[Exclusive] Alison Wonderland Talks Whyte Fang, FMU Records & More

With a monstrous 2022 which included the release of her third studio album Loner, the singles “Girl,” “333,” and “TIDES,” coming from her Whyte Fang alias in addition to launching FMU Records now in the rearview mirror, Alison Wonderland looks to hit the ground running and leaving her mark on 2023. Her work ethic is in a league of its own, and there is certainly no denying it while being able to juggle all of this while continuing to have quite the tour schedule.

Still buzzing off her freshly launched record label’s debut release coming from Jon Casey and Dabow in the form of “I Surrender,” the sophomore offering from the label “Transport God” serves as the fourth single of Whyte Fang’s forthcoming debut album.

Being a TSS fan favorite from day one, supporting the Australian talent from the earliest days of her career well before headlining the biggest festivals and venues across the globe, we felt the timing was just right to catch up with our favorite cello player to discuss Whyte Fang, FMU Records and everything in between.

Check out our exclusive interview with Alison Wonderland below!

Whyte Fang – Transport God |

TSS: You’ve been releasing music for just about a decade now – what are some changes you’ve noticed over the years?

Alison Wonderland: I think the biggest change I’ve noticed is how music is getting released online compared to when I started. I think it’s a lot more difficult now for up-and-coming artists to be seen. I feel like a lot of artists are expected to be content creators as well as musicians. I think Spotify and Apple Music have also changed the scene a lot and people are still working out how to maneuver around it.

TSS: How has the bass music scene, specifically, changed since then, in your opinion?

Alison Wonderland: I just think every scene has evolved. I always say this, I think the kids that are making music in their bedrooms, the up-and-comers, are making the most innovative, exciting stuff. It feels no different now than it did when I was discovering artists 10 years ago. I love that there is more accessibility to creative musical programs. I think that it’s easier to start making music than it was back then because there are so many more ways to do it electronically. I get really excited when I hear someone experimenting and pushing the envelope.

TSS: How would you say your sound has evolved since first popping onto the scene with your remixes of Little Dragon and Sam Sparro?

Alison Wonderland: I’m not really sure, I just became more comfortable with being myself. I got to know my voice, my songwriting, and my production a lot more. That happens with every artist. When I listen to my old songs, even before I was officially releasing under Alison Wonderland I can still hear myself. I still think I have a sound.

TSS: What has been the key to success and longevity?

Alison Wonderland: I think just being myself. I don’t ever want to do what’s in fashion at the moment, I want to do what speaks to me.

TSS: Speaking of producing, what hardware and software do you use these days?

Alison Wonderland: I am on Ableton, I use a lot of soft synths like Diva, Omnisphere, Sylenth, and Serum. You name it, I use it. I like the fact that technology is constantly evolving so I love wasting my money on new plugins. I’m a huge fan of the iZotope plugins, I use them a lot. I also have an Access Virus TI2 Polar which I’ve used for a really long time which is the main hardware. If we’re speaking hardware, I have a really nice mic which is a Manly Reference Microphone. I also have an OP-1 synth that I like to play around with, it’s really fun. Then, obviously my cello.

TSS: When you have a rough week or hit a wall creatively, how do you get back on track?

Alison Wonderland: I just keep going and I don’t feel guilty about it. I just have to keep moving forward. I don’t let myself get buried in that and I just move on.

TSS: What words of wisdom do you have for up-and-coming producers looking to make their presence felt but feel overwhelmed having to juggle all these platforms?

Alison Wonderland: Just keep creating, it doesn’t happen overnight. The beauty of being an up-and-coming artist is that you have time, no one is really waiting for your next release right now. So just keep experimenting and pushing yourself and really getting to know yourself and eventually, it will happen. You have to be okay with it not happening straight away.

TSS: 2022 saw the release of your third studio album Loner in addition to the return of your alias Whyte Fang making its return which included a headline show in Los Angeles. Why did you feel the timing was right to revive your alias?

Alison Wonderland: Why not.

TSS: Now, the OG Wonderland fam are quite familiar with Whyte Fang dating back to 2010, but for anyone just getting introduced to the name, can you tell us the inspiration and creative process behind the project?

Alison Wonderland: I want to just use this as an outlet for me to put out weird beats that don’t really get the attention when I’m putting out songs with my Alison project. A lot of these song ideas were created from start to finish in a day because I wanted to capture the mood I was feeling that day. That’s something that I really enjoy doing because I honestly just trust the process of how I’m feeling that day. It’s going to be more industrial. You’ll still hear Alison Wonderland in the music because of course, it’s me. It’s just going to be the parts that aren’t highlighted when I’m singing so many songs that are getting pushed to the forefront with my Alison project so I wanted a place for them. I wanted to create a performance piece that was really special to go along with it. I’m really proud of the live show that we’ve done for Whyte Fang.

TSS: Whyte Fang also has a debut album on the way; what can the electronic dance music community expect from your forthcoming body for work?

Alison Wonderland: You’ll just have to listen to it :)

TSS: The album will be released on your freshly launched FMU Records. Give us the scoop on how your record label came to be and why you felt now was the time to get into the label game.

Alison Wonderland: I just wanted to give a platform to up-and-coming artists and help them feel like they’re controlling their narrative again. I feel like it’s hard these days to do that. Because I already have a reach with my social media, I want to use that to help musicians that I absolutely love and that I think deserve all of the attention.

TSS: Is there a new sense of responsibility for you now when it comes to label releases?

Alison Wonderland: Yeah, I just want to make sure that artists feel heard. I never want them to feel like other artists have felt in the past with major labels.

TSS: What do you look for in production for it to get a final FMU Records stamp of approval and get signed?

Alison Wonderland: If it speaks to me I want to sign it, that’s it.

TSS: You’re always up to something. After having a monstrous 2022, what can the world expect from Alison Wonderland and Whyte Fang in 2023?

Alison Wonderland: Well, because I’m always up to something, I like the element of surprise so I’m just going to have to keep surprising you, won’t I? But just know I’m not slowing down.

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