Ali Pips
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Ali Pips

Portland, Maine, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2019 | INDIE | AFM

Portland, Maine, United States | INDIE | AFM
Established on Jan, 2019
Solo Alternative Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Ali Pips - Black Dahlia Smile Me"

Jazz Pianist Ali Pips and vocalist Dominique Lenore Persi have come together to produce one of the purest New Orleans jazz tracks I’ve heard in a while. Ali Pips is a multi-instrumentalist from Rhode Island, but she began Suzuki method piano lessons at age 4. She learned New Orleans jazz from her father and this, combined with her classical training is most intriguing. Using an eclectic approach, Ali Pips is able to switch between genres with ease. This is quite evident in Black Dahlia Smile Me. The instruments begin slow to follow more classical scales and approaches, but when all the instruments erupt into a chorus of their own, the Jazz and Blues scales and notes completely catch you off guard in the best way possible. Each instrument plays an important role, but the piano and wind instruments stand out the most. It’s hard to categorise Ali Pips into any one genre because of how easily she can switch between them (It would probably be easier to list out the various elements involved instead). Pips’ production work is almost gothic, neo-noir jazz that could probably stand on its own, but the addition of Persi’s strong vocals elevates this track to a level that should be recognised. Persi’s vocals provide the added depth and emotion that we probably would have missed out on should Pips have released Black Dahlia Smile Me as one of her instrumental tracks. Ali Pips is perhaps an artist that has her own unique style that deserves its own category because of how inimitable it is, but she prefers the term Avant Rock. I, honestly, cannot express how amazed I am by the intricacies of this track and all can say is go stream it now! - Sinusoidal Music


"Black Dahlia Smile Me by Ali Pips"

The classy Armenian-Russian writer Vera Nazarian once said “If Music is a Place -- then Jazz is the City, Folk is the Wilderness, Rock is the Road, Classical is a Temple.” I believe nothing better than her words to describe the beauty of Ali Pips's latest masterpiece Black Dahlia Smile Me.

First of all, how do you describe a track as a masterpiece? Simply, you check all the elements of the track and take a deeper look at harmony, tightness, melody, composition, arrangement, and of course along with lyrics, singing, and the final mixing/mastering retouches, once you find all these elements then you've got the masterpiece. 'Black Dahlia Smile Me' is featuring Dominique Lenore Persi and from her upcoming album ‘Professional Killer’ which will be released on Friday, July 9, 2021 on all streaming music platforms. This track especially proves her vocal and songwriting abilities With the vocal presence of Madonna, the fearless attitude of Fiona Apple, and an adventurous spirit all her own, Ali Pips has created a strange and wonderful masterpiece. Ali was very keen to choose the best of the best, her band includes Dave Monsey on bass (Fiona Apple, Edie Brickell), Stevie Salas on guitar (Rod Stewart, Justin Timberlake), and Gil Sharone on drums (Stolen Babies, Team Sleep), and also features an appearance from Stolen Babies’ Dominique Lenore Persi, and with such a lineup you can find diversity, originality, and professionalism, which is definitely not something you gonna see nowadays. Presave and get your copy here. - Rock Era Magazine


"ALI PIPS: NEW SINGLE "BLACK DAHLIA SMILE ME" RELEASED"

American singer and multi-instrumentalist Ali Pips released her new single, "Black Dahlia Smile Me," on May 21. Mixing elements of Metal, Rock and Jazz, the song, which features dominique Lenore Persi (Stolen Babies), will be present on his debut album, titled "Professional Killer", which will feature 8 songs and will be released on July 9. You can check out "Black Dahlia Smile Me" at the link below. - Roadie Metal


"“Professional Killer”: New Album by Portland-Based Musician Ali Pips"

(Portland, ME) The larger than life new album from Portland-based pianist/singer/songwriter Ali Pips is part jazz and part heavy metal guitars … and pure theatrical madness. Pips’ “Professional Killer” delves deep into Gothic imagery and warped Americana to create an all immersive experience.

Equally versed in explorative progressive rock, classical piano, and radio ready pop, Ali Pips has spent the past few decades making a name for herself as a versatile multi-instrumentalist and dynamic performer. Now she is stepping into the spotlight for the first time. The resulting album is an eight track journey full of memorable melodies, dissonant breakdowns, and genuine moments of discovery.

Recording in Austin, TX with multi-platinum producer Kevin 131 Gutierrez and Grammy winning mastering engineer Chris Athens, Ali recruited an all-star cast of artists to bring her complex vision to life. Her band includes Dave Monsey on bass (Fiona Apple, Edie Brickell), Stevie Salas on guitar (Rod Stewart, Justin Timberlake), and Gil Sharone on drums (Stolen Babies, Team Sleep), and also features an appearance from Stolen Babies’ Dominique Lenore Persi. Together they create a mesmerizing wall of sound befitting Ali’s eclectic storytelling.

From the frantic piano of opener “Arsons Lullaby” to the apocalyptic funk of “Vicious Ballet”, every track takes on a distinctive life of its own. The title track reveals Ali’s gift for traditional balladry, while “Black Dahlia Smile Me” proves she can shred with the best of them. With the vocal presence of Madonna, the fearless attitude of Fiona Apple, and an adventurous spirit all her own, Ali Pips has created a strange and wonderful masterpiece.

“Professional Killer” will be released on July 9, 2021 on all streaming music platforms and is currently available for pre-sale on iTunes.

For more information please visit www.alipipsmusic.com or www.facebook.com/alipipsmusic. - Maine Art Scene Magazine


"Ali Pips – Black Dahlia Smile Me"

Pianist and composer Ali Pips went through a long creative journey full of search and experimentation until she came together with Dominique Lenore Persito create a true masterpiece of avant-garde rock. This single is called 'Black Dahlia Smile Me' and it has absorbed all the skill and professionalism of the musical team who worked on this work.

The song 'Black Dahlia Smile Me' is nothing like anything and only one this fact speaks of the high bar set by the musicians. Ali Pips studied classical piano as a child and took many things from the baggage of knowledge of her father who was a professional musician.

In the song 'Black Dahlia Smile Me' Ali also sings and her vocals organically fall into the cascades of rock cabaret. Progressive music changes its structure many times, creating a kaleidoscope of images and a whirlwind of melodies. Groove funk, jazz progressions, rock guitars and avant-garde expression are all present in this one song and it's hard to describe in one style or word. Progressive music by Ali Pips with elements of rock and pop styles will be remembered for a long time. Listen to her single 'Black Dahlia Smile Me' below on Spotify. - Indie Dock Music Blog


Discography

"Professional Killer" by Ali Pips (2021)

Produced by Kevin '131' Gutierrez and Ali Pips

Engineered and Mixed by Kevin '131' Gutierrez at Assembly Line Studios in Austin, TX

Mastered by Chris Athens in Austin, TX

Artwork and Design by Rob Micallef - www.whatdoesrobmake.com

Photography by Meraki Portrait

Music and Lyrics by Ali Pips

All songs © ℗ 2021 Ali Pips, Asson Records LLC.  All Rights Reserved.

Photos

Bio

A classically trained pianist with deep roots in jazz and rock, singer/songwriter Ali Pips blends eccentric, progressive compositions with heartfelt lyricism to create her signature theatrical sound. She is a multi-instrumentalist (also a guitarist) known for effortlessly changing genres, and her wide variety of musical influences are evident in her songwriting.  With the release of her 2021 full length debut ‘Professional Killer,’ she has established herself as an inimitable artist with a unique blend of Avant rock.  

Ali was born in Rhode Island and began Suzuki method piano lessons at the age of four.  At the same time, she started learning New Orleans jazz from her father, who was an accomplished pianist of the style.  The combination of practicing both Mozart and Jelly Roll Morton every night were Ali's first experiences in crossing genres, and as she grew up she quickly became immersed in Providence’s thriving experimental music scene. After a few years on the Providence prog rock circuit, she relocated to Washington DC where she joined hard rockers Rome In A Day as lead guitarist/backing vocalist. 

In RIAD, she was able to lend her progressive rock background to composition, and soon afterwards the band began to tour nationally and internationally; their overseas travel being with Armed Forces Entertainment, the entertainment agency for the United States Department of Defense.  The band released two albums: "From HereAfter..." (2009) and "Rise" (2011), both produced and engineered by multi-platinum awarded producer Kevin '131' Gutierrez (Paul McCartney, Shinedown, Inaba/Salas) at Assembly Line Studios in Virginia.

For Ali’s 2021 full length debut, she went back to Kevin Gutierrez, now based in Austin, TX, and together they created a truly one of a kind record.  Armed with an all-star cast of characters - Dave Monsey on bass (Fiona Apple, Edie Brickell), Stevie Salas on guitar (Rod Stewart, Justin Timberlake) and Gil Sharone on drums (Marilyn Manson, Stolen Babies, Team Sleep)  - Ali crafted a piano-centric, wild mashup of moody NOLA jazz, rock and funk, featuring heavy metal guitars sprinkled over classical melodies.  From the frantic piano of opener ‘Arsons Lullaby’ to the apocalyptic funk of ‘Vicious Ballet,’ every track takes on a distinctive life of its own.

Band Members