Alison Wonderland: Main Room Fairytale

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are throwing some shine on the most influential female industry figures who helped pioneer electronic and dance culture.

Alison Wonderland is a name that likely needs little introduction around these parts, as she’s risen to become one of the most recognizable name brands on the pan-EDM circuit and seems to tour relentlessly. She’s one of electronic music’s big tune songwriters of the moment.

Australian DJ/producer and classically trained cellist Alex Sholler seemed to come out of nowhere in 2013, when her first single, “Get Ready,” was released. But she had worked with the Sydney Youth Opera and gotten around in some indie bands before she caught the electronic bug from the Knife’s Silent Shout a decade ago. This led to her producing her own electronic tracks and her eventual international breakout.

Her first album featured guest vocals by Wayne Coyne and was also in the press for its audacious record release parties in strip clubs. Sholler is many things, but she’s never boring.

In 2014, her debut EP dropped. She released her first album the following year on a major label, garnering nominations for many awards in her native Australia. Run featured guest vocals by Wayne Coyne and was also in the press for its audacious record release parties in strip clubs. Sholler is many things, but she’s never boring.

It’s no surprise, then, that her catchphrase is “Fuck me up on a spiritual level.” Sholler has lived the last few years in Los Angeles, where she hosts her own SiriusXM show, Radio Wonderland. She’s collaborated with all manner of artists across the pop songwriting and EDM spectrum. And she even runs her own series of festivals.

Her new album, Awake, is out April 6. In February, Sholler told Billboard the record was painful to make but that, ultimately, the album “is about discovering self-value again. Being around things that were very toxic for me really brought me down for a long time, and I realized that I finally had the strength and the choice to get out of those environments. I really hope, when anyone hears this album, they take something from that, and they hear that you’re not alone, and you can bring the strength to bring yourself out of something. Everyone has self-value and self-worth.”

Her music is big, poppy, anthemic, and bold. It’s been placed in films, TV shows, ads, and everything in between. One of our great ambassadors for mainstream EDM, Alison Wonderland is at the top of the mountain.