From the iconic waves of Velvet Condom to the rhythmic beats of Liste Noire, Alice Gift has always been a name synonymous with avant-garde post-punk music. Now, the Berlin-based Franco-German maestro is back, unveiling his latest work, a cover version of “To Live And Die In L.A.” With a style that effortlessly marries shoegaze, darkwave, and synth-pop, Alice’s stage presence is nothing short of electrifying. And he’s not alone in this musical journey. His aural soulmate Djamila Paris showcases her prowess on drums and keys, and to this day, the pair find sanctuary in a crypt nestled in the quiet corners of Neukölln cemetery.
Their version of “To Live And Die In L.A.” is a dreamy departure from its hip-hop roots. It’s a soft electro-dream pop journey, tinged with melancholy, carried by hazy vocals and shimmering synths.
Diving into the backstory, Alice shares:
“To Live And Die In L.A.’ was originally a song I recorded many years ago for Heiko Lange’s (director of the cult film ‘B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979-1989’) new feature film project Paradise City. Since the film wasn’t shot in the end, the drafts remained untouched on my hard drive until I dug them out again and re-produced them for my current EP.
The original song by Tupac is a hymn to the great L.A., which among other things is about exaggerated self-dramatisation and glorification of success. My interpretation is an inverted version of the song, bringing out the darker side of the promise of such a city.”
The video is a purple-hued dreamscape, featuring a stunning female lead, reminiscent of a satirical take on a bedroom influencer. Bold, sometimes ironic slogans flash across the screen, adding layers to the narrative.
Alice delves deeper,
“Our story in the video is that of a young and radiant woman attracted to the possibilities and glamour of the city, driven by the desire for recognition and self-fulfillment. The euphoria and instant gratification of the artificial attention drown out her own demons but make them disappear only for a short time.
She then discovers the darker side and the price one often has to pay for these dreams—the exploitation of one’s image, the superficiality of human relationships, and their empty promises. One must restlessly stage oneself, often subordinate oneself to the fantasies of others, and at the same time expose oneself to the overpowering morality and its merciless censorship.
A phase of new insights begins for her, accompanied by healing anger that leads her to make her image and her art her own again. Empowerment and emancipation through the conscious and self-determined use of her desire. She goes from being an object to being a subject again. It is nevertheless a painful awakening, as it is inseparable from loneliness and disillusion.
L.A. could also be Berlin here. A city with a similarly magical attraction where people come to redefine themselves, but are unaware of the loneliness and lack of support in some spheres. The awakening in this story is the key to true beauty, and perhaps also to the true and longed-for unfolding of one’s personality.”
Dive into the visual narrative of “To Live And Die In L.A.” below:
“To Live And Die In L.A.” is now available on all streaming platforms. For the vinyl and CD enthusiasts, mark your calendars for October 20th, when it drops as part of the forthcoming EP. Nothing Against Uplifting But … which will be released by Parisian label Icy Cold.
The forthcoming record promises a collection of intriguing B-sides and rarities from this French Berliner. And if you’re desiring a live experience, Alice Gift is gearing up for shows next month in support of the EP:
Live Dates:
Stay connected with Alice Gift:
The Coiled One, the sophomore release from Los Angeles-based Spahn Ranch, holds a revered spot…
Bleak Recordings is delighted to introduce Gloom, the inaugural EP from Portuguese dark wave band…
We succumb tonight It’s the funeral of hearts This misery will vanish tonight Mekong is…
Non-being of limitation Empty of being, empty abstractions Conditioned by transcendence Extra extrapolations Today, the…
what you don't know what you can't see red cloud is calling stalking watching hypnotizing…
The Joy of Elephant has trampled through our aural garden once again with the project's…