Meet audalei | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with audalei and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi audalei, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I grew up acting and singing but transitioned into working a 9-5 job in social services because I wanted to make an impact in the lives of kids. The job was rewarding at times but very draining, heartbreaking and stressful. In an incident at work, I suffered a pretty serious head injury and that was a turning point. I decided to do something more light hearted with my life. I started writing songs and recording myself like I used to in my bedroom years before. I immediately fell in love again. I then did something insanely bold and I moved to Los Angeles to be surrounded by artists. Although I was broke at first (and wrote the song “20 SOMETHiNG”), it’s the best decision I made. I feel healthiest and happiest when I’m being creative.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m very excited about my next single “IDONTCARE”! It’s a song that makes me want to dance, scream, and jump around. My favorite lyrics in the song are “It’s embarrassing – what you mean to me” and the chorus which goes “I don’t care, cause you don’t care”. I think it encapsulates the frustration and shame in unreciprocated love. It’s so humiliating to care about someone more than they care about you.

My journey getting to where I am today wasn’t easy but it was mostly enjoyable. I’ve really been focused on my mindset the last couple years because I can either be (excuse the metaphor) climbing a mountain stressed, and anxious that I won’t make it to the top, or I can climb with an optimism that it’ll be an adventure and i’ll get where I’m going. It’s been unpredictable at times but I wouldn’t change it because there has been so much positivity along the way.

I’d say I got to where I am today by going out to events, concerts, parties and supporting and encouraging other talented artists, I genuinely love making friends and I’ve made a great circle of friends who cheer each other on.

I just want to make people happy. I speak as authentically as I can and present myself on social media pretty transparently without filters or a facade because I want to connect on a real level with people. Hopefully my honesty makes people feel like they aren’t alone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, we’re drinking a coffee on my roof…sunsets are great there too. There’s a view of all of LA and it’s incredible. We thrift at Sunday’s Best Vintage and American Vintage cause you can always find some banging shirts or denim there. While we’re in the vicinity of Monty’s Good Burger, we should probably get some tater tots. Then hop on a little electric scooter for the aesthetic…it’s super fun to race around on those-with a helmet obviously. We’d hit the Silverlake Lounge or Non Plus Ultra for some punk rock shows. Later we’d go to MOM’s Venue and Moroccan Lounge for some indie pop. At some time after 6pm we’d have to get tacos at “Estillo Tijuana Angels Tacos” on Sunset Blvd. I’d bring you to some parties in Glassell Park/Highland park and we’d end the night with Winchell’s Donuts because it’s open 24 hours and the vibes are impeccable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m convinced you’re either gassed up as a kid with every adult telling you you’re a star or you’re traumatized as a kid because one person said you were a bad “______”.

I had some early experiences that led me to think I wasn’t a good singer but I loved it regardless and would sing quietly in private. When I first started writing songs again over the pandemic, I had a lot of self doubt and fear that I wasn’t good enough. I would show my music to my friends and cringe as they listened because I was so critical of my work.

I had a therapist who changed my relationship to my own music slowly. The first demo I showed her, she teared up. For whatever reason that was a big moment for me. I knew she couldn’t fake cry. She listened carefully to more and more of my music and I really believed her when she said she believed in me. I later wrote a song (“atleast my therapist thinks im cool”) about this therapist. So shoutout to my therapist!

But I’d also like to shoutout the next person on my journey to really make an impact, Tyler Gardosh. Tyler was one of my first connections in LA and they became my manager after challenging me to write 30 songs in 30 days. We sat on my carpet in my studio as they listened intently to all these demos almost a year ago. They always encouraged me to make authentic art. Together we planned my releases, shot album art, made tiktok content and came up with goals for where I’m headed next. They’ve been nothing but support and I feel so grateful to have met them in my early days in this city.

Website: ffm.bio/audalei

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audalei/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@audalei

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@audalei.hee.hooo

Image Credits
Jade Sadler (first pic), Emily Whiting (Concert pics)