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Allie X

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Allie X
Allie X at the SOCAN Canada's Day Family and Friends Bash, 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
Labels
Websitealliex.com

Alexandra Ashley Hughes (born 31 July 1985), known by her stage name Allie X, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and visual artist. She began her career as an indie pop artist in Toronto in the mid-2000s, playing with local bands and recording several albums.[10]

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2013, Hughes began working with producers Cirkut and Billboard and achieved success with her 2014 single, "Catch", which peaked at number 55 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart.[11] The song rose to prominence after pop singer Katy Perry referred to it as her "spring jam" on social media.[12]

Hughes released her debut extended play in 2015, CollXtion I, followed by her debut studio album CollXtion II in 2017, and Super Sunset in 2018. In 2019, she also released an analog version of Super Sunset. Her second and third studio albums, Cape God and Girl with No Face, were released in 2020 and 2024, respectively.

Early life

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Alexandra Ashley Hughes was born on 31 July 1985 in the city of Oakville, Ontario.[4] Her father is of British descent.[13] Raised in an upper middle class family, she has described her upbringing as "privileged".[14] She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts, 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.[15] During her adolescence, Hughes was diagnosed with an unnamed autoimmune disorder that caused her to be "small and sickly-looking." To deflect attention her appearance gave her, she began using clothes and experimenting with makeup. In college, she began smoking marijuana to cope with the condition.[16]

Career

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2006–2012: Career beginnings

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Hughes first started her career under the stage name Allie Hughes in Toronto around 2006, performing indie pop, indie rock, jazz, and electronic music.[17] After three years of studying at Sheridan, she recorded a 10-track demo album, titled Waiting for the Prize. Hughes described the CD as "a big hit with the music theatre kids", encouraging her to pursue a professional career in music.[18][19]

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[15] but was eliminated from the show after two weeks. That same year, she released her second demo album.[20]

She began recording for her debut studio album in 2009, collaborating with Dave Newfeld of Broken Social Scene, Leon Taheny, and Adam King of Run With Kittens. The album, titled The Hard Way,[21] was initially set for release in fall 2010[22] but was delayed to 2011[18] and ultimately scrapped. During this timeframe, she released a 4-track self-titled extended play in 2010, meant to act as a preview of sorts for the then-upcoming project.[21]

Following the cancellation of The Hard Way, Hughes developed her synth-pop and electronic inspired band, ALX, in late 2011. The group released their debut and only single, "I Will Love You More" in March 2012,[23] although a variety of other songs were performed during live shows.[citation needed] ALX had their final known performance at the Hillside Festival in July, where they performed seven unreleased original songs and one cover.[24][better source needed]

Her acting credits during this time include Canadian movies and television programmes, including The Boys in the Photograph, King, Being Erica, and Instant Star; her music was featured in Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, and Love Me.[25][26]

2013–2015: CollXtion I

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In March 2013, Hughes was one of four musicians to receive the Canadian Film Centre Slaight Music Residency Showcase.[25][27] In July 2013, Hughes moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time career as a songwriter; despite this, she did not stop working on her solo material.[17] She had not been satisfied with her sound and spent time learning about sound design and production.[28] 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.[29] Hughes eventually signed a publishing deal and moved into a house "[this company] was renting" where she "wrote song after song," fearing they would "send" her back. During this period, Hughes wrote the song "Bitch."[30]

In early 2014, Hughes released her debut single under the Allie X name, titled "Catch". Upon release, the single received praise from multiple sources including American singer-songwriter Katy Perry who called the track on Twitter, "spring jam."[11][29][31] It charted on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 55 on the chart.[32] "Catch" went on to be re-released as an EP in November 2015, featuring additional tracks.[33]

Prior to the release of Hughes's debut extended play, CollXtion I, two 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,[34] with the worldwide release being pushed back to 21 April.[35] The EP was well received[36][37][38] and was promoted through a small North American tour in 2015.[39]

Besides working on solo music, in 2014 and 2015, Hughes also contributed to Australian singer Troye Sivan's album Blue Neighbourhood, co-writing seven tracks, including two of the album's three singles, "Talk Me Down" and "Youth".[40] She also supported Troye Sivan on his 2016 tour's North American leg.[41]

2016–2018: CollXtion II and Super Sunset

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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.[42] On 13 May 2016, Hughes released another song called "Too Much to Dream"[43][44] 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.[45][46] This project ended on 6 November 2016, with Hughes saying no new music would be released until the album is out.[47]

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.[48] On 28 April 2017, Hughes released "Paper Love" as the first single from the upcoming album.[49][50] "Need You" was released on 26 May 2017.[51]

On 1 June 2018, Hughes released "Focus" as the first single from her then-untitled second studio album,[7] followed by the release of the second single "Not so Bad in LA" on 13 July.[52] The following Monday, Hughes announced her extended play, Super Sunset, to be released in the upcoming fall, along with a four date promotional tour, The Super Sunset Xperience.[53] On 25 December 2018, Hughes released Super Sunset Analog, an alternate version of her previously released album Super Sunset.[54]

2019–present: Cape God and Girl with No Face

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On 26 September 2019, Hughes released "Fresh Laundry" along with a music video for her next album that was then untitled. This was followed by "Rings a Bell" on 17 October. On 8 November, the third single, "Regulars", was released. The fourth single, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Troye Sivan, "Love Me Wrong", was released on 6 December. On 16 December, Allie announced the pre-order, album artwork, and album title for her upcoming album, Cape God, through her social media accounts. A fifth single, "Devil I Know", was released on 31 January 2020. The album was released 21 February 2020. Hughes' vocals were featured on "Shadow" by Dutch electronic music duo Vicetone, released on Canadian label Monstercat on 30 October 2020. The singer also released a collab with Mitski, "Susie Save Your Love". In 2020, she appeared as a guest host in the seventh episode of Canada's Drag Race.[55]

She performed in the 2021 virtual edition of Pride Toronto.[56] In July 2021, Hughes released a single with drag queen Violet Chachki, "Mistress Violet", produced by French producer Lecomte De Brégeot and written by Hughes. The song's 1980s influenced music video was shot in analog and features Hughes and Chachki in Schiaparelli haute couture outfits. Chachki had previously appeared with Hughes in the music video for her 2016 single "All the Rage".[57]

In November 2023, Hughes announced her third studio album Girl with No Face would be released February 24, 2024, promoted by lead single "Black Eye" and its title track. Upon release, the album was met with acclaim from music critics.[58] The album was a longlisted nominee for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.[59]

Artistry

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Hughes cites many of her influences as being ABBA, Arthur Russell,[60] Björk,[61][62][non-primary source needed] Kate Bush,[61] Lady Gaga,[63] Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper,[64] Mariah Carey, Mark Mothersbaugh, Tom Petty, and author Haruki Murakami.[65] She also explains that the X in her name represents the unknown variable in algebra,[66] 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."[67]

Hughes has the vocal range of a soprano,[68] with her music having drawn frequent comparisons to British singer Ellie Goulding's,[66] but also that of Chvrches and the Knife.[17] 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.[28]

Public advocacy

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Hughes has frequently voiced her support for women's rights[69] and LGBT rights,[70][71] 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".[72]

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Work Category Result Ref.
2015 Berlin Music Video Awards "Catch" Best Art Direction Nominated [73]
2017 APRA Music Awards "Youth" Pop Work of the Year Nominated [74]

Discography

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Main article: Allie X discography

Studio albums

Tours

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Headlining

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  • Doing X Tour (2015)[75]
  • The Collxtion II Tour (2017)[76]
  • The Super Sunset Xperience (2018)[77]
  • Cape God Tour (2022)[78]
  • Girl With No Face Tour (2024)
  • Weird World Tour (2024)[79]

Supporting

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Allie Hughes Valentines Wedding Spectacular". Sticky Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Nee Sous X". La Presse. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  3. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (30 July 2011). "I just remembered its my birthday on Sunday. Oyyyy" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b "Allie Hughes May Be The Next Maria". 21 June 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  5. ^ Daw, Stephen (18 December 2019). "Allie X Deals With Serious Déjà Vu in 'Rings a Bell'". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  6. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (21 March 2014). "Scouting Report: Toronto Synth-Pop Singer Allie X". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b Crowley, Patrick (June 2018). "Allie X Talks 'Apocalyptic' New Single, Writing With Troye Sivan & Her Connection to the LGBTQ Community". Billboard. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  8. ^ Rowley, Glenn (4 October 2019). "Allie X's 'Fresh Laundry': The Pop Singer Heralds a New Era of Experimentation". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  9. ^ van den Hoogenband, Corey (19 February 2020). "Allie X Cape God". Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Allie X (Canadian Film Centre)". Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  11. ^ a b Cox, Jamieson. "Allie X's "Catch" Is a Perfect Pop Gem". Time. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  12. ^ Katy Perry [@katyperry] (6 March 2014). "Currently I'm obsessed with this song CATCH by Allie X" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Allie X Will Make Your Head Spin in This Kaleidoscopic Shoot Exclusively for Fault Online". Fault. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  14. ^ "Allie X Talks Finding 'Solace' in Herself on New Album 'Cape God'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Allie X". Dream Machine. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Allie X". Gossamer. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "Allie X – Biography & History – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  18. ^ a b "Allie Hughes - About". alliehughes.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Becoming Allie X". Office Magazine (Interview). Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Allie Hughes - MySpace". MySpace. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Allie Hughes - MySpace". MySpace. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011.
  22. ^ "Allie Hughes - Info". Alliehughes.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010.
  23. ^ "I Will Love You More". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012.
  24. ^ "ALX - Hillside Festival 2012". SoundCloud. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  25. ^ a b "CFC announces participants for slaight music residency". cfccreates.com. Canadian Film Centre. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  26. ^ "LyricCanada 2010 National Conference" (PDF). Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  27. ^ Friend, David (13 June 2014). "International Star You Should Know: Allie X". Variety. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  28. ^ a b "Allie X explores her 'shadow self' in her dark radio-ready pop" (Interview). Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  29. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (10 March 2014). "Who Is Allie X? 'Catch' Singer Talks Katy Perry Shout-Out, Her Pop Takeover Plan". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  30. ^ June, Sophia (23 February 2024). "Allie X Credits Cloud Slippers For Getting Her Through Her New Album". Nylon. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Allie X Shares New Track". DIY (Interview). Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  32. ^ "Allie X Chart History - Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  33. ^ "Catch – EP by Allie X on iTunes". iTunes. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  34. ^ "Allie X's Journey To Dimension X: Idolator Interview". April 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  35. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (7 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.
  36. ^ "Julia LeConte of Edmonton Journal reviews CollXtion I". Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  37. ^ "REVIEW: Allie X – CollXtion I". Pressplay. 8 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  38. ^ McNutt, Ryan (8 April 2015). "Allie X". Allie X | Exclaim!. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Allie X will embark on her first ever U.S. tour". AXS. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  40. ^ Wass, Mike (9 September 2015). "Allie X On The Warm Reception Of 'CollXtion I,' Co-Writing Troye Sivan's "Bite" & Part II: Idolator Interview". Idolator.com. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  41. ^ "Troye Sivan Snags Shamir, Allie X & LANY for 2016 Tour". Fuse. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  42. ^ Daw, Robbie (3 February 2016). "Allie X Offers 'Old Habits Die Hard' As Free Download: Listen To The New Synth-Pop Song". Idolator. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  43. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (12 May 2016). "Dear X's: Too Much to Dream will be released worldwide tomorrow" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (14 May 2016). "X's the first track from #CLXIIɄ – Too Much To Dream is out now!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (13 May 2016). "CollXtion II is Ʉnsolved" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Allie X [@alliex] (14 May 2016). "COLLXTION II is Ʉ so I'm not sure at this point. Maybe you can help me make that decision?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  47. ^ Allie X. "Unsolved Final Announcement". YouTube. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  48. ^ "CollXtion II by Allie X on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  49. ^ Moran, Justin (28 April 2017). "Allie X Gets Ripped Apart on 'Paper Love'". Out. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  50. ^ Stone, Avery (27 April 2017). "Allie X Is a Sucker for the Sweet Sting on 'Paper Love'". Noisey. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  51. ^ Allie X (Ft. Valley Girl) – Need You, retrieved 12 September 2019
  52. ^ Nied, Mike (13 July 2018). "Allie X's "Not So Bad in LA" Is A Dark Pop Masterpiece". Idolator. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  53. ^ "ALLIE X Announces New Body Of Work, SUPER SUNSET, For Fall 2018". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  54. ^ "ALLIE X on Instagram: "MERRY XMAS! 🌲🌟🌃 The first surprise: SUPER SUNSET ANALOG featuring all existing analog versions of Super Sunset + two unheard versions. On…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  55. ^ Allie Gregory, "Tom Green, Allie X, Ralph to Guest on 'Canada's Drag Race'". Exclaim!, 15 June 2020.
  56. ^ Kevin Ritchie, "Pride Toronto lineup includes Priyanka, Allie X and iskwē" Archived 3 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Now, May 3, 2021.
  57. ^ Leiber, Sarah Jae (30 July 2021). "Allie X & Violet Chachki Release 'Mistress Violet'". BroadwayWorld.
  58. ^ Mier, Tomás (16 November 2023). "Allie X Is Tearing Up Her Sound and Going Back to the Eighties". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  59. ^ "2024 Polaris Music Prize long list: the Beaches, Tobi, Elisapie, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and more". CBC Music, June 11, 2024.
  60. ^ Mirrorcle, Michael. "Interview: Grim Pop Maven Allie X talks Tumors, Dating Advice & the letter X". Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  61. ^ a b "Interview: 2016 Must-Know – Allie X". Coup De Main. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  62. ^ Agafonov, Mikhael (12 July 2016). "10 Things You Should Know About Allie X". Myspace. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  63. ^ St. Amand, Jason. "Allie X Puts the 'X' in Your Music #Xperience". Edge Media Network. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  64. ^ Russell, Erica (13 April 2015). "Exclusive: the unknown variable that is Allie X". Milk XYZ. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  65. ^ Danton, Eric R. (14 April 2015). "Wall Street Journal on CollXtion I". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  66. ^ a b Euse, Erica. "Allie X: all eyes on me". No Tofu. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  67. ^ Harding, Michael-Oliver (22 April 2015). "Allie X Is Your Friendly Neighborhood Dark-Popstar". Noisey. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  68. ^ Studarus, Laura (1 September 2015). "Slick Songstress Allie X Mystifies with 'CollXtion'". Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  69. ^ Graves, Shahlin (10 October 2016). "Interview: Allie X on #Xpression and 'CollXtion II'". Coup De Main. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  70. ^ Petkus, Shelby Clark (12 November 2015). "Allie X Marks The Spot". PrideSource. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  71. ^ Baker, Bill (11 April 2016). "In Conversation with Allie X". HISKIND. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  72. ^ Dunn, Francesca (4 April 2016). "Allie X is our sweet-sounding candy crush". i-D. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  73. ^ "Nominees".
  74. ^ "Pop | APRA AMCOS Australia". www.apraamcos.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017.
  75. ^ Robbins, Caryn (13 July 2015). "Allie X Announces First U.S. Tour; 'Sanctuary' & 'BitcH' Videos of Live Show". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  76. ^ "Allie X on Twitter: "Tickets for the COLLXTION II TOUR are available to the general public at this link"". Twitter. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  77. ^ Ginsberg, Gab (1 August 2018). "Allie X Teases Upcoming Album 'Super Sunset': 'It's a Search For Connection in a Heartless Place'". Billboard. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  78. ^ "Allie X on Twitter: "And yes at long last, my cancelled tour has been rescheduled!! I have even added some new dates 😱. A limited amount of presale VIP and (very limited) M&G tickets are now available in my store and general onsale is this FRIDAY."". Twitter. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  79. ^ "Allie X Weird World Tour Announcement". Instagram. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  80. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (27 May 2022). "TROYE SIVAN SNAGS SHAMIR, ALLIE X & LANY FOR 2016 TOUR". Fuse. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  81. ^ "Hayley Kiyoko on Twitter: "SO EXCITED to have my girls @gavinturek @alliex and @jesskentmusic go on the road with me for the 'Expectations Tour' GO GET THOSE TIX WHILE YOU CAN"". Twitter. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  82. ^ Sacher, Andrew (4 February 2019). "ionnalee releasing new album 'REMEMBER THE FUTURE,' going on tour". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  83. ^ Old, Felicia Pennent (23 October 2019). "Allie X on Her Radical Transformations and Idolising Aquaria". Dazed Digital. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
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