Interview with Alissa Janine
— Alissa, your creative biography at such a young age is incredible. Tell me, when did you start singing and when did you first go on stage? Are you an only child in your family?
— First of all, thank you so much, I’m very flattered. I started to sing when I was 12, but I focused on it more seriously when I was around 14 — 15. I then began to write my own music and also joined my school band, entered in competitions and did local performances. And yes; I am an only child in the family!
— As I understand, your mother is Thai, and your father is German, is that so? I know that your father is a professional musician, did he teach you or did you receive additional education?
— My mother is indeed Thai and my father is German. I grew up in a musical household, my dad would always play the piano and the trumpet, and I would watch him compose songs. That definitely influenced me to pursue the art, and as I grew older I learned about the different genres and experimented with them. My dad also taught me the basis of electronic music production, and how to work with Logic Pro; a digital audio workstation which I use to compose my music. My mother is the school director of The British International School of Northern Thailand, and she is always supportive in everything that I do. I have a very positive environment for my creativity.
— What do you like to do besides music, any hobbies?
— I love acting, cooking and enjoy listening to horror podcasts in my free time. Anything that requires me to be creative and something that can make my imagination run wild, I love. Do you consider yourself an extrovert or are you a more closed person? Your ideal world — what is it like? I feel like humans are very complex and there is just so much diversity in one’s personality, but if I had to describe myself I would say I am more of an introvert, who likes being social regularly. I can easily be with myself, and enjoy the moment fully when I am alone, but I do look forward to hanging out with friends and meeting new people. I am also more of a listener. In my ideal world, people can freely express their true identity, comfortably, and establish real connections, whether they are introverted, extroverted, a mix between the two, or anything else.
— Describe the house you aspire to live in, or do you already live in it? (Where is it located? Is it in a city or in a rural area, are there animals, is it in a modern style, or maybe you prefer more antique decoration?)
— I live on a small island in Berlin, right at the Spree river bank. One doesn’t feel like living on an island though, because there are bridges connecting the mainland. It is like an oasis in the middle of a city jungle. My family is also a fan of the ‘island in the city’ atmosphere. I really enjoy being a city girl, but maybe I developed that liking since I lived in a countryside area in Thailand. My house there is surrounded by pretty forests and rice fields, and definitely gives off a chill, relaxing and fresh vibe.
— What are you proud of and what do you wish to change and improve within yourself?
— I am proud of my roots, my family and my artistic identity. I try to stay as true to myself as possible, and I want that to reflect in my art. I still have a long way to go on this journey, and to improve as a person, and artistically. There is always room for growth and for learning new skills, I noticed in myself that I have always tried to play it safe when it comes to composing lyrics or coming up with new concepts. This year, I was to be more artistically adventurous.
— Do you have a life partner?
— I am currently riding solo, but one never knows what might happen tomorrow.
— What idea do you bring to the world with your creativity, come up with a slogan, a phrase that could express your creative message?
— Dip your donut in guacamole and I will still say this works,” I believe in creative crossovers, no matter how different the genre or style is. This is a concept I like to use when composing. For real life situations, I believe that if we can accept our differences and still live together in harmony, that is the biggest flex.
— How did you get on the show in Thailand (got talent), was it difficult? Have you had a lot of castings? What do you think helped you?
— An interesting story actually. My dad had a dentist appointment in Chiang Mai, a neighbouring city to my hometown where me and my mum went with him for support. While waiting, I took a stroll in the local mall, and saw a sign which read, ‘Thailand’s Got Talent, last day auditions.’ My mum suggested I give it a shot, I didn’t think much of it and went to the car to practice some rapping for an hour, then came back to do the audition. I passed the first off screen auditions and was invited to Bangkok, a month later, for the live auditions. I ended up receiving the golden buzzer and the 2nd runner-up prize. I was quite calm on stage for the first round, and didn’t think of winning anything, but just doing my best and having fun. That was the biggest help and advice from myself that I have received.
— You are a very cool rapper, I am delighted (although I am more a fan of rock) but, why rap?
— I love working with different types of flow, over hip hop beats, especially fast BPMs and heavy 808s. I’d say one of my strongest skills is coming up with melodic vocal flow switches and double time rap, I genuinely enjoy listening to the genre as well. The story and message behind the lyrics in hip hop is also a big highlight.
— What are your favourite bands that inspire you?
— As for bands, I like Twenty One Pilots and Maroon 5. Twenty One Pilots has some rapping in their songs, and very unique storytelling lyrical projection and Maroon 5 inspires me a lot when I first experimented with pop.
— Have you always wanted to become an artist? Or maybe there were other dreams too, for example, a translator, guide, teacher?
— I had many dreams growing up and I took each occupation seriously, in the order of doctor, vet, and comic artist.
— Is your role in the series, The Miracle, the only experience in the movie or were there other roles, did you enjoy being an actress?
— My role in the series The Miracle was my first big role, as a main female lead in the film industry. Before that, I have had a featured extra role in a German blockbuster movie called, Fack Ju Goethe 2, where I played as a rich school girl.
— If your time was not enough, but there was great success in cinema and on the music stage, which would you choose?
— As much as I love acting, if I had to choose one, I would have to lean towards singing and rapping. The creative freedom and the love for melodic flow is the reason.
— Tell us what the movie you were filming was about, is it about reincarnation? This is a bit like the plot of «Bram Stoker’s Dracula», when two people in love find themselves in a difficult situation and life separates them, but after a few hundred years they find each other in the modern world. Is this movie similar in its story? Is it about true love that knows no time or boundaries?
— The TV series I was in (The Miracle) was exactly that. Set in Egypt 3000 years ago, two lovers had been wrongfully executed and found each other again in modern day Thailand.
— Do you believe in reincarnation and true lifelong love; that people can find each other in the next life again?
— I believe in almost everything, since we never really know what crazy things can happen. So yes, I do believe in reincarnation and true lifelong love between time periods.
— Are you planning new roles in the cinema, and when should w3 expect new songs and videos?
— There will be two movies planned for shooting towards the end of 2021, and a TV Series that is likely to start filming beginning of 2022. The details will be revealed soon, but I am very excited for it! As for new music, this year there will be new single releases and an album, in the style of pop/rap crossover.
— Famous actresses, who do you like and who inspires you? What role would you like to play in the future?
— For actresses, I love Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone. They both inspire me with their naturalness and effortlessness on screen. In the future I would love to play the role of an antagonist.
— How are you spending your time during this pandemic? Writing new songs perhaps? As I know Everything is closed in Germany, but it may be possible to work on new projects?
— I wrote a bunch of new songs and had online classes. I also made some content for social media and even tried Tik Tok, as well as picking some new leisure activities and hobbies like gaming and baking. Although there is lockdown in Germany, one can always work on new projects and collaborate with others using online platforms.
— Who are the people you are most grateful for?
— My parents and grandparents for always supporting me in any way possible, my manager Mr. Dave Mclean and his team for believing in me, and for my friends who are there for me.
— Describe yourself in just one word.
— If I had to describe myself in one word, I’d say I am engaged. Engaged in what people around me want to express, engaged in the creative arts that I am passionate about, and engaged in the present moment.
— In addition to your talent, you are insanely beautiful, I would like to work with you as a model, what do you think? I hope to meet you after Lockdown.
— Thank you so much, I am blushing! It would be an honour and I’d love to, anytime!