Alice Pisano, an upcoming, critically acclaimed artist released her first EP Celebrate Life in 2018, attracting huge interest from critics and fans alike. Since then, the popularity of her music has since continued to skyrocket and now she’s back to give us a fix of comfort for those summertime blues via new single “September.” The track touches on the bittersweet feelings of the fall period; it’s simple, elegant and truly moving; raw vocals and a beautiful piano backdrop make it a heart-tugging ballad. PopWrapped caught up with Pisano to talk things live music, life and her advice for those who hate the approaching winter.

How does it feel to have “September” out in the world?

Releasing a new song always feels like a bit of a relief to me, otherwise I’d continue making endless tweaks to it and driving my producer crazy…

What was the creative process for the track like? What sparked it off?

It was nearly September at the time and I always find there’s a sort of sweet melancholy about this time of year, which I tried to capture. And I was going through a painful break-up; it was at the point where I was doing everything I could to forget this person, but everything reminded me of him. The lyrics for this song just poured out of me…then I sat at the piano and wrote the music. Some songs take forever to write but this one came out so easily, perhaps because I felt an urgency to write it.

You worked alongside John Foyle (Years & Years, Maisie Peters) on this track – what was your experience like working with him?

I love working with John! We’ve worked together a lot recently, mainly remotely due to lockdown, and he also produced two of my other singles that I released this year. He’s a fresh, versatile producer – and very patient!

September” melts the summer and autumn together. What are your favourite parts of summertime?

Long warm evenings, drinking Aperol spritz in the sun, going on hikes in the mountains, eating chocolate ice-cream on a hot afternoon, swimming in the sea…

Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it and what advice would you give to anyone dealing with this?

I have felt uninspired before. I’d still be able to come up with stuff but I didn’t think it was any good, which is maybe the same thing?! The advice I would give is try and take ideas from a book or film, sometimes a word or a phrase can spark a song concept. I also find that listening to new music can be very inspiring – and I’m not suggesting stealing ideas! – but sometimes deciding which mood/style/tempo you’re going for makes it easier to create than just having a clean slate.

Do you think anything you were watching/reading/listening to altered your creative choices when making “September”?

For this one, I don’t think so. I kind of always wanted to have an intimate piano ballad where the production could be kept simple, sparse and bare. I didn’t have another song like this.

Who would you say are your top three, biggest inspirations in music?

Coldplay, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell.

The end of the year is fast approaching – do you have any autumn or winter gigs lined up?

I’m playing Liverpool Sound City on the 2nd of October, and supporting Astraea at Servant Jazz Quarters in London on the 14th.

Lastly, what one piece of advice would you give to anyone dreading the winter months?

There’s so many lovely things, like in every season! Wearing warm jumpers, cozy afternoons reading a book/watching a film under the blanket, the autumn colours, chestnuts, a lit fireplace…

Give “September” a listen below and for more information on Alice Pisano, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.