Ali Handal
Did you know?
Ali’s music has been featured on the following Television shows:
· Sex in the City (HBO)
· Joan of Arcadia (CBS)
· Strange Frequency (VH-1)
· Tough Enough (MTV)
· Celebrity Undercover (MTV)
· Dawson’s Creek (WB)
· Life As We Know It (ABC)
· Undressed (MTV)
· 54321 (Fox Sports)
· Maybe It’s Me (WB)
Ali sang on Neil Young's 2006 protest CD: "Living With War."
Ali is an Award-winning songwriter:
· John Lennon Songwriting Contest
· ASCAP Plus Award (2 years)
· Unisong International Song Contest
Ali’s music has been heard in the following Feature Films:
· Dancing at the Blue Iguana
· Emmet’s Mark
· Pursuit of Happiness
Other Places you may have heard Ali’s music:
· Nic Harcourt’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” on KCRW, 89.9 FM, Santa Monica CA
· KLOS “Local Licks” radio show, LA CA
· Northwest & KLM Airlines In-Flight Audio Programming
· On the debut CD of South African singer/TV star Candice Hillebrand
You may have seen Ali’s Hands:
· As a guitar-playing hand double in the Playboy home video “Wild Web Girls”
(you never know where your talent will take you!)
"The Official Bio..."
In 7th grade Ali got her first taste of Led Zeppelin. Blown away by Jimmy Page’s explosive riffs and the band’s carnal grooves, Ali fell in love with rock ‘n roll and immediately quit piano to pick up guitar. Ali was determined to be involved in rock ‘n roll in any and every way she could.
Three guitar-playing boyfriends later, it struck Ali that perhaps it might be better to BE in a rock band rather than just date all the hot guitar players she knew (funny how her soloing wasn’t improving), so she got serious about mastering the instrument herself.
Today, this award winning singer/songwriter has made a name for herself on stages from Los Angeles to Japan, rocking solo and full band live shows. Fender Frontline Live hailed Ali’s performance at the Tempe Music Festival -- “Sultry songstress Ali Handal knows her way around a great song and a magnetic performance.” In a review of one of Ali’s shows, LIVE! Magazine said “I don’t mean she’s a good guitarist a la folk singer Jewel, or ‘she’s good for a girl.’ I mean she’s a kick-ass guitarist, electric and acoustic, a la Chrissie Hynde meets ani difranco meets Prince.”
Ali’s recorded work reaches even more fans the world over. Songs from her first two albums have aired on national and international radio, on airplanes (Northwest/ KLM In-Flight Entertainment), at pop concerts in South Africa (Ali’s song “While You’re Here” was recorded by a South African TV star), as well as in film and TV shows such as “Sex in the City,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “Dawson’s Creek,” and many other shows on numerous channels, including MTV and VH-1.
Ali’s funky rhythm guitar style reveals influences such as John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Jimmy Nolen (James Brown), while her soloing explores the blues-infused side of rock ‘n roll, a la Jimmy Page and Joe Perry. Ali’s vocal inspirations range from the fervent breathy wails of ani difranco to the dark, honeyed brooding of Fiona Apple.
Ali plays every guitar you hear on her CDs “Dirty Little Secret” and “Breathing Underwater.” Her debut CD “Dirty Little Secret” explores themes of love, lust, and life as an independent young woman -- aggressive funky rockers to tender ballads tied together by Ali’s passionate, dynamic vocals and insightful lyrics.
Ali’s second CD “Breathing Underwater” taps into a softer side of Ali, with an intimate vocal delivery painted over lush acoustic guitar work. Ali creates a delicious intimacy between artist and listener, treating the theme of love lost in her uniquely bittersweet way, as well as offering up several atypical love songs.
Currently recording her highly anticipated third album, Ali creates, writes and rehearses regularly with her Los Angeles-based band. Ali’s artistry continually examines and explores love, passion, and the inner battle between fearless independence and the desire for companionship. Music Connection Magazine said it best: “[Ali Handal is] Earthy, natural, real and loaded with talent…a singer/songwriter with something to say…a gifted artist who brings insight and intelligence to her art.”