You may not know Ali Handal's name, but you've probably heard her music.
Ali's songs have been featured both in films and many TV shows, including
Sex in the City, Joan of Arcadia, Dawson's Creek, several shows on MTV &
VH-1, and more.
Ali's songs have won prizes in several contests (John Lennon Songwriting
Contest, Unisong, ASCAP), and her music has been heard around the world from
airplanes (Northwest/KLM In-Flight Entertainment) to pop concerts in South
Africa (Ali's song "While You're Here" was recorded by a South African TV
star). And recently, Ali sang background vocals on Neil Young's 2006
anti-war CD, "Living With War."
So what inspires *funky*sexy*guitar*girl Ali Handal to roll out of her Los
Angeles area queen-size bed every morning? Usually, it's her cat Indy
meowing loudly in her ear, but that's a whole other story....
Ali quit taking piano lessons to pick up the guitar when, in 7th grade, she
got her first taste of Led Zeppelin. Blown away by Jimmy Page's explosive
riffs and the band's carnal grooves, Ali was determined to become involved
in rock n roll in any and every way she could.
Three guitar-playing boyfriends later, it struck Ali that perhaps it might
be better to BE in a rock band rather than just date all the guitar players
she knew (funny how her soloing wasn't improving), so she got serious about
mastering the instrument herself.
Fast forward a few years, and we find Ali exploring themes of passion, sex,
and life as an independent young woman on her debut CD Dirty Little Secret.
The songs range from aggressive funky rockers to tender ballads but are tied
together throughout by Ali's passionate, dynamic vocals and insightful
lyrics. Oh, yeah-and by her guitar playing-she played every guitar you hear
on the CD.
Her funky rhythm guitar style reveals influences such as John Frusciante
(Red Hot Chili Peppers) and James Brown, while her soloing explores the
blues-infused side of rock n roll, a la Slash, Jimmy Page and Joe Perry.
Ali's vocal inspirations range from the fervent breathy wails of ani
difranco to the dark, honeyed brooding of Fiona Apple.
With her newest CD, "Breathing Underwater," Ali taps into her softer side
with an intimate vocal delivery reminiscent of Norah Jones and Sarah
McLachlan, painted over lush acoustic guitar work (again, Ali plays all the
guitars you hear on the CD). Throughout the album, Ali creates a delicious
intimacy between artist and listener, treating the theme of love lost in her
uniquely bittersweet way, as well as offering up several atypical love songs
written for various members of her family.
As Ali consistently moves forward in her career, she continues to explore
themes of passion, sex, love, and the inner battle between fearless
independence and the longing for companionship that defines both Ali Handal
the person and Ali Handal the recording artist.
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