Here’s the dreamily-captivating new single from Alison Wilder (formerly known as Alison Rae). “Wilder” features gentle, tumbling keys over sustained notes – a subtle, beautiful instrumental foundation for Wilder’s sweetly melodic vocal. Her warm, tuneful voice is striking and seemingly effortless.
Wilder says of the video: “The making of the ‘Wilder’ video began over a year ago when I had the opportunity to start dreaming it up with Arena Dances Choreographer and director Matthew Janczewski. I was drawn to his work and in particular, dancers Leslie O’Neill and Dustin Haug. There is something so unspeakably beautiful about their chemistry as dancers and the beauty that is conveyed through their movement. When Matthew heard my song ‘Wilder’ for the first time he felt a connection to it and began to work with me and videographer Cully Gallagher to create a plan to film this collaboration. The result is something even more beautiful than I could have imagined… through dance they have embodied the feelings that I felt when I wrote the song.” Indeed, the dancers combine grace and strength in a compelling performance that relies on their collaboration and interdependence.
A childhood immersed in music led to Alison Wilder signing to Memphis label Ardent Records at the age of 18. She released well-regarded music, including her solo debut under the name Alison Rae in 2007, before she began to exhibit symptoms that would be diagnosed as Bipolar 2 in 2014. The impact on Wilder was profound and her musical output ceased.
After almost a decade away from music, Wilder began to write and sing again in 2023. On the way to recording a new album called “Wilder”, she has released a series of beautifully-arranged songs that showcase her ethereal voice. Recent single “Emily” and a cover of Gregory Alan Isakov’s “If I Go I’m Going” are particularly affecting and well-worth checking out.
