The Artist Explains: ALSNDRA - 'V!BR8T0R'
Toronto based artist Alsndra speaks to us about her Alice in Wonderland inspired visuals for forward thinking trap meets hip hop single, ‘V!BR8T0R’, which is an ode to sexual liberation and independence.
Where was the video for ‘V!BR8T0R’ filmed?
The video was filmed across several locations in and around Ontario including Toronto art installation pop up spaces The Funhouse and EyeCandy, as well as an enchanted light tunnel located in Brockville, ON.
How does the video connect with the song?
I like to tell stories with my visual projects, where one video leaks into the next video and the audience can begin to see a representation of my journey through life. With my first visual project, My Way, my fans become introduced to me after going through a heavy break up and life not working out the way I thought it would for me. I had to put work into myself and develop a stronger thicker skin to carry forward. That character led me into a higher version of self, and that to me is a character that I've hoped to have ALSNDRA embody through every performance, through every song.
With Vibrator specifically, I wanted to introduce my fans more to the world around me and as I became this new self realised version of myself and how I would begin to navigate through this world as I experience it for the very first time. It is interesting to see my growth and which moves I was going to make in deciphering between dreams and reality and what those things mean for me. It’s not so much a coming of age as much as it is a becoming of self story and she does so in magical ways through living out my dreams!
Could you tell us about the ideas/themed/imagery used?
A play off the classic story of Alice in Wonderland- we deal with notions of dream vs reality; whats real and not real and how Alice matures through those experiences. She starts off sweet and vulnerable and then she expands her knowledge and experiences and she evolves. That runs parallel with what this project is for me. A build of character into strong woman after experiencing pain from a failed relationship- we end My Way when we see ALSNDRA go from vulnerable to superhero, but we don’t know much about the world she emerges herself into. With the release of “Vibrator” we begin to see this world where ALSNDRA is experiencing things for the first time in her new element. We watch it all unfold as she deciphers between reality and dreaming in this coming-of-self story, as she powerfully projects the obvious state of an empowered, independent female. She lays it out on the table in “Vibrator” - reducing her sexual partners to replace a vibrator, only to be had on conditions of her own. “I need the most, I need the sauce, I need a boss- then I need a ghost.”
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
The video was filmed over 4 days and was produced by ALSNDRA herself. "This was the first time I dipped into visual production and it was a definite learning experience. I loved it. I outsourced all of the locations, hand picked my team and got the opportunity to work with my friends. " The tunnel scenes are my favourite. I found this magical place in Brockville, Ontario and I knew I had to have it in the video. When we got there, the tunnel is very wet inside and when you walk through it so that was a huge challenge with expensive equipment and hair and makeup. The shots were so beautiful though, I didn't care that I looked like a wet dog. I recommend everyone go there, the tunnel is exquisite.'
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
Right now as it is still early in my career, I am just hoping to get across to audiences that I want to stretch my artistic envelope and really just be involved in every step of the creative from the writing to my fashions to my visuals and more. For me I want to be an example to people out there that if you want to do something BIG even when you feel small, anything is possible. I had a bunch of people tell me I couldn't make this video. That it would've cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars that I didn't have for this project to execute the type of visuals and thematic ideas I wanted. So I did the groundwork myself, and I made it happen no matter how often I heard the word "no." I think that is really the message for me here. If you really wanna do something, f%$k 'em. Go get what you want.
Interview by Karla Harris