WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS - PHOTOGRAPHY STANLEY DUNMORE
Visionary 'chic pop' singer-songwriter Alfreda shares her poignant and perceptive single "Nude" via Nutopia Music. This new release follows her critically acclaimed single "Lipstick" and is the second track from her forthcoming EP, Mother’s Makeup Pt.1. The songs on the EP were produced by Moses van den Bogaerde and co-written with songwriter George Petrie (known for his work with Petrie, Mercy’s Cartel, and Ed Staal). "Nude" adds depth and intrigue to the Mother’s Makeup narrative, complemented by a deeply affecting music video directed by her close friend and collaborator, Stanley Dunmore.
F Word had the opportunity to catch up with Alfreda, delving into the profound undertones of "Nude," that are met with whimsical humour, the significance of feminism in her work, and her upcoming ventures, including a headline show at London's The Troubadour this September.
Keep an eye out for Alfreda as she brings her unique performances to intimate settings across England. She'll be transforming bedrooms into personal concert venues, creating unforgettable mini-parties for her audience. Stay tuned for more updates on Alfreda's journey and discover more about her HERE.
Maisie Daniels: Hey Alfreda, welcome to F Word mag! How are you today? Are you enjoying the sunshine as much as I am?
A: Hey Maisie! I’m great thank you, had such a lovely sunny weekend, pretty low-key! I’m just in the process of preparing my stage show for my headline gig at the Troubadour on September 12th.
MD: Can you talk us through the ethos behind your beautifully poignant new single, ‘Nude’?
A: I wanted to write something that encapsulated the moment I discovered my sexuality maybe wasn’t just for me. I didn’t feel prepared to be seen that way, but once that line was crossed, all of my romantic interactions changed. It opened up an entire world for me and made its way into my identity for years. Until quite recently to be honest.
MD: When did you write 'Nude', and what headspace were you in when you wrote it?
A: I wrote Nude in late 2022 with my collaborator George. I had just been stood up by someone I really liked (and reacted by acting out and making the situation worse) and the anger I felt from that occasion made me want to delve into what went wrong and when. I was reflective and nostalgic and pouring my fifteen year old self into my songs.
MD: What do you hope people will take away most from this single?
A: I suppose I want to shine a light on a very particular feeling of confusion in adolescence. I hope it finds its way to all the other men and women who have felt they sexualised themselves too early. I also find that humour is the best way to process the past.
MD: Do you consider yourself a feminist? If so, what does feminism mean to you?
A: I do. The bare minimum of society should be equality of the sexes. I probably haven’t read enough feminist literature, but I did discover a text from the 1950s called ‘The Art of Pleasing' which influenced the working title for this EP, which was originally called ‘The Act of Pleasing’. I wanted to explore the ways in which women have changed themselves to suit men, but then turn it on its head and see how we’ve then justified it for our own gain. In a cool and fun, feminist way.
MD: The video for 'Nude' was directed by your close friend and collaborator, Stanley Dunmore. Why did you choose to collaborate with a close friend, and do you think that had an effect on the final video?
A: I think Stanley is incredibly talented, and creativity is how we bond. I can be my absolute self around him and we have the same sense of humour. It’s a bonus that we’re best friends. I trust his vision entirely, and he trusts mine, so it was very smooth!
MD: You're seen dressed up as Marie Antoinette in the video. Why did you choose her specifically?
A: Marie Antoinette was known for being incredibly out of touch with the French people, and looking at her life there’s a certain naïveté to a lot of her actions and words. This naïveté, the lack of basic understanding of how the world works, we felt paralleled the act of being young (too young?) And sending nudes for the very first time. It doesn’t feel like anything hyper-important when you’re doing it, but in retrospect, it’s actually quite dark.
MD: I adore how cinematic the video is, much like your previous single 'Lipstick'. What is it about old-school glam that draws you in the most?
A: Thank you! When building the world around this project it only made sense to stick to the aesthetic born out of that era, when femininity was so clearly defined, yet also caged. The starlet, the pin up girl, the girls on the cover of pulp magazines and books. It’s a celebration of beauty but also totally made up for the male gaze. The performance and spectacle of it interests me.
MD: The video exudes a very feminine energy, from the curtains to the colours and textures, the softness of your voice. Were these intentional choices made to convey this?
A: The soft vocals were certainly intentional. I didn’t want to sound too powerful or angry. I wanted to exude the vulnerability I was feeling in that moment.
MD: The video begins gentle, soft and sweet and gradually becomes more chaotic through the use of flashing, harsh lights and darkness. I see this as a metaphor for transitioning from the innocence of childhood into adolescence and becoming aware of being a sexual object. Was this something you were meaning to transmit?
A: Yes! We discussed that during the shoot, so I am glad it is clear in the edit.
MD: What are your thoughts on modern-day romantic relationships?
A: I think it’s important for people of our generation to become aware that because of our early access to social networking, dating apps and porn - we are lazier, have more of a ‘grass is greener’ mentality and glamourise non commitment. I think this has interfered with modern day relationships. I believe to make a romantic relationship work it would require patience, kindness and sacrifice. We shouldn’t be able to get exactly what we want when we want it.
MD: You have your first headline show in September at The Troubadour in central London - congratulations! How are you feeling about that?
A: I’m feeling great about it! I like more intimate spaces as it makes me feel closer to the audience. And the Troubadour has a fascinating history. I think we make a good pair. I’m also so excited to take this EP to a live setting, as I feel it may be where it’s best understood.
MD: Do you ever get nervous before performing? And if so, how do you counteract those nerves?
A: Yes sometimes. I just have to ground myself and remember it’s not that serious and it’s fun. People just want have a good time. Taking myself less seriously allows me to get out of my head.
MD: How important is performing live to you as an artist?
A: It’s such an essential part of experiencing my music - I wrote these songs as if I was writing them for a musical. It’s all theatre for me so I feel best when singing them in the order that tells a story.
MD: The show will be promoting your debut EP. Can you tell us what we can expect from this? Does it follow the same path as ‘Nude'?
A: The EP is called ‘Mothers Makeup’ and follows a caricatured version of myself navigating my romantic identity for the first time. So yes it definitely follows the path of ‘Nude’! The idea is that there are certain ideals and concepts I inherited from my own mother, and her from her mother, and so on. And those ideals point in the direction of ‘you will not be happy until you are fulfilled by a man / marriage’. This caricatured version of myself wants to find that, at all costs.
MD: What track from the EP are you most excited to perform live, and why?
A: The final song from the EP called Frankie is the most fun to perform live. Come to the show and you’ll see why!
MD: Please tell our readers about your 'Bedroom Tour'. I love the concept of this!
A: Thank you! The idea is that over the course of a couple months I will be touring around England with my collaborator George, performing in peoples bedrooms with a small audience. Transforming the space and throwing a little party for everyone.
MD: How did you come up with the concept of the 'Bedroom Tour’?
A: The concept is loosely based around the show I put on every couple months at House of Koko, which is called ‘Bedroom Tales’. Here I transform the whole of their Ellen’s bar into my own bedroom, complete with my chest of drawers, bed and miscellaneous objects. I then perform a full show with a loose storyline and other acts (burlesque, contortionists, magicians) in between my songs and skits. This would be a smaller scale, mobile version of that!
MD: How can people across England apply?
A: I will be putting together an application link very soon! We plan to do the first one in late September, then a string of them throughout October.
MD: Have you faced any challenges as a female singer in a male-dominated industry, and if so, could you please share them with us?
A: When I started working in music it was as a songwriter. But all the songwriting rooms I was put in were with older men who had more experience than me. I often felt patronised, and didn’t feel I could commit to my vision as I’d be told it was wrong or overly ambitious or naive. I certainly also met some very talented men who I aspired to and helped me develop. But it certainly took me a few years to gain my confidence and integrity as an artist. My default has been to please the male figure.
MD: Is there anything else we should know about?
A: On June 12th I will be supporting VASSILINA at The Hackney Social! I have also just finished writing my second EP, which will continue the character arc.
MD: And finally, what's your favourite F-word?
A: Facade.
