Alya Michelson

While in Russia, Michelson covered breaking news as well as business, politics, and the military as a special news correspondent for RIA Novosti.[2] Fluent in Japanese, she was initially based in Moscow, and later reported from Tokyo. As a journalist, she reported on stories such as the Kursk submarine disaster and the Beslan school siege.[8] She also contributed to the independent newspaper, Kommersant, and served as a freelance correspondent for the state TV channel, Vesti (Russia 24).[9]

Michelson enrolled at Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 2006. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Economics in 2008, and subsequently served as the spokesperson for the vice chairman of a State legislative body in the ruling assembly of Russia.[10][11]

Michelson continued to compose music and sing while working as a journalist and public relations officer. In Tokyo, she co-founded and performed with the experimental group Japanica.[12] In 2018 -- by then living in Los Angeles -- she independently released her first single, "Animals",[13] and directed the music video for the song, which won an award at Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood.[14] She followed "Animals" with “Half of the Sun"[15] and "Puppet Strings."[16] "Puppet Strings" hit the Top 10 on the Euro Indie Music Chart and the Independent Airplay Chart.[17] "Animals" won a second Best Music Video award at the California Women's Film Festival in January 2019.[18] She released her debut album, Ten Years of Solitude, in February 2019;[3] in April, it was nominated for four 2019 Independent Music Awards, including Best Electronic Album.[19]

Michelson's single, "American Beauty", was released in October 2019. Produced by Bill Schnee, a Dave Aude remix of the track charted on the Billboard dance club charts, peaking at #15 in February 2020. [20][21] (subscription required)