PREMIERE : Alina Cherone - 'A Reason'
ALINA CHERONE GIVES US ‘A REASON’ TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND EMBRACE OUR VULNERABILITIES, EVEN WHEN THE WORLD IS SPINNING AROUND US.
By Theresa Campanella & Fiona Grey 
Alina Cherone is back with a new single ‘A Reason,’ a cinematic journal entry, singing the words we needed to hear. With a voice as smooth as butter, she manages to be equally vulnerable while still maintaining a sleek and glossy production. Lyrically laced with self-doubt and the desire to overcome our daily anxieties, we’re not sure if we want to cry or sing along. We are happy to premiere Alina Cherone’s new track and hear in her own words what motivated her to create this soothing, yet powerful piece.
We had the chance to chat with Alina Cherone on her new single “A Reason” and here’s what she had to say:
We’re psyched about your upcoming release of ‘A Reason’! It feels like a cinematic diary entry! What can you tell us about the initial inspiration for writing this song?
That’s exactly what it is! Musically this song was inspired by Donny Hathaway’s ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free”. I heard the power and conviction in his message and thought “Man, 2020 needs a song like this”. I wrote ‘A reason’ while in quarantine and it’s pretty much about my relationship with time and how it affects my perception of the world, myself and others.
What was it like to work on this single during these monumental times? Did current events shape this song in any way?
Honestly, being forced to quarantine turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Before everything broke out, I was already in a manic state. It had been a year since I moved from Philly to LA, rent was getting high, and I was so far from where I wanted to be in my career. ‘A Reason’ is a response to what happened when I finally got the chance to stop and remember all that I had done and the people who cheered for me along the way.
You discuss your struggles with anxiety, but the need to speak out and remain active in the current climate. How has releasing this song empowered you and what do you hope will be a listener’s takeaway?
I believe that everyone in this generation has some level of anxiety. We want to see swift change in the world and that’s justified! But sometimes we direct that same push inwards and are less forgiving of ourselves when we fail. I hope listeners can find solace in knowing that they’re not alone in feeling alone and that it’s ok to not be exactly where you’d hoped to be in this very moment. By drowning out the voices in my head with a song that says “I’m only a soul and I remember where to go”, I’ve empowered and reconnected with myself.
What are the ways that growing up in Philly has shaped your sound?
I actually grew up in a small town in New Jersey, close to Philly, but I believe it’s the reason why I’m such a diverse singer. I didn’t have voice lessons during my teens so I pretty much had to learn certain singing techniques on my own. In Jersey, I had the freedom and space to give singing my undivided attention and to obsess over music that not everybody was into at the time.
Did you work on this track with your boyfriend Phil Smith? How do you balance those different types of partnerships?
Phil mixed this track but I produced and wrote it on my own. This was the first time I’ve ever confidently claimed the role of producer and I‘m so glad I did. I find it easier to balance my producer-songwriter relationship with Phil now that I’ve proven to myself that I am capable of creating the music that I want. When I work with him in the future I can appreciate his aesthetic without it compromising my own.
We’re big musical theater lovers here at Valley Doll and heard you went to school practicing theater and acting. How has your background in musical theater benefitted your career as a musician? (Bonus Question: What is your favorite musical?)
Thespians unite! Man, going to school for Musical theater really opened up my point of view of storytelling. In school we had to know everything about our character and what all of their dreams and fears were. I approach songwriting that same way, almost as if I’m writing for a musical.
Oh and my favorite musical is Into the Woods!
Any final plugs -
Well ‘A Reason’ is a single off of my upcoming EP ‘We Forget’. There are five tracks, three of which I produced and the rest are awesome arrangements by Phillip Smith. I should be releasing them a month from now and I can’t wait for you all to hear!