No two ways about it: Italian-born Alessandra Boldrini’s calling has always involved music. Starry-eyed and ready to turn dreams into reality, she packed her bags and headed to the UK in 2016 to pursue a degree at BIMM Institute. Since then, she’s gone on to amass over half a million streams across her tracks and positioned herself as one of Pop’s most exciting rising stars.
Inspired by the likes of Dua Lipa, Nono, Mabel, and Clean Bandit, Boldrini’s EDM-meets-Pop sound pivots around her enchanting yet confident vocal palette that oozes with charisma. Showcasing a vocal maturity way beyond her years, Boldrini’s lyricism explores the human mind, often subconsciously writing songs from the perspective of others. Hailing from the small Italian village of Fabriano, Boldrini’s lofty musical ambitions left her feeling like a big fish in a small pond. She spent time singing in her local choir during childhood, and while her musically inclined family ignited her passion, Boldrini decided to move to London and study at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in pursuit of her musical dreams.
For Boldrini, music is more than simply structured noise; it’s also therapy, a vessel that supplies her with a consistent stream of confidence and motivation to fuel her determination to succeed. This is evident in her latest track “Never Going Back”. Touching on breaking trust with someone you once classed as important, the songwriter shares, “I realised that this person was nice and helpful just to get something back in return, which I definitely wasn’t going to give! Surround yourself with people who make you a better person!”
What’s your story as an artist?
I was born in a small village in the centre of Italy called Fabriano and raised from a music “inclined” family. My dad always played the piano in our living room, and my mum used to sing upstairs, so I’ve been around music since I was a child! I developed a passion while singing with the choir in my city, and after high school, I decided to move to London by myself to pursue this career! Since then, I’ve met incredible people, and I’ve grown a lot; it hasn’t been easy as I’ve completed my Music Performance degree while juggling between 2/3 jobs at the same time to support my life in the big city, but I would do it all over again, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for me!
What do you want your music to communicate?
My songs are about situations and emotions I’ve experienced and felt before; I’d say that I want my music to be relatable and to communicate positive messages, especially those of self-love and independence.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
I’ve recently been obsessed with Olivia Rodrigo and how she can transfer her emotions into her songs in such a transparent way. I love her authenticity, and I admire the vulnerability in her lyrics; it’s like having a conversation with her.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Since I’ve started listening to her music, I’ve always looked up to Ariana Grande and her way of approaching other people. She is always kind and passionate about everything she does; at the same time, I admire her because she has been able to recover from some challenging situations in her life, which motivates me to always do better.
What’s the record or artist that made you realise you wanted to be an artist?
I’d say Adele’s first songs like “Chasing Pavements”, “Rolling in the deep”, and “Skyfall” are the ones who gave me the boost to really think about music as a future career. I remember singing her songs in my house, hoping the neighbours wouldn’t hear me and literally singing my heart out! These special moments are some that I still keep in mind thinking about my journey until today.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.
My latest release, “Never Going Back”, is an upbeat and dance track that touches on breaking the trust with someone important in your life. A couple of years ago, I had a discussion with a friend of mine only to find out that our relationship was built on something that wasn’t there. I was very upset and disappointed, and I went through a really dar period during that time. After a year of “stand-by.”
I started working again on my music and e-met my producer Rich Pilkington which helped me bring this song to life! He was impeccable and understood where I was coming from, what I wanted my sound to be and which emotions I wanted to share.
What inspires your sound?
I always define my sound as “happy”, even though most of my lyrics are about heartbreaks and unhappy situations. Funnily enough, I find inspiration in everyday little moments, and I’m more productive when I’m at my best! I’ve always heard about artists writing their best songs while being sad and going through a rough time. Still, for me, it’s the period after that bad situation where I’m aware of being over it and can write about it without hesitation.
What’s your favourite tune of yours?
Mhhhh, I’d put “Out of here” in the first place, as the song has a special place in my heart, being the first one I’ve ever I’ve written on my own; that also led to other opportunities.
Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?
Being still at the first stages of my music career, I’d really love to be able to perform with a band, which I’m trying to put together! One of my biggest dreams is to perform at the O2 Arena here in London, and I really hope one day I’ll be able to get there!
Favorite lyric you ever wrote?
Some of my favourite lyrics I wrote are in my previous release, “Blind To You”.
“If I could just fit 24-more hours in my day, you know I’ll do it straight away.”
They’re my favourite cause I can relate to them; basically, my life circles around this sentence as I never have enough time to do everything I have to do.
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?
Yes, there have definitely been many moments. Moving to London alone, studying and working full-time, all the time really took a toll on my mental health after a few years; I had some really low moments during these past 3 years where I just felt like maybe it wasn’t worth keeping chasing my dream. I think it’s normal to have such thoughts sometimes as we are all human, and sometimes we forget to prioritise important aspects of our life.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Probably to take care of myself and don’t overdo things. I used to be so restless and literally do thousands of things every day; it led to a very unhealthy lifestyle that didn’t help me through the years. I’ve recently started to regain control over myself and my life, and I’m trying to take care of myself every day with small things that make me happy. We all work hard, and we should be able to recognise that to ourselves. 🙂
Where do you think the next game-changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
I think after these crazy couple of years dominated by the pandemic, the music industry is rising again through Live streaming performances and full concerts! With the technology moving forward so quickly, we’ll reach a new aspect of the music industry we’ve never experienced before. An example can be Dua Lipa’s Live Stream full concert “Live Studio 2054”, which was honestly incredible! Even though not in person, people will still be able to enjoy outstanding performances, and I think this will definitely change the future of the music industry in some ways!
