← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
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- [00:00]
Alya
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:06]
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- [01:47]
Alya
Visit spinquest.com for more details.
- [01:51]
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- [02:53]
Alya
I'm a very spiritual person and I'm also a very pragmatic person. Every time when there is a research somewhere, more and more, I find a lot of evidence. And this is a very hot topic in this science. Science as well. How music, how words, how everything that we say changes, you know, our reality. And I'm a big believer in that.
- [03:16]
Lynne Hoffman
I'm Lynne Hoffman and welcome to another episode of the Music Save Me podcast, the podcast that discusses the healing power of music. Now, if you like this podcast, thank you and please share with your friends. And also if you don't mind, check out our companion podcast called Taking a Walk, hosted by my dear friend Buzz Knight. And you can get that wherever you get your podcast. Now, in this captivating episode, Grammy winning artist Alya shares her profound journey of transformation and resilience. Born in the Soviet Union, Alia's life was forever changed when she discovered music at the age of seven. Her path from classical training to becoming a renowned vocalist is a testament to the power of music as a source of healing and inspiration. With her soulful melodies and philanthropic endeavors, Alia has inspired countless fans all over the world in her her recent Be the Hope campaign with UNICEF usa. It's a powerful example of how music can be truly a force for good. Join us now as we delve into how music not only saved Alia, but also became her platform for making a positive impact on a global scale. Alia, welcome to Music Saved Me. It's so great to have you here hot on the set of your new shoot of the, of a music video you're about to do. So I'm so excited.
- [04:37]
Alya
All right, well, thank you for having me. I'm. I'm really so happy. Connect, connect with people. Like every single day I wake up and you know, since the Be Hope campaign that you just mentioned, you know, every single day became an adventure and it gave me so much internal power and drive. So every single day I wake up I'm like, okay, what else I can do? Where else I can go? How many people I can inspire? What else we can do together to make life a little bit better for us and the people around us.
- [05:07]
Lynne Hoffman
Well, it's obvious because you're in the car. I mean, you are a woman on the move, and you are taking action as we speak, which I love. Let me ask you, what was your first encounter with music and how. How did it influence your life's path? Because as I looked about your, how you started out, you didn't initially pursue a career in music, did you?
- [05:29]
Alya
No. You know, I'm always jealous of these people, these musicians, let's. Let's put it right, that usually say, oh, I grew up in this musical family. Music was around me, and this is just in my blood, in my DNA. I didn't have all of it. So I consider that a luxury because my family was not musical at all. And the only exposure to music I had was through my grandma, my wonderful Ukrainian grandma. And she was a church choir singer. And so she was singing all these religious songs. And that was sort of, I guess, very influential for me because my first songs that I actually earned some money for were Christmas carols. We lived in Ukraine back then, and I was, you know, on a Christmas Eve walking with the group of other children. We were knocking on every single door, and people would open and we would sing some choirs, you know, some harmonies, some Christmas carols, and the people would give us money or candy. So that was like, very exciting time for me because then you can buy something you want. And there was not so many things back then in Soviet Union, so it would be just, you know, like piece of banana gum that I remember right now. But there was the most delicious gum because it was, you know, like, earned. And I always had dream to be on a stage, to be musician, to be able to express my voice not just by using words, but, but somehow differently with the sound. And I always was writing music and songs that I remember from very early childhood. But career w, even though I had a professional musical education, while I was still in school, when I decided to pick university was journalism faculty. So my first degree is TV journalism, which I also really liked. It's a very exciting profession. But the call for music, call to be on a stage was always with me. And when I had a chance after moving to different country to finally pursue it, I just jumped right in and I'm so happy.
- [07:42]
Lynne Hoffman
How exciting. Who was influential and inspiring in your life that sort of instilled that giving back attitude? Because I understand that you are heavily involved in philanthropic endeavors, a lot of them on top of your music career.
- [07:58]
Alya
Well, you know, I think this is in our family roots. Like, I grew up in the very modest household. I'm very blessed right now to have a platform and opportunity to give back, and I'm grateful for that. I'm not taking this for granted. And every single day I try to give back because I'm a big believer in that. As much as you give back, as much as you will get in return. So I'm not afraid to give big. And I'm not talking about money. I also talk about the time and the emotions and energy that we give back. And it wasn't the culture of my family. I was raised in the very, I would say, traditional orthodox household. And, you know, it always says in the Bible, you know, you have to. If you meet someone who's in need, you give your last rope. So that was sort of the truth that I lived with. And I always was a giver, even when I didn't have much to give.
- [09:03]
Lynne Hoffman
But.
- [09:06]
Alya
From the perspective of me, you know, sitting right now and reading the news and looking out of the window, I just believe this is just inspiring time. You know, as hard it is as sometimes uncertain to leave these days, it's also very inspiring because where there a lot of suffering and a lot of tears and a lot of, you know, uncertainty, there is a lot of hope and opportunities. So I would say, like everything I see, as soon as I wake up, my eyes in the. In the early morning, that's an inspiration for me to give back.
- [09:43]
Lynne Hoffman
Would you share with our audience a personal challenge that stands out to you in your life that you faced and how music maybe helped you overcome that moment or that time?
- [09:56]
Alya
Oh, my gosh. Well, you know, there are so many things that music helped me to overcome. But I would say the self confidence issue, or I don't even know how to put it right, definitely me moving to different country was something that was, I mean, inspiring and traumatic at the same time. Because even though I can speak English and I travel before I speak other different languages, when you come not as a tourist, but to live in the country, this is, as Russian classic writers would say, it's a little bit of a death. You know, the immigration, it's a death in some sort. And you leave parts of yourself either back in your homeland or just put it somewhere very, very deep in the closets of your soul, and it never comes back. And so I think that the music and my decision to pursue the music professionally when I became an American was assertive me to find myself again because there was a Time when I felt like there is not enough language for me to express what I want to say. I want to say something. But there are so many answers that I feel could be brought. Like using, let's say, Russian language or Ukrainian language or Japanese language that I speak. I can't. And that when music would come in and I would sit down with. I love write in a tandem with people, I would sit down with my partner and we would put all this harmony so, you know, instruments that represents different cultures, and it sort of would come together and express whatever emotion I wanted to bring on the table at that moment.
- [11:48]
Lynne Hoffman
Do you feel that you ever could have done what you're doing here back home, or that probably never would have been able to happen?
- [11:55]
Alya
I don't know. Because, you know, I believe that there is not such a thing as the if, what if in history. Whatever happened, happened for a reason. That's fair. Because. Because, like, if I. When. I mean, it's not like I wasn't trying. I was trying to do my music career when I was back in Russia, even though I was very successful as a journalist. But back then, the music industry was very different in my country and everywhere in the world. You would have to find a big label that would back you up and, you know, sign a contract. And the contracts were not good. And actually right before I immigrated to United States, I was offered contract from Universal, and it was not a good one. And I didn't. Didn't sign it because I got pregnant. And kind of thinking back then, you know, back then I thought, oh, my gosh, this is such a terrible timing. You know, I always wanted to do that. And this is such a great opportunity, great company, promising career, and, you know, I'm about to have a baby. And of course they dropped a contract, and I felt like this is the end of everything. But that actually was the beginning. And the music industry changed today. So today I don't have to look for approval from the big label. You know, like, every single talented person can go and record anywhere, even in their bedroom, and release anywhere they want. There's so many different distribution platforms, and it's just completely different world. So everything happened for a reason, at the right time and the same. I believe, with the approach to music that I have. You know, I love blending genres, I love blending languages, I love trying new things. And I feel like doing this kind of music in addition to, you know, giving something not just perfect in terms of performance, but more with the soul and something more personal. I think this type of music is having a moment right now. And this is what I love do the most.
- [13:59]
Lynne Hoffman
Hindsight, absolutely is 2020. And I want to bring up something that you just sort of mentioned about giving back. You know, I've always been a person who felt like if, if you can get a big enough platform, why would you not do good with that? You know, why wouldn't you use that for good things and to help people? And not everybody does that, but I always felt like you had to. Can you tell us how you feel about how musicians have this responsibility to use their platforms for meaningful change? Because I agree with you.
- [14:33]
Alya
I mean, everybody has an opinion. And as you said, I'm usually don't understand people that have a huge platform and they either use it heavily to monetize, which I mean, I can understand, but then you have to live with your soul. You know, you have to look at yourself in the mirror every single morning. And at some point you might end up thinking that I don't really like the person that I see every day. So you can't sell your soul for the money. And if you have a platform, you have responsibility. This is something that I've learned from being a journalist. And you know, as I said, everything comes at the right time in the right place. Maybe if fame and opportunity to pursue the music to my pleasure came to me earlier, maybe I wouldn't have this very strong sense of responsibility for what I say and what I'm trying, you know, people to convince. But knowing how much, you know, the words can go, I'm very conscious, like what I say, what I do, like on my social media, I'm very, very careful of what information I'm putting. I'm very careful what people, what brands or what companies I represent. And for me, at this stage of my life, it's given back. Like even, you know, my partnering with UNICEF for the song Hope, kind of confirmation of that I was looking for the right partner for plenty of time. And finally I felt like the unicef, this is the organization that aligns with my principles and what I believe in this time. And the collaboration happened and you know, it's raising money for children around the globe.
- [16:27]
Lynne Hoffman
It's a wonderful thing that you're doing. And I wanted to know specifically a few things because you do, I alluded earlier that you do a lot. What ways would you say or that you can share with us that you use your platform to make a positive impact and some of the initiatives that you're working on, as well as the UNICEF initiative that I definitely want to Hear more about.
- [16:50]
Alya
Well, the UNICEF collaboration is one that I'm really, really proud. It's ongoing collaboration and started from releasing very, very powerful song. It song is very beautiful by itself and the name is Hope it's out there. It was released not long ago, beautiful single and we were for Grammy consideration last year. And as soon as I released the song, I asked my followers to see if it could inspire them to do something good like little act of kindness. And people started making these videos. It started from TikTok and then led to Instagram and YouTube when they, you know, do like random things. Like one lady was giving hugs, that lady was talking about the love to their children. Somebody was making sandwiches for friends or spouses or giving flowers on the street. It became sort of this beautiful movement that led me thinking about the potential that the song had. And then I started looking for good partner. And then, you know, Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian conflict happened, which was very personal for me because you know, I'm half Ukrainian, half Russian, so. And I'm pacifist also on top of that. So it was like very, very painful moment for me, which gave me a lot of anxiety. And I started thinking about, you know, these children, that suffering and how it's terrible that in this 21st century we adults can't figure out any other ways to solve the conflict but go and, you know, kill each other, like what lesson to give to our children. And I have have three children myself. I mean, I'm not just saying from some perspective, I'm a mom myself. So it is a very, very hard topic for me to talk about. And so the UNICEF was the company, the organization that is heavily supporting children. And I love the scope of their work. I love that they go to very far away areas, they work with the people in fields. I mean, they really reach people. So that was very important for me to make sure that the money, the royalties that we give from the song hope they not just go somewhere, they go directly to the people, they go to the affected areas. And as soon as I will have opportunity and I'm actually was begging unicef, I'm like, I want to go myself there. Really. I mean, I have so much to give. I speak languages, I want to go to this Ukraine, Russian, Ukrainian border, whatever conflict, whatever people speak, any Slavic languages that I speak, I want to go there. I want to, not just to give money, royalties from a song, I want to go and give my time, I want to give my love. Because I know on my own example that even your appearance, like someone who does Something who brings any sort of life or light. It can have lasting impression on the little child, and it can propel career. Let them dream big. Because we all live in this sort of lottery in this world. We're very lucky to live in this country where females have rights, but there are countries that females have no rights or where there's extreme poverty and people still dream and the talents distributed just as evenly, the opportunities might be not. So I feel very responsible to have these resources and platform to inspire people and to give back any ways I can.
- [20:26]
Lynne Hoffman
And it is a beautiful song, and it's a beautiful thing that you're doing to help vulnerable kids all around the world. And it's such a testament to who you are and what you're doing. And it's a wonderful. I don't even know how to encapsulate it all. Because you do want to change the world. When you have a platform for the better, like you are, and even just helping one person, it can totally, like you said, change the entire trajectory of that person's life. And if you can do that, then, you know, absolutely, you can really feel good about yourself. It's the reason why I do this podcast, actually. So I totally understand where you're coming from. You know, if one person hears this and it helps them, that's what we should all be doing.
- [21:12]
Alya
Absolutely. One of the things that I notice as the person from different country about America, that Americans, in my very, very personal point of view, a little bit forgot what it is about, something about American dream. Because we all from all over the world come for the dream. Like, for the dream, whatever. This dream is, where it's very personal thing. What is American dream? But Americans, every time I would talk with Americans, I would ask, what is it? What is it? And people very confused. So. And very often what comes out is, you know, well, this is not for us to think about. The dream here is all these, like, wealthy people or politicians. That's. That's for big people, you know, for big wolves to. To work on a dream. We're just little people. We're just living our lives. And I think this is something that I don't know, as I tell to my son, when he would say me something like that, I would say him to him, Isaiah, you're just too lazy. You go out of your rear end and go do the work. So the dream comes from little actions. You don't have to have a lot of money. You don't have to have a platform. You just have to get going because you Never know where you will end up. But the only thing, the only way you will succeed is just by moving. It doesn't have to be big. And this is a dream, dream to keep going, to keep doing something. I, I believe it's very important. I mean, not just for America, but for any country. And I'm very driven by that. I'm a really like a doer person and I believe that that's something that keeps us alive probably.
- [22:56]
Lynne Hoffman
Well, hard work pays off. I mean, that's the truth. And you know, you're living proof of that. So. And you know, you come here, I think, to become the best version of yourself because. Because it's the freest place in the world. So, you know, I think that's a lot of people forget that. And I'm so excited for you and your family and all the amazing things that you have ahead of you besides the stuff that you've already accomplished just to get here to do that. I want to know how you believe music can serve as a healing tool for other people who are maybe suffering or going through personal challenges. Kind of like what you were just saying, but maybe a bit more about how music can help.
- [23:35]
Cleanomic Promo Voice
Help.
- [23:36]
Alya
I, I'm a very spiritual person and I'm also very pragmatic person. So every time when there is a research somewhere I find online about how music actually scientifically can alter, you know, not just our state of mind, but something on a level of cells. I always go deep down and kind of try to track this research and more and more I find a lot of evidence. And this is a very hot topic in the science, how music, how words, how everything that we say changes our reality. And I'm a big believer in that. When my kids were still in my belly, they were listening. From the moment I knew that they have all the sensory things evolved and working. They were listening to classical music and they all have perfect pitch. They just came out like that. So I know it works. I know music can heal souls. I know music can change lives, not just because we believe it, but because it's scientifically proven. And that's why in my music I very, very careful about lyrics, my lyrics. I don't write music about bad stuff. Not because it's all sugar coated and cheesy, but because I believe that at this point of my life and my life in the life of the earth, this is the content that we, we need start talking about positivity, about something bigger and better than money, fashion, you know, all these wonderful beautiful instincts that we love. You know love and hate or sexual relationship, there is something more out there. So I found myself very successful and self inspired on the field of inspirational pop. I still would like to write pop music. I want to have a big platform because I believe there are so many people want to hear this music and this kind of message that I mean the more the merrier. So I'm really, really very, very excited to work in here. And you know, my first Grammy that I got, it comes from new age music. This is sort of type of music that becoming a very, very mainstream these days. When it's meditative, when it's calming, when it's something that puts people in this stage, when they can slow down and think about who they are and, and don't forget about their roots. So this is just. I believe that the music and especially music that I love and work on, it's a little bit more than entertainment. This is something for the soul for sure there.
- [26:28]
Lynne Hoffman
Well, thank you.
- [26:29]
Alya
I'm not saying I'm just only write something very melodic and obviously like in my repertoire and my album is dropping this year. You will see a lot of ballads, a lot of melodic inspirational things. But I also write songs that you can dance, dance, you know, your head off. But the lyrics over there, they're still good, they're still inspiring, they're still clean. I really want to make sure that whatever comes out from me as an artist is clean and suitable for everyone. So my kids can listen that and the grandma that turned 100, you know, last week also can, you know, comprehend and relate. So this is kind of my goal as an artist.
- [27:12]
Lynne Hoffman
Wow. Well, thank you for, first of all, congratulations. 100's pretty impressive and I hope we all should live that long, if not longer. And thank you for all the great work you do on top of all the wonderful music that you put out. I was dancing to your song in the club. The name is escaping me because it was 2020.
- [27:34]
Alya
American Beauty.
- [27:35]
Lynne Hoffman
Yes, thank you. That was the one. And I thought, I remember hearing it and then when I was doing my research on you, I thought, oh my gosh, that was her. I didn't even realize that that was you.
- [27:46]
Alya
Oh, that's so funny. Yes. I love this song. This was so beautiful. That was one of the songs that sort of introduced me to American market and it was inspired by my personal journey as someone from different country coming to United States to chase the dreams. And there's that, that's, that's what I felt represent American Beauty, you know, the variety of us, the beauty of us, the freedom of us. It's a good song.
- [28:15]
Lynne Hoffman
Yes. And so is Hope. It is equally as wonderful in a different way though. And it is, it's very healing and it also goes to such a great cause. So where people can go download the song on itunes anywhere. It's called Hope by Alia. Yes. And thank you so much much for everything that you're doing and keep, keep dreaming because I'm sure there's going to be more great things coming from the artist known as Alya. And thank you for being on Music Save me and sharing your story. Thank you.
- [28:45]
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- [29:10]
Alya
Visit spinquest.com for more details.
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Alya
You know what a girl's best friend is?
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Alya
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Alya
Make it Ray Showtime, ladies.
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Alya
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- [31:20]
Alya
This is an iHeart podcast.