music.wikisort.org - Musician

Alisa Xayalith (born 1986)[1] is a New Zealand musician, and is best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player[1] for New Zealand indie electronic[3] band The Naked and Famous.[10]

Alisa Xayalith
Xayalith performing with The Naked and Famous in 2016
Background information
Born	1986 (age 35–36)[1] New Zealand[1]
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand[2][1]
Genres	Indie electronic post-punk revival[3] indie rock[4] synth-pop[5] electro-rock[6] noise pop[7] new wave[8]
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, keyboard[1]
Years active	2007–present[2]
Labels	Somewhat Damaged[9]

Early life

Xayalith was born in New Zealand, and is the daughter of Laotian refugees. She has one older sister, one older brother,[11] and two other brothers.[12][13] Shortly after the musician's seventh birthday, her mother passed away[11] from breast cancer.[14] Having grown up in South Auckland,[15][16] New Zealand,[2] the singer's father was a vocalist in a local Laotian ensemble.[16]

The Naked and Famous

In 2006, Xayalith met Thom Powers and Aaron Short at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand.[17][9] Shortly thereafter, Powers and Xayalith began dating.[18] It was from this encounter, that in 2007, pop band The Naked and Famous was formed.[2] In 2012, the quintet moved to Los Angeles, California, United States.[19] In 2014, Powers and Xayalith ended their romantic relationship, but both continued to remain as members in the band.[18]

The Naked and Famous parted ways with Aaron Short and Jesse Wood in 2018,[20] followed by their split with Luna Shadows and David Beadle some time prior to March 2020.[21] As of December 2021, the ensemble continues to perform as a duo with both Powers and Xayalith.[10]

Solo career

In December 2021, Xayalith published a song entitled "High Fidelity", the first tune from the musician's upcoming EP. The track was produced[10] by Tyler Spry^{[failed verification]} and Simon Oscroft,[10] with a music video directed by Jason Lester.[22]

COVID-19 illness

On 20 December 2021, the singer announced that she was diagnosed with COVID-19, and that she was in a romantic relationship.[23]

Critical reception

Alex Gallagher of NME Networks describes Xayalith's debut single "High Fidelity" as "a lush, spacious pop cut that foregrounds the singer’s syrupy vocals with shimmering synths and a soaring, effervescent chorus."[10]

With regard to the debut hit, Dan Shaw of We Are Happy Media stated that "With shimmering retro synths and powerhouse vocals front and centre, it blooms with romantic colours" going on to say that the "accompanying video mirrors the lyrical reveries of Xayalith, making a star of the Californian landscape".[24]

Discography

EPs

• Superpowers (2022)[25][26]

Singles

• "High Fidelity" (2021)[10]
• "I'll Be There" (2022)[27]

As featured artist

• "Psychadelic Girl" by Kidz in Space from Episode 001: Chasing Hayley (2009)[28]
• "Tucan" by Kids of 88 from Modern Love (2012)[29][30]
• "Forget" by The Chain Gang of 1974 from Felt (2017)[31]
• "Move" by Peking Duk (2020)[32]
• "Half Light" by Attlas from Lavender God (2020)[33]

As writer

• "Half Naked & Almost Famous" by Machine Gun Kelly from Rage Pack (2011)[34] as well as Lace Up/Half Naked & Almost Famous (2012)[35]
• "Little Deaths" by Sir Sly from The Rise & Fall of Loverboy (2021)[36]

Other credits

• Various background vocals, Human by OneRepublic (2021)[37]

References

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