Celebrating Modern Scotland - Meet Alice-Faye

As part of our celebration of modern Scotland throughout August, we’re hosting musicians for exclusive live performances at our Multrees Walk store in Edinburgh, as part of our ‘Music Bar Sessions’. This week, on Saturday 24th August, we’ll be joined by Glasgow-based singer/songwriter, Alice Faye.

Alice Faye, has a sound that is both timeless and fresh. Best known for her insightful storytelling and mature sound, Alice recently released her latest single, Nowhere to Go, ahead of her upcoming EP. Ahead of her performance, we caught up with Alice, to learn more about how growing up in Scotland has influenced her music, and get to know her better…

You have a unique sound that seems to take cues from a few genres - how would you describe your music?

These days, I would describe my music as either ‘Retro-pop’ or ‘Pop-opera’. I’m inspired by a lot of vintage music and classic songwriting. My influences stem from old Hollywood musicals (any of Judy Garland’s), Country (Connie Francis, Patsy Cline), Jazz of the 1930s, 1960s pop (The Ronettes, The Beatles and Roy Orbison) and songwriters like Rufus Wainwright and Tom Waits. The main thing I intend to provide with my music is captivating and unique songwriting. If a song resonates and feels unique, I am content to put it within my catalogue, whatever path that leads me down sonically! Whatever I do, I try and let my voice act as the glue between the different genres I dip my toe into.

How has growing up in Scotland influenced your music? Why are you proud to be Scottish?

I am forever proud to be Glaswegian and a part of the Scottish music scene. Most of all, I’m inspired by our never-failing humour even in the face of hard-times, that somehow unites a sense of individualism within Scottish people and their hospitality, welcoming to new people. These attitudes can’t help but influence my identity, my music and my approach to audiences. My lyrics can be witty and sardonic in that idiosyncratically Scottish way, but I also think they are honest and open. 

What does ‘Modern Scotland’ mean to you?

Modern Scotland, in my view, would mean a Scotland that doesn’t bog itself down in outdated values. Constantly evolving, Scotland is a country that has proved itself capable of being a creatively inspiring and varied place to live and be welcomed into. Modern Scotland would not silence the voice of young people or creatives, and does not care where you come from, but whether you are a kind and good person!

What is your creative process like?

My creative process is pretty free. I improvise over ideas (either on the piano, guitar or ukulele), record them on my phone, listen back to them, edit, go back to writing the more developed concept, and keep going from there til the song is playable from start to finish. Once the song is pretty much finished I will start performing it live as soon as possible. When performing live, I find I’m able to tell whether I actually like the song. That live-feel, coupled with an audience, helps me understand what I want to change, what moments I want to linger on and what I feel the song is trying to say.

Which is your favourite bag in the Strathberry collection?

My favourite bags in the collection, (had to pick two, oh my goodness!) would be the black Mosaic bag and the black Box Crescent. I like bags that are sleek and timeless and at the moment I am drawn to certain colour schemes (black, red and blue particularly). These two bags would work for anyone who wants to give an effortless feel to their style.

What do you look for when picking out an outfit?

When picking out an outfit I think about whether the cut and colour is simple and classic. I love red and blue dresses and I’ll always love a black ensemble. I’ll always believe in the power of a dramatically long coat to bring together any outfit. I know an outfit is good if I feel confident and excited to strut around town to my music. In terms of jewellery, I tend to only wear earrings, so I rely very heavily on a forever-red lip, a red scarf, or a big blue (or one of my favourite bold-coloured) trench.

What are your everyday bag essentials?

My bag essentials would be: red lipstick, lip balm, perfume oil and headphones.

What three songs are on repeat for you right now?

Right now, my three songs on repeat would be: 
‘Yeh, Yeh’ by Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames
‘I’m Sorry’ by Brenda Lee
‘Jeepster’ by T.Rex

We love to hear what is inspiring our community. Give us a book, podcast, or show/movie we shouldn’t be missing right now.

If you haven’t seen it already, I always recommend the film ‘Rear Window’ directed by Alfred Hitchcock, if not only to witness the the gorgeousness of Grace Kelly’s outfits.

What are you hoping the next year has in store for you? How do you see your sound continuing to evolve over that time?

I hope next year will see me develop a wider audience in the UK and further as an artist. I’ve found a home in the Scottish music scene and feel like I’m honing and developing a (hopefully) unique and current sound, so I can’t wait to just keep going and growing! I see my sound as constantly evolving, but always distinctly music by ‘Alice Faye’, I hope that my songwriting and performance style will always resonate with like-minded vintage lovers like myself!

You can see Alice perform live in our Edinburgh Flagship store, located on Multrees Walk, on Saturday 24th August at 1pm. Don’t miss her acoustic set of original music, and some of her favourite covers. 

Shop Alice’s favourite bag here.