Alison Wonderland

Alexandra Sholler (born 27 September 1986), who performs as Alison Wonderland, is an Australian electronic dance music producer, DJ, and singer. Her debut album, Run, was released on 20 March 2015, which peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by ARIA. Her second album, Awake, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums.[3] She was listed at No. 96 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs in October 2018. She is also the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history.[4] Outside of being well-known for her music, she is outspoken about her support for mental health and frequently shares her experiences with her fans.[5]

Alison Wonderland
Alison Wonderland at the ARIA Music Awards in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAlexandra Sholler[1]
Born (1986-09-27) 27 September 1986[1]
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • Record producer
  • singer-songwriter
Instruments
Years active2008–present
Labels
Websitewww.alisonwonderland.com

Personality

Early years

Alison Wonderland was born as Alexandra Sholler in 1986.[6][7][8] She grew up in Sydney where she trained as a classical musician, specialising in cello.[9][10][11] She performed as a cellist with the Sydney Youth Opera and was later a bass guitarist in a few local indie rock bands.[10][11]

Wonderland later recalled how she developed an interest in electronic dance music, "I went out to a club called Candy's Apartment... Someone played 'Silent Shout' by the Knife... I remember just completely zoning out... and walking over to the DJ and asking, 'What is this track?! Please tell someone what this track is, because this is amazing'."[12] Her performance name is a pun to the Lewis Carroll novel Alice in Wonderland.[9][13]

Mental health

In 2018, Alison Wonderland revealed that she had been battling depression and suicidal thoughts, caused by an abusive relationship. She had completely lost her appetite for food and social interaction with others,[14] and attempted suicide at one point.[15] Writing the lyrics for her 2017 album Awake was therapeutic.[16] In 2019, she decided to cancel multiple shows in Europe to focus on her mental health after consulting her managers and personal doctors, with overwhelming support from both numerous fellow DJs, EDM artists and fans alike.[17]

Career

2012–2013: Remixing and performing

During 2012 she worked as a remixer on Sam Sparro's "I Wish I Never Met You", which appeared as a bonus track on that artist's Japanese version of his second album, Return to Paradise (June 2012).[18] Sneha Dave of Music Feeds observed, "[she] proves once again why she's becoming somewhat of a remix authority. Recently played by none other than Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, [her] rendition perfectly complements Sparro's creamy vocals. Infused with a deep house sensibility, yet imprinted with original flair, this arrangement depicts exactly what a good remix should be – a tribute to the original."[18]

Also in 2012 Wonderland toured with the Parklife Music Festival, visiting Australian city parks in September to October.[19] Her set list included her remixes, Sparro's "I Wish I Never Met You" and Ladyhawke's "Blue Eyes (Alison Wonderland Remix)".[19] Highlights were presented by Falcona on Vimeo, where she was also interviewed by the Bondi Whispers.[19] Purple Sneakers' Lauren Payne noticed, Wonderland's version of "Blue Eyes" is "a very digital remix of Ladyhawke's catchy new single. Swapping the guitar and drums for a more electronic vibe, [Wonderland] has make some techno tweaks to the single and the end product is, in true [Wonderland] style, just plain splendiferous!"[20]

2013–2014: "Get Ready" to Calm Down

Alison Wonderland released her debut single, "Get Ready" (featuring Fishing), in July 2013.[9][21][22] The track was co-written by Sholler with Russell Fitzgibbon, Brendan Picchio and Douglas Wright.[23] Fitzgibbon and Wright perform as a house music duo, Fishing.[24] She was signed to EMI Music Australia in 2014,[9] which is part of Universal Music Australia.[25] As a DJ, she embarked on a national tour playing in warehouses.[26]

On 27 June 2014 her five-track debut extended play, Calm Down, was released.[21] It provided two singles, "I Want U" (May) and "Cold". "I Want U", which was co-written by Sholler with Andrew Swanson (a.k.a. Djemba Djemba),[27] peaked at No. 38 on the ARIA Singles Chart,[21] and was certified gold by ARIA in 2016.[28] It topped the Hype Machine charts as her biggest hit to that time.[29]

2015–2016: Run to "Messiah"

In February 2015, Wonderland released "U Don't Know" which featured Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips on guest vocals.[30] The music video gained popularity due to Christopher Mintz-Plasse's lead role alongside Wonderland.[31][32] "U Don't Know" peaked at No. 63 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[21] In March, Wonderland released her debut studio album Run. For the album Wonderland used fellow Australian artists, Slumberjack and SAFIA as well as various producers, Djemba Djemba, Awe, and Lido.[30] It peaked at No. 6 in Australia and No. 12 in New Zealand.[21][33] K Spence from YourEDM.com praised the album due to its diversity and her involvement in the album, as she was credited as a writer, vocalist and producer.[34] The title track was issued as a single on 11 June, along with its music video. The music video peaked at No. 6 in Australia which made it her biggest hit to date. "Run" had over two-million streams on Spotify as of 20 January 2016.[35]

On 4 August 2015 a video for the album track "Take It to Reality" featuring SAFIA was released[36] On 4 September 2015 Run was released in the United Kingdom. The third and final single, "Games", was issued on 9 September, and was praised by Spence for its lack of trap elements, in which most of Wonderland's music incorporates.[34] The music video was released on the same day and was a one-take scene of Wonderland performing many sports including Grid Iron, Martial Arts and Chess.[37] A deluxe edition of Run was released on 30 October, which included remixes of the singles, "U Don't Know", "I Want U", "Games", "Run" and "Get Ready".[38]

Alison Wonderland was nominated for in two categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 2015, Best Dance Release for the single, "Run"; and Best Video for "U Don't Know" featuring Wayne Coyne.[39] The latter was in a category that was publicly voted. She was one of eight nominees to gain exactly two nominations.[40]

Her song "Run" was listed on Triple J Hottest 100, 2015 at No. 59.[41] On 6 February 2016 she previewed a track, "Messiah", at a show, which incorporated more pop elements compared to her earlier material.[42] It was released as a single late in 2016 with Australian hip-hop producer, M-Phazes.[43]

2017–2019: "Happy Place" to Awake

On 22 September 2017 Alison Wonderland was named New Artist of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards.[44] On 21 October 2017 she was ranked No. 89 on British magazine, DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list.[45] On 9 November 2017 she released a track, "Happy Place", ahead of her second album, Awake.[46][47] Kat Bein of Billboard felt, "[it] purposely plays on the wild ups and downs of mental illness. It opens with airy strings and grounding chimes as Wonderland sings about her struggles to remain in sunny spaces. Tensions grows as the build leads to a jungle gym of clashing noise, landing in one of Wonderland's wildest creations to date."[47]

2020–present: "Bad Things" and third studio album

She is profiled in the 2020 documentary film Underplayed.[48]

On 23 September 2020, Wonderland released "Bad Things", which is the first single from her upcoming third studio album, to be released in 2021.[49][50]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak positions
AUS
[21]
NZ
[33]
US
[51]
US Dance
[52]
Run
  • Released: 20 March 2015
  • Record label: EMI Music Australia
6 12 1
Awake
  • Released: 6 April 2018
  • Record label: EMI Music Australia
7 14 88 1
Third studio album
  • Released: 2021
  • Record label:
to be released

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
Calm Down
  • Released: 27 June 2014
  • Record label: EMI Music Australia

As lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak positions Certification Album
AUS
[21]
NZ
Heat.

[53]
NZ
Hot

[54]
US
Dance

[55]
"Get Ready"
(featuring Fishing)[9]
2013 Non-album single
"I Want U" 2014 38 Calm Down
"Cold"
"U Don't Know"
(featuring Wayne Coyne)
2015 63 Run
"Run"
"Games"
"Messiah"[57]
(with M-Phazes)
2016 Non-album single
"Happy Place"[47] 2017 Awake
"Church"[58] 2018 54535
"No"[60] 744
"High"[61]
(featuring Trippie Redd)
18
"Easy"[62] 9
"Lost My Mind"
(with Dillon Francis)[63]
2019 23 Non-album singles
"Peace"[64] 1833
"Time"
(with Quix)[65]
"W.W.C.D.B."
(with phem)[66]
2020
"Bad Things"[67]
"Anything"
(with Valentino Khan)[68]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

As featuring artist

Title Year Album
"Bummed"[69]
(Chet Porter featuring Alison Wonderland)
2020 Non-album single

Remixes

2012

2014

2015

2017

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Alison Wonderland
Year Ceremony Recipient Category Result
2015 J Awards of 2015[78] Run Australian Album of the Year Nominated
ARIA Music Awards "U Don't Know" Best Video Nominated
"Run" Best Dance Release Nominated
2016 National Live Music Awards[79] Herself Live Electronic Act (or DJ) of the Year Nominated
2017 Electronic Music Awards Herself New Artist of the Year Won
2017 George FM Georgie Awards Herself Artist of the Year Won
2018 ARIA Music Awards Herself Best Female Artist Nominated
Awake Best Dance Release Nominated
2018 Billboard Dance Herself Breakout Artist Won

See also

References

  1. Alison Wonderland. allmusic.com
  2. Jordan Calvano (19 May 2015). "Alison Wonderland Gets A Stunning Future Bass Remix (Premiere)". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  3. Murray, Gordon (19 April 2018). "Alison Wonderland's 'Awake' Arrives at No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums". billboard.com. Billboard.
  4. Newstead, Al (1 April 2018). "Alison Wonderland on being the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history". triple j. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  5. "Revealed: Lost My Mind with Alison Wonderland and Dillon Francis". RaveHackers.com. Rave Hackers. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  6. "'Thy New Sound' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 11 November 2017. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' or 'Performer:'
  7. Shuttleworth, Will (27 September 2017). "'I Want U' to Celebrate Alison Wonderland's Birthday!". EDM.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017. Note: celebrates her 31st birthday.
  8. Au, Christopher Kevin (27 September 2016). "Happy Birthday Alison Wonderland: Our Favourite Moments on the Road, Caught on Camera". Life Without Andy. Mitch Tomlinson, Mitch Ross. Retrieved 12 November 2017. Note: celebrates her 30th birthday.
  9. Jeffries, David. "Alison Wonderland | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  10. Scibberas, Dominic (July 2012). "Interview Alison Wonderland". Purple Sneakers. Emma Jones, Martin Novosel. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  11. McCabe, Kathy (15 March 2015). "DJ Alison Wonderland joins pop's party". The Herald Sun. News Limited. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  12. Bain, Katie (3 February 2017). "The Night I Fell in Love with Dance Music: Alison Wonderland". Insomniac. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  13. Flynn, Thomas (24 March 2015). "Album Review: Alison Wonderland – Run (2015 LP)". the AU review. Heath Media. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  14. "Alison Wonderland speaks up about mental health, emotional abuse: 'I was completely disintegrating'". Dancing Astronaut. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  15. Alison Wonderland: Escaping your lowest point, retrieved 3 April 2020
  16. yokarpow (7 May 2018). "Alison Wonderland Speaks Out For First Time About Attempting Suicide & Finding Her Happy Place". Your EDM. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  17. "Alison Wonderland cancels shows due to "extreme mental & physical exhaustion"". The Music Network. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  18. Dave, Sneha. "Alison Wonderland's Remix Of Sam Sparro's 'I Wish I Never Met You'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  19. Falcona (2012). "Parklife 2012 – On Tour with Alison Wonderland". Vimeo. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  20. Payne, Lauren (September 2012). "Listen: Ladyhawke 'Blue Eyes' (Alison Wonderland Remix)". Purple Sneakers. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  21. Australian Chart positions:
  22. "'Get Ready (feat. Fishing)' – Single". iTunes. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  23. "ACE Repertory – Performer Alison Wonderland Title 'Get Ready'". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 13 November 2017. Note: user may have to enter the title/performer for other tracks to access further information.
  24. Fuamoli, Sosefina (26 August 2014). "the AU interview: Russell Fitzgibbon of Fishing (Sydney) on Tailoring Shy Glow for Live Audiences, Touring with Broken Bones and More!". the AU review. Heath Media. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  25. "Alison Wonderland Warns 'Don't Label Me a Female DJ'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  26. Baroni, Nastassia (27 March 2014). "Alison Wonderland Announces 'Warehouse Project Tour'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  27. "ACE Repertory – Performer Alison Wonderland Title 'I Want You'". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 13 November 2017. Note: user may have to enter the title/performer for other tracks to access further information.
  28. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
  29. "Alison Wonderland – debut album Run OUT NOWAlison Wonderland". Alisonwonderland.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  30. Jeffries, David. "Run – Alison Wonderland | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 November 2017. Note: additional information is available at tabs, e.g. Credits.
  31. Carley, Brennan (10 February 2015). "Alison Wonderland and Christopher Mintz-Plasse Get Physical in 'U Don't Know' Video". Spin. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  32. Alison Wonderland – 'U Don't Know ft. Wayne Coyne'. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016 via YouTube.
  33. "Alison Wonderland discography". charts.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  34. Spence, K. "Alison Wonderland's Debut Album Brings Diversity". Your EDM. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  35. Alison Wonderland – 'Take It to Reality ft. SAFIA'. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016 via YouTube.
  36. Alison Wonderland – 'Games'. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016 via YouTube.
  37. "2015 ARIA Awards – Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  38. "ARIA Awards". Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  39. "1–100 List – Hottest 100 2015". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  40. Admin (14 May 2017). "Alison Wonderland feat. Lido – 'Messiah (Havok Roth and Kayoh Remix)'". Powerbeatsclub.net. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  41. Lee, Valerie (2 December 2016). "Alison Wonderland shares 'Messiah' with M-Phazes – News". Mixmag. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  42. "Twitter". Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  43. McGraw, Euan. "Top 100 DJs". DJ Mag. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  44. Murphy, Sam (9 November 2017). "Alison Wonderland Drops Heavy New Banger 'Happy Place'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  45. Bein, Kat (9 November 2017). "Alison Wonderland Conjures a 'Happy Place' for Anyone Who's Ever Struggled With Depression". Billboard.
  46. Alisha Mughal, "TIFF Review: 'Underplayed' Highlights EDM's Diversity Problem — and Shows Why It's So Important to Fix It". Exclaim!, September 16, 2020.
  47. "Alison Wonderland Returns With Trippy Video For New Single "Bad Things"". u Discover Music. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  48. Dale, Jessica Dale & Wall, Sam (21 January 2020). "We've Got a Big Year Ahead of Us - These Are the Albums That Will Define 2021". The Music. Retrieved 26 January 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  50. "Alison Wonderland – Chart History: Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  51. Peaks on the NZ Heatseeker Singles chart:
  52. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  53. "Alison Wonderland Chart History: Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  54. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  55. "Messiah – Single by Alison Wonderland & M-Phazes on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  56. Fleisher, Grace (1 February 2018). "Alison Wonderland releases emotive new track and video for 'Church' ahead of forthcoming album". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  57. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  58. https://open.spotify.com/track/4X23e7zuUkQvn2k6nvJwYc?si=IOjZlr-cQJuUYXuYEoFDZA
  59. Ochoa, John (2 March 2018). "Alison Wonderland Drops New Track and Video, 'High': Watch". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  60. "Alison Wonderland releases 'Easy' music video". Music Insight. 4 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  61. "Lost My Mind – Single by Alison Wonderland & Dillon Francis on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  62. "Peace – Single by Alison Wonderland". iTunes Store. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  63. "Time – Single by Alison Wonderland". iTunes Store. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  64. "W.W.C.D.B." Apple Music. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
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  67. Stack, Chris (5 March 2020). "Chet Porter and Alison Wonderland are 'Bummed' on psychedelic new collaboration". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  68. Darke, Brayden (27 January 2012). "Listen: Alison Wonderland Remixes 360 Song 'Boys Like You'". Music Feeds.
  69. Darke, Brayden (30 March 2012). "Listen: Alison Wonderland Little Dragon 'Shuffle A Dream' Remix". Music Feeds.
  70. "Premiere: Crooked Colours – Come Down (Alison Wonderland Remix)". Stoney Roads. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  71. "Ocean Drive (Remixes) by Duke Dumont on Apple Music". iTunes (UK), Apple Music. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  72. Murray, Robin (8 September 2015). "Premiere: Hermitude – 'The Buzz' (Alison Wonderland Remix)". Clash.
  73. Rishty, David (17 December 2015). Alison Wonderland Remixes Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean'. Billboard.
  74. Bein, Kat (26 February 2017). Alison Wonderland & Lido Remix Each Other's Songs 'Crazy' and 'Messiah': Listen. Billboard.
  75. New Rules (Alison Wonderland Remix) – Single by Dua Lipa on Apple Music. iTunes (AUS), Apple Music. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  76. "The J Award 2015". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  77. "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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