"To Be Honest", track by track by Alice Dallin
ABOUT THE EP:
Writing To Be Honest was like therapy for me. I was in a very reflective period in my life, unpacking emotions and experiences I had buried for years which felt easier to express through music. I wanted both the music and songwriting to be authentic and evoke a cinematic-soul feel with soaring strings and baritone guitars.
This collection of songs dives deep into the human experience and is a journey through self-reflection, social anxiety, heartbreak, family and grief, capturing the essence of our most vulnerable moments. I’m hoping that each track will resonate with people on a personal level, offering solace and understanding in times of turmoil.
DO I EVER CROSS YOUR MIND?:
I wrote this song about a breakup and how that person haunts your mind. Everything reminds you of them and you're wondering if they're feeling the same. The track has quite a melancholy feel to it which is reflected in the lyrics and heightened by the music, which was inspired by artists such as Amy Winehouse “Back to Black”, Lana Del Rey “Born to Die” and Portishead “Glory Box.”
BLOODLINE:
Bloodline was the first song I wrote for this project and set the precedent for how I wanted the whole EP to feel and sound. It’s a song about family, understanding why we are the way we are and the emotional trauma passed down through generations. I wanted to explore how the echoes of our ancestors' struggles shape our present and future. It also brings to light the hidden wounds within family bonds, and how we are all flawed in some way. I hope it allows people to reflect, heal, and break the cycle for the next generation.
PRESSURE:
As the rest of the songs on the EP are quite “big” sounding, I wanted Pressure to feel more intimate to suit the subject matter. Musically it was inspired by Erykah Badu, with its strong baseline and neo-soul groove.
Pressure delves into the inner world of someone who experiences social anxiety and the societal pressures we face to fit in and be more outgoing. I wanted the song to capture the dichotomy between the desire for connection and the comfort found in solitude. The song is ultimately a journey towards self acceptance that encourages people to find their own peace and strength in who they are.
WHEREVER YOU ARE:
This is a very personal song about my Grandad, who sadly passed away when I was 8, but it is also a song for anyone who has lost someone. I’ve always wanted to write a song for him as he was so special to me, and now I finally have the words.
Julian (producer) started to play the opening chords on the piano in the studio and the lyrics and melody flowed instantly. We wanted to start the song stripped back and then switch up the tempo with more music as I reflect on all the happy memories of him.
The voice at the start is me watching hot air balloons aged 5 in my grandparents garden through binoculars - I absolutely loved the annual hot air balloon festival in Bristol, which is significant in the song and it feels like a sign that by chance I found that clip whilst looking through old footage.
Although I only knew my Grandad for 8 years, he left an incredible mark on my life.
WITHOUT HER:
This was the last song I worked on and it wasn’t initially going to be part of the EP. However, I loved the strings on the chorus and the overall vibe and message of the track, so had to include it.
It’s a song about learning to love and forgive our younger selves. We often shut them out as we’re ashamed or embarrassed by past mistakes or decisions we’ve made, but ultimately without them, you wouldn’t be who you are today. I think it’s important that we show our younger selves empathy and compassion as we are all trying to navigate life the best we can with the tools we have at the time.