Madefire Interviews Composer
Ali Powers
Music makes *everything* better. And that’s especially true when it comes to Madefire’s Motion Books. Music and sound are a big part of what makes our reading experience unique and engaging. So for this blog post we interviewed multi-talented singer songwriter, composer, actor, artist and writer Ali Powers.
MF: You’re collaborating with Madefire right now—tell us what you’re doing and how you got involved.
AP: I’m currently scoring Madefire’s new title “The Engine.” It’s a story about a machine-man, written in a parallel present where communism has survived in Russia, and produced not only a rival to the iPad, but a man-shaped machine that assists the miners in extracting ore. He ends up being the hero of the piece.
As to how I got involved: I’ve known Madefire founder Liam Sharp and his wife—creator Christina McCormack—for many years. So a lucky break really. Right place, right time, clear week!
MF: What’s the most challenging part of creating theme music?
AP: It’s instinctual. So the hard part is remaining keyed-in. If I’m unclear, things come out more like a nerd asking the prom queen for a dance: instead of hitting the nail on the head, it’s a very sore thumb.
There are rules, but I don’t like rules. The rule is, people expect a certain mood from a specific scene. I like to play with where that can take me.
It’s interesting to see how a director or editor responds to my work, as it’s not always how I respond. So probably context, and keeping it without losing a genuine thread of myself.
MF: You’re a singer songwriter, composer, actor, artist and writer—from where do you draw inspiration?
AP: It’s odd, I used to feel the work was creating me in a way! Music attracts you to people, and vice versa, so I’ve had an odd journey. Mainly I just try to emote the feeling I’m having at that time. I used to have muses that I’d write to, now I’m just doing it for me.
I used to believe in fate, and destiny, now I believe in luck and opportunity.
As for acting, I like to make people laugh, so a lot of my performance tend to comedy.
And as for being a writer, I like to write universes where each part is mapped out in my head before pen meets paper. So I typically procrastinate, and have several projects I’m sitting on. Like most writers I know…
MF: You have an extremely eclectic approach to music, and an astonishing range—from soundtracks, to whimsy, to hard-core punk, rock, electronica, ballads… Which one most represents the real Ali Powers?
AP: The one I’m probably gonna do under a pseudonym, and not tell anyone about!
Honestly? They all represent the real me. My personality is how I feel and how I react, given what caused me to write. If I react in art, or music, then the end result can be fathomed. I think mostly the rest of the time, they bounce around in my brain like a fly against a window, waiting to pick up enough charge.
I wish I could tell you!
MF: You’ve accomplished a lot, but surely there is more you want to do—what is your dream project?
AP: Life! (It’s true. But it’d be a really f**king big list otherwise!)
Ali Powers lives in Derby, UK and has worked with filmmakers, artists, writers and musicians on a wide variety of projects. He currently performs both with alt garage rock band Hot Japanese Girl and solo with his melancholic ballads and humorous songs.
Madefire’s Motion Book “The Engine,” by Jimmy Broxton and Guy Adams, hits iPads everywhere in August.