ALBA

-Who is Alba? Where are you from, how long have you been playing music, etc.

I am a British-Spanish singer, guitarist, and songwriter. My musical journey began when I
was just 4 years old in Toulouse, France, where I started learning piano. My family moved to
Spain when I was 7, which is when I started singing and playing the guitar. During my
teenage years, I founded my first band, ‘Sons of Rock’. We recorded and released four studio
albums. My path as a solo artist began when I relocated to London in 2016. Since then, I have
released several singles and toured extensively in the UK.

-If you had to describe your sound using just five words, what would they be?

Guitar-driven thought-provoking soul.

-Who are your biggest influences musically?

Many incredible artists have influenced my music over time. Growing up, I listened to a lot
of classic rock, blues, and soul. Bands like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles were
foundational for me. Guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Jimi Hendrix, B.B.
King, Santana, Rosetta Tharpe, and John Mayer shaped my guitar-playing. More recently,
I’ve been influenced by contemporary R&B, neo-soul artists like Alicia Keys, Joss Stone,
HER, Amy Winehouse and Tom Misch.

-What’s your songwriting process?

I love storytelling and draw inspiration from a wide range of things – personal experiences,
things that annoy me, things I wish were better, love, lessons I've learned, stuff that happened
to friends, and issues that I care about like equality, peace, social justice and the environment.
I usually start with a melody or a chord progression and let the lyrics flow naturally from the
emotions I’m feeling at that moment. I’m also constantly taking notes on my phone, from
rhymes, poems, to song ideas and hooks. I find that the stronger the feelings behind the
words, the more naturally they come out.

-When you were younger, what was the first album that blew you away and you
remember putting on repeat non-stop?

My parents had a massive record collection and we would listen to a lot of different music
non-stop. But I remember that the first record I actually owned as a child was "Spice" by the
Spice Girls. I remember singing and dancing to the songs compulsively… I couldn’t speak
English yet, so I remember trying to learn the lyrics phonetically and asking my dad for the
translation. Bless him!

-As a performer, what’s your biggest claim to fame so far?

One of my biggest highlights was performing at Rock in Rio Madrid with my band Sons of
Rock. We shared the stage with huge national and international acts, played on a massive
stage with top-notch equipment, and the show was broadcasted on TV. Another defining
moment was playing at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, which felt like coming full circle to
my musical roots.

-If you could go on tour with any current band or artist, who would it be and why?

I would love to go on tour with Alicia Keys. Her music has been a significant influence on
my songwriting and singing style. She’s an incredible musician and performer, and I think it
would be an amazing experience to share the stage with her.

-If you could put your dream team band together consisting of any musicians from
the past or present, who would the band members be?

If I could choose, I’d have Steve Jordan on drums, Carol Kaye or Sting on bass and Cory
Henry or Clyde Lawrence on Keyboards. What a line-up! lol

-How would you describe your live show to someone who has never seen you
perform before?

My live shows are a mix of high energy and emotional intimacy. I love to create a connection
with the audience and have them sing and dance with me. You can expect a blend of powerful
rock numbers with guitar at the centre, funk/pop dancy tunes and soulful ballads.

-Do any of you have any pre-gig or post-gig rituals? If so, what and why?

Before a gig, I like to have a moment of calm to centre myself. I often do some vocal warm-
ups. Post-gig, I usually like to greet the audience, reflect on the performance with my
bandmates, and enjoy some downtime.

-What would your ultimate rider be if you could have anything without being
accused of being a diva?

I am fairly low-maintenance so nothing too awkward… For example, I’d love to have a vocal
coach and a guitar tech on the team. And I wouldn’t say no to a foosball table to ease the
nerves pre- and post-gig!

-If we were to browse your music library, what is the most embarrassing song we
might find? Or who is your guilty pleasure artist?

I wouldn’t say I’m embarrassed by anything in my library, but there is a huge range of musical
genres that would confuse any normal person. You can find anything from a hard-rock/metal
track to a dance banger, with jazz, folk, R&B, classical, neo-soul, lo-fi beats, anything and
everything in between.

-Tell us one thing your fans would be really shocked or surprised to hear or learn
about you.

I think my fans might be surprised to know that I also like to play football. I play on the wing
for a grassroots team in London and it’s a lot of fun!

-If people want to check you out online, where is the best place to go?

The best place to check out my music is on Spotify and my social media accounts. You can
find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X as @musicbyalba. You can also subscribe to
my mailing list on https://www.musicbyalba.com/contact to get first-hand updates on new
releases and upcoming shows.

-Finally, What does the future hold for you as an artist?

My new EP “Questions Unanswered” is out 14 th of June on all major streaming platforms, and
I’m going on tour! I’m also releasing a limited physical vinyl edition, with only 100
numbered copies available, which I’m really excited about. The EP launch party will be on
13 th of July at The Old Blue Last, and I honestly cannot wait!

Vinyl pre-order:

https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/316734/alba-questions-
unanswered

Tour dates:

https://www.musicbyalba.com/tour

EP release:

QUESTIONS UNANSWERED EP LAUNCH