Interview with Dutch Singer-Songwriter Alice France

Alice France is one of the newest girls to infiltrate the R&B and pop music scenes — and has since only continued to impress. She’s the kind of music artist that really puts herself into her music, and it’s clear as day when you hear her tracks. Perhaps that’s why everyone who hears her music wants to listen to it again and again.

Between her old school house beats, free-spirited lyrics and one of the most velvety voices we’ve heard in a while, Alice France’s unique persona makes her a name we’re expecting to hear a lot more in future years. We were able to get an interview with the dance and electronica star, a star who, herself, is rising almost as quickly as her two singles are on the Spotify charts. Expectedly, what we learned and listened converted us all into bona fide France fans.

Stream Alice France's music on Spotify

Follow the artist on Instagram (@iamalicefrance) Facebook (@AliceFranceOfficial) and Twitter (@IamAliceFrance)

When did you know you wanted to become a musician?

I have always been in love with music, and I started playing the violin when I was just four years old. However- I sang karaoke one night on holiday with my family, I think I was about ten years old at the time when something in me connected. Experiencing the positive feedback I received from the audience that night was so powerful to me and it made me feel so good that I immediately knew I wanted to be a singer.

For someone who hasn’t heard your music, describe your sound in five words.

My sound is very hard to describe in 5 words. However I’d say at the moment it is a mixture of dance and pop inspired by 90’s soul and R&B music, with carrying melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

Describe your music education at the Conservatory - how has your classical training influenced your sound and creative process?

Having a classical background playing the violin and growing up performing with the Orchestra definitely made me really conscious of sound and the necessity of having beautiful melodies carry a song, as well as an appreciation for organic instruments. The creativeness of composers like Mozart and Bach, for example, is truly mind blowing.

While studying at the Conservatory of music I was very blessed to find my first mentor, Tom Salisbury (award winning pianist and composer for Stevie Wonder and Richard Davis), who taught me the basis of writing a pop song. I was already writing music before we met, but he helped me mold my songs and taught me how to create structure in them, as I was all over the place back then–haha.

Do you have a particular hobby or activity outside of music that you use to replenish your creativity or inspiration?

I love doing anything that’s active, whether that’s dancing or working out in the gym, outdoor sports, hiking, the list goes on! Being active has been an amazing outlet for me as I had some body image issues growing up. And like music, being active is very therapeutic and has helped me to get both physically and mentally stronger.

Where would be your dream venue to perform?

I think that has to be Madison Square Garden. Just because it’s so legendary in and of itself, and all my idols have performed there. But really having the honor to perform for any sold out arena would be a dream come true for me.

Which song is on constant replay in your life?

I don’t have one particular song, but I listen to a lot of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin songs. They never get old to me.

Which city did you originate from, and how did the music scene in that city contribute to your musical development?

I grew up in a very small town in Holland, called Sneek. And unfortunately the music scene there wasn’t very active (laughs). And what ruled I guess in my time was a lot of punk/rock bands, which I never felt much for. It’s actually rather strange how I felt so connected to soul and R&B music at such a young age. I believe that just by listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Lauren Hill, Alicia Keys ect, is what let me to be influenced and driven toward the sound I have today.

Favorite city in the world?

New York City. I think it’s unbelievably beautiful and has so much culture, amazing food and fashion. However, Los Angeles has been growing on me because I like how low key it is and I love to be surrounded by nature and beaches.

Tell us about the origin of your first single, "True Love." How did your collaboration with JUIC3BOX come about and what was it like working together?

I met Sam Gray (JUIC3BOX), during ADE last year in Amsterdam. Sam’s manager Kenneth Komisar (who now manages me as well) introduced us, and Sam and I hit it off right away. We share the same crazy humor and, of course, he is an amazing songwriter who I was dying to work with. So as soon we started working together, it just clicked. He had this song he wrote which, as soon as I heard it, fell in love with it; that song was “True Love.” Since then we've continued writing songs together, which I’m super excited about and hope to be able to share with you soon!

For your writing process, do you start with lyrics or the melody?

For me, the melody comes first. The melodies inspire the emotions for me and then when I catch the emotions the words come to me naturally.

What, or who, is your second single “Like You Love Me” about?

It’s about someone I was seeing at the time. It was still in the early stages and I felt very fragile, because I didn’t know what he felt for me and that led me to close my heart off to him. The song is about having the exact opposite kind of relationship, which I like to do a lot because I feel that if I didn’t do that, most of my songs would be these depressing love songs about heartbreak when I don’t want to be this depressing person all the time–haha! I strongly believe that the energy you put out is what you’ll receive. And I am a hopeless romantic. I fall in love fast, get heartbroken, but ultimately still believe that true love is out there for me.

If you weren’t a musician, what would be your second-choice career path?

I’d love to work as a radio DJ, but I think my speaking voice is so horrible that I wouldn’t want to put that burden on the listener. I can’t even record my own voicemail! But I do believe it would be so much fun. Just talking shit and playing music all day.

What should new fans know about Alice France?

That my music is created from a real place and it truly reflects everything that I am. My dream is to reach as many people as I can. If I can make their day better with my music, even in a small way, that’s the ultimate goal. I hope I can inspire them and touch their hearts.