records for physical albums and Off The Square for live music (I don't get out much lol).
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Closer' by Ne-Yo. I vividly remember only having two songs on my tiny brick phone when I was a kid and I listened to this non-stop in my garden of an evening whilst dancing around.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Maybe 'Helena Beat' by Foster The People or any track off ’The 1975’ album for nostalgia reasons.
One record you would keep forever?
I never buy a record that I wouldn’t keep forever but if I had to pick, probably 'MTV Unplugged in New York' by Nirvana.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"The room is on fire and she's fixing her hair"
From 'Reptilia' by The Strokes. I strive to be that cool and carefree one day.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Siren' by Shygirl.
A song you wished you had written?
'Something About Us' by Daft Punk. So much emotion in such simple lyrics.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Euphoria' by Merge! Ft Yameii Online (when the beat drops at 1:11, insane).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I genuinely don't think I can surprise people when it comes to this because I listen to all sorts… maybe 'Goodbye Horses' by Q Lazzarus, absolute banger makes me want to be on a mountain with the wind whipping through my hair in slow motion.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Hong Kong 2046' by Hong Kong Express super chill and feels like you’re in a futuristic game walking through the city streets at night with an AI earpiece talking to you.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
I'm listening to my own a lot, I'm working on new stuff I'm excited about. It's very different to what I have out right now, I'm having fun recording them and I can't wait to share them.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Tia Alie, Manchester.
Talk us through your own musical journey…
Music has been a big part of my life since I was young. My dad has like a thousand vinyls and I remember this one room in the house being full of them. I’ve wanted to sing and make my own music since then, I’m still experimenting with my sound and I'm having fun which is the most important thing.
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘Manchester’ and ‘Music’?
Self-expression.
What part has Manchester played in your own musical journey?
Over the few years that I've been here, I’ve met some really cool people. I released my first proper song ‘Bedsheets’ with Manchester-based producer ‘MATTU’ a couple of years ago, I performed live for the first time in my life at an event called BeeLive and then at my close friend Aimee’s event for Destructive Black Creatives at Hatch. I've also been played on BBCRadio1 Introducing Manchester a few times which was really weird but cool. So Manchester has played a huge part in my musical journey.
Why do you think Manchester has produced and inspired so many amazing musicians?
The people here are really cool, I love walking the streets in the Northern Quarter and just seeing people being unapologetically themselves. Before the virus, there were loads of events on all the time and it brought people together - we’re really missing that.
Tell us about your favourite ever gig in Manchester?
Favourite gig I did personally was at Hatch for DBC (as mentioned above). My best friend hosted a creative event with live musicians, art, photography and dancing to celebrate black creatives. It was a really beautiful time.
How important do you think the Northern Quarter is in terms of Manchester’s musical scene?
I think it's super important, it's a creative hub with loads of history.
Where’s the best place to discover new music in the NQ?
Piccadilly Records for physical albums and Off The Square for live music (I don't get out much lol).
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Closer' by Ne-Yo. I vividly remember only having two songs on my tiny brick phone when I was a kid and I listened to this non-stop in my garden of an evening whilst dancing around.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Maybe 'Helena Beat' by Foster The People or any track off ’The 1975’ album for nostalgia reasons.
One record you would keep forever?
I never buy a record that I wouldn’t keep forever but if I had to pick, probably 'MTV Unplugged in New York' by Nirvana.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"The room is on fire and she's fixing her hair"
From 'Reptilia' by The Strokes. I strive to be that cool and carefree one day.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Siren' by Shygirl.
A song you wished you had written?
'Something About Us' by Daft Punk. So much emotion in such simple lyrics.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Euphoria' by Merge! Ft Yameii Online (when the beat drops at 1:11, insane).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I genuinely don't think I can surprise people when it comes to this because I listen to all sorts… maybe 'Goodbye Horses' by Q Lazzarus, absolute banger makes me want to be on a mountain with the wind whipping through my hair in slow motion.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Hong Kong 2046' by Hong Kong Express super chill and feels like you’re in a futuristic game walking through the city streets at night with an AI earpiece talking to you.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
I'm listening to my own a lot, I'm working on new stuff I'm excited about. It's very different to what I have out right now, I'm having fun recording them and I can't wait to share them.