Kelli Ali

Kelli Ali, a name synonymous with the enigmatic sound of 90s trip-hop, is far more than just the former voice of Sneaker Pimps. Her artistic journey is a captivating narrative of continuous evolution—from early rock bands to acclaimed solo albums, global collaborations, and ambitious multimedia projects. This is the story of an artist who consistently defies categorization, always reaching for new forms of expression. Kelli Ali's musical journey began years before her iconic role in Sneaker Pimps and has continued vibrantly as a versatile solo artist and collaborator. She has consistently reinvented her sound, exploring diverse genres from rock to electronic music, and working with legendary figures across the industry. Her creative vision extends beyond music into filmmaking and visual art, showcasing a multifaceted talent driven by an independent and philosophical spirit.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Kelli Ali, a name synonymous with the enigmatic sound of 90s trip-hop, is far more than just the former voice of Sneaker Pimps. Her artistic journey is a captivating narrative of continuous evolution—from early rock bands to acclaimed solo albums, global collaborations, and ambitious multimedia projects. This is the story of an artist who consistently defies categorization, always reaching for new forms of expression.

Kelli Ali: A Voice of Evolution

Meet Kelli Ali, born Kelli Dayton, a British musician, guitarist, and artist whose career has spanned decades and genres. While famously known as the enigmatic voice of the trip hop sensation Sneaker Pimps, her journey extends far beyond that pivotal role, revealing an artist constantly exploring new sonic landscapes.

Early Sonic Explorations

Before her breakout success, Kelli honed her craft in the early 90s, joining the group Psycho Drama at just 16. This was just the beginning of her formative years in music, laying the groundwork for what was to come.

A few years later, she joined The Lumieres as their songwriter, singer, and lead guitarist. Though they released only one major single, 'Cinder Hearts,' these early experiences were crucial in shaping her distinctive artistic voice.

The Trip-Hop Phenomenon

The mid-90s saw Kelli Ali step into the international spotlight as the lead singer of the groundbreaking trip-hop group, Sneaker Pimps. Her ethereal vocals became synonymous with their debut album, 'Becoming X,' which propelled them to global fame.

The album's hit single, '6 Underground,' became an iconic track of the era, showcasing Ali's distinctive vocal style and captivating presence in their music videos. Her voice defined the sound that captured the imagination of millions.

However, by 1998, a significant shift occurred. Chris Corner, the band's principal songwriter, decided to take over vocal duties for his own compositions. This led to Kelli Ali's departure from the group, marking the end of an era but the beginning of a new chapter for her.

Forging a Solo Path

Stepping out from Sneaker Pimps, Kelli embarked on a solo career, adopting the stage name Kelli Ali in honor of her late father. This new phase was a declaration of independence and a deeper exploration of her personal artistry.

Her debut solo album, 'Tigermouth,' arrived in 2003, featuring tracks like 'Sunlight in the Rain' and 'Kids.' Remarkably, it even included a collaboration with legendary ex-Doors drummer John Densmore, blending her evolving sound with rock history.

She continued to diversify, touring with rock giants Garbage in 2002. Her follow-up album, 'Psychic Cat' (2004), leaned into her rock and roll roots, showcasing a raw energy and featuring musician-turned-author Tony O'Neill on keyboards.

Kelli's collaborations extended globally. In 2006, she traveled to Japan to work with Hoshino Hidehiko of Buck-Tick and Cube Juice on tracks for the band Dropz, further demonstrating her eclectic musical interests.

That same year, she penned 'Faster Kill Pussycat,' a song recorded by renowned producer Paul Oakenfold. This track gained significant attention as it featured actress Brittany Murphy on vocals—her only single release—a memorable moment in pop culture.

Her third solo album, 'Rocking Horse,' produced by Max Richter, was released in 2008, showcasing another evolution in her sound. This was swiftly followed by the self-released album 'Butterfly' in 2009, continuing her prolific output as an independent artist.

A New Creative Era

The 2010s saw Kelli Ali release her fifth album, 'Band of Angels,' in 2013. During this period, she also began a fruitful collaboration with the UK band Cult With No Name, exploring new artistic synergies.

A truly ambitious endeavor emerged in 2016: 'Ghostdriver,' a joint album and film project. Kelli described it as a 'noir thriller and love letter to London,' launching a successful crowdfunding campaign to bring her vision to life.

The project quickly gained momentum, with Kelli providing updates to her fans, confirming that filming was completed and the album's production was in its final stages. It was clear that 'Ghostdriver' was a deeply personal and significant work.

In late 2018, 'The Fear of London' was released as the lead single from 'Ghostdriver,' exclusively to her crowdfunding supporters. This was followed by the full 15-track album in early 2019, also a special release for her dedicated fans.

A notable aspect of 'Ghostdriver' was the reunion: Liam Howe, her former Sneaker Pimps bandmate and a celebrated producer, contributed extensively to the album's mix and production. This marked their first creative collaboration since the original band's disbandment—a significant moment for fans.

Amidst the ongoing post-production of the film, Kelli released the stand-alone single 'Sadistic' in 2019, a collaboration with producer Satoshi Tomiie, again featuring Liam Howe's touch. The release included a unique Lipstick USB set and a new music video.

Unfortunately, the 'Ghostdriver' film faced significant delays, including impacts from the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. While the soundtrack album was eventually released in November 2020, the film's premiere, anticipated for summer 2023, is still pending.

Beyond music and film, Kelli Ali's artistic presence extends to other mediums. In September 2019, she was a main feature in the 'Vivencias' (Experiences) issue of the Visual Collaborative electronic catalogue, sharing her insights alongside 30 global figures.

Her music continues to reach new audiences; in 2021, her song 'Rocking Horse' was prominently featured on the soundtrack of the popular six-part Netflix thriller series, 'Behind Her Eyes,' bringing her distinctive sound to a global streaming platform.

Beyond Sound: Visual Art

In yet another facet of her artistic expression, Kelli Ali also engages with visual arts. She offers signed paintings and drawings for sale, showcasing her talents extending beyond the auditory realm.

A Rich Discography

Title	Details
Tigermouth	2003
Psychic Cat	2004
Rocking Horse	2008
Butterfly	2009
A Paradise Inhabited by Devils (with Ozymandias)	2011
Band of Angels	2013
Ghostdriver	2019 (album), 2020 (soundtrack)

As a lead artist, Kelli Ali has charted numerous singles, showcasing her evolution and versatility. Here's a glimpse into her prominent releases:

Title	Year	UK Dance	UK Indie	Album
"Kids"	2001	10	36	Tigermouth
"Inferno High Love"	2002	—	—	
"Teardrop Hittin' the Ground"	2003	—	—	
"Speakers"	2004	—	—	Psychic Cat
"Hot Lips"	—	—	
"What to Do"	2008	—	—	Rocking Horse
"The Savages"	2009	—	—	
"Kiss Me Cleopatra"	2013	—	—	Band of Angels
"The Art of Love"	2015	—	—	
"The Hunter"	2017	—	—	
"The Fear of London"	2018	—	—	Ghostdriver
"Sadistic"	2019	—	—

Her distinctive voice has also made her a sought-after collaborator. She has lent her talents to various artists, contributing to notable tracks across different genres:

Title	Year	UK	UK Dance	UK Indie	GER	SWI	US Dance	Album
"Up in Flames" (Satoshi Tomiie featuring Kelli Ali)	1999	78	8	—	—	—	4	Full Lick
"Love in Traffic" (Satoshi Tomiie featuring Kelli Ali)	2001	79	—	8	—	—	4	
"Play with Bootsy" (Bootsy Collins featuring Kelli Ali)	2002	—	—	—	57	73	—	Play with Bootsy

Beyond official featured roles, Kelli Ali has graced many other projects with guest vocals. Her collaborations span an impressive range, from iconic artists like Marc Almond and Bryan Ferry to electronic acts like Linkin Park and Satoshi Tomiie, showcasing her adaptability and broad appeal across genres.

Filmic Ventures

As a multi-faceted artist, Kelli Ali has also ventured into film. Her self-directed and written independent film, 'Ghostdriver'—in which she also stars—represents a significant personal project, promising a unique cinematic experience once finally released.

A Glimpse into Her World

Kelli Ali grew up in the suburbs of Birmingham, a vibrant mix of Irish, English, and Indian heritage. Her journey into music began at 15 when she bought her first guitar, a pivotal moment that set her on her artistic path.

Beyond her musical endeavors, Kelli has explored various philosophies and practices. She's described herself as a practitioner of kung-fu and a student of Taoism, later embracing yoga and Vedic philosophies, emphasizing our intrinsic connection to everything around us.

Her perspective on the world is deeply thoughtful; Kelli has expressed a belief that traditional political systems are outdated, advocating for a 'human union for the good of all human beings'—a philosophy that underscores her expansive and compassionate worldview.

Article

Kelli Ali

Kelli Dayton, known professionally as Kelli Ali (born 30 June 1974), is a British musician, guitarist, and artist. She was formerly the lead singer of the trip hop group Sneaker Pimps before going on to a solo career.

Career

Early bands (1990–1996)

Before Sneaker Pimps, Ali was part of a group called Psycho Drama, which she joined when she was 16 years old. A few years later, she was asked by Russell Cross of the band The Lumieres to join his band (as their songwriter, singer, and lead guitarist). The Lumieres only had one major single, "Cinder Hearts".

Sneaker Pimps and Becoming X (1996–1997)

With Sneaker Pimps she was featured prominently in both the songs and the music videos for the album Becoming X (the group finding fame following the release of the hit single "6 Underground"). Ali was released from the group in 1998 when Chris Corner, the principal songwriter, decided to do vocals for his own songs.

Tigermouth, Psychic Cat and Rocking Horse (1998–2008)

After leaving Sneaker Pimps, she moved on to a solo career under the name Kelli Ali after her father who had died before the release of Becoming X. Her first solo album, Tigermouth, was released in 2003. It includes tracks "Sunlight in the Rain" and "Kids" and features ex-Doors drummer John Densmore. She toured alongside Garbage in April 2002 and released a follow-up album, Psychic Cat, in mid-2004. The second album was more of a return to Ali's rock and roll roots and featured musician-turned-author Tony O'Neill on keyboards.

In April 2006, she travelled to Japan to record and write tracks with Hoshino Hidehiko from Buck-Tick and Cube Juice for the band Dropz. The same year, producer Paul Oakenfold recorded the Kelli Ali penned song "Faster Kill Pussycat" with actress Brittany Murphy. It is Murphy's only single release.

On 24 November 2008, Ali released Rocking Horse, her third solo album. The album was produced by Max Richter (Fat Cat records) in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the first half of 2008. In 2009, she self-released the album Butterfly.

Band of Angels and Ghostdriver (2013–present)

Ali released her fifth album in 2013, entitled Band of Angels. She has collaborated with the UK band Cult With No Name.

On 2 December 2016, on her Instagram feed Kelli Ali announced a new project, Ghostdriver. In her announcement Ali stated "...it will be a joint album & film project. A noir thriller and love letter to London." The project was being crowd-funded via a PledgeMusic campaign. On 30 December 2017, Ali posted an update to the site, stating, "Thanks to you, all the filming for Ghostdriver was completed and the edit is in full swing, all songs written and in the later stages of production."

On 24 November 2018, Ali released "The Fear of London" as the lead single from Ghostdriver. It was distributed as a seven-track digital remix single exclusively to fans who contributed to her PledgeMusic campaign. This was followed by an exclusive PledgeMusic-only digital release of the full 15-track Ghostdriver album on 26 January 2019, with an announcement that a full commercial release of the album and single will follow later in 2019 in conjunction with the release of the final film. In the album release announcement, Ali also revealed that her former Sneaker Pimps bandmate and notable producer and engineer Liam Howe contributed extensively to the mix and additional production of the album, notably marking the first collaboration between two original Sneaker Pimps band members since their disbandment.

As post-production work on the film continued through 2019, Ali released a stand-alone single, "Sadistic". It is a collaboration with producer Satoshi Tomiie, recorded during the Ghostdriver sessions. It features additional mix and production from Liam Howe. Released in December 2019 was a limited edition, deluxe Lipstick USB set and a new music video. The Ghostdriver film's post-production suffered delays in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The soundtrack album was released 26 November 2020, with the film expected around summer 2023 after various post-production delays. As of September 2024 the film has not been released.

In September 2019, Kelli Ali appeared as a main feature in the Visual Collaborative electronic catalogue, in an issue themed Vivencias which translates to "Experiences" in Spanish. She was interviewed alongside 30 people from around the world such as Dakore Akande, Adelaide Damoah and Desdamona.

In 2021, Ali's song "Rocking Horse" appeared on the soundtrack of the six-part Netflix thriller series Behind Her Eyes.

Discography

Studio albums

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Tigermouth</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Psychic Cat</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rocking Horse</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Butterfly</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A Paradise Inhabited by Devils (with Ozymandias)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Band of Angels</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ghostdriver</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

As lead artist

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Peak chart positions</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>UK Dance</td><td>UK Indie</td></tr><tr><td>"Kids"</td><td>2001</td><td>10</td><td>36</td><td>Tigermouth</td></tr><tr><td>"Inferno High Love"</td><td>2002</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"Teardrop Hittin' the Ground"</td><td>2003</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"Speakers"</td><td>2004</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>Psychic Cat</td></tr><tr><td>"Hot Lips"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"What to Do"</td><td>2008</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>Rocking Horse</td></tr><tr><td>"The Savages"</td><td>2009</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"Kiss Me Cleopatra"</td><td>2013</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>Band of Angels</td></tr><tr><td>"The Art of Love"</td><td>2015</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"The Hunter"</td><td>2017</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"The Fear of London"</td><td>2018</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>Ghostdriver</td></tr><tr><td>"Sadistic"</td><td>2019</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.</td></tr></tbody></table>

As featured artist

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Peak chart positions</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>UK</td><td>UK Dance</td><td>UK Indie</td><td>GER</td><td>SWI</td><td>US Dance</td></tr><tr><td>"Up in Flames" (Satoshi Tomiie featuring Kelli Ali)</td><td>1999</td><td>78</td><td>8</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>4</td><td>Full Lick</td></tr><tr><td>"Love in Traffic" (Satoshi Tomiie featuring Kelli Ali)</td><td>2001</td><td>79</td><td>—</td><td>8</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>"Play with Bootsy" (Bootsy Collins featuring Kelli Ali)</td><td>2002</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>57</td><td>73</td><td>—</td><td>Play with Bootsy</td></tr><tr><td>"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Guest appearances

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Other artist(s)</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>"Almost Diamonds"</td><td>1999</td><td>Marc Almond</td><td>Open All Night</td></tr><tr><td>"Still"</td><td>Double Six</td><td>Beyond Sci-Fi</td></tr><tr><td>"Voodoo"</td><td>2001</td><td>Stashrider</td><td>Non-album singles</td></tr><tr><td>"This Way"</td><td>2002</td><td>Marc van Linden, Madagascar</td></tr><tr><td>"Cruel"</td><td>Bryan Ferry, Alice Retif, Audrey Wheeler, Sarah Brown</td><td>Frantic</td></tr><tr><td>"Hiroshima…"</td><td>Bryan Ferry, Alice Retif</td></tr><tr><td>"San Simeon"</td><td>Bryan Ferry, Alison Goldfrapp, Lucy Kaplansky, Patti Russo, Sarah Brown</td></tr><tr><td>"My<Dsmbr"</td><td>Linkin Park, Mickey P.</td><td>Reanimation</td></tr><tr><td>"Payback Time"</td><td>2003</td><td>The Dysfunctional Psychedelic Waltons</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Transient Man"</td><td>Millenia Nova</td><td>Narcotic Wide Screen Vista</td></tr><tr><td>"Sadness"</td><td>2004</td><td>The Happening</td><td>As Deep as We Can Go Without Drowning</td></tr><tr><td>"Searchlight"</td></tr><tr><td>"Live Girls"</td><td>2007</td><td>Freddy Fresh</td><td>Surrounded by Funk</td></tr><tr><td>"Hope Is Existence"</td><td>2012</td><td>Cult with No Name</td><td>Above as Below</td></tr><tr><td>"Maitre D-Day"</td></tr><tr><td>"Drowned"</td></tr><tr><td>"Today the Day (They Knew Would Come)"</td><td>Cult with No Name, Meg Maryatt</td></tr><tr><td>"Numbers"</td><td>Cult with No Name</td></tr><tr><td>"What's Certain"</td></tr><tr><td>"Shake Hands with the Devil"</td></tr><tr><td>"Secondary Sexual Characteristics"</td></tr><tr><td>"Escape Under Blankets"</td><td>2013</td><td>Jilk</td><td>Retreat…</td></tr><tr><td>"Everything Lasts on Age"</td><td>2014</td><td>Cult with No Name</td><td>Another Landing</td></tr><tr><td>"A Pound of Penny Gaffs"</td></tr><tr><td>"Swept Away"</td></tr><tr><td>"Every Litte Box"</td></tr><tr><td>"Those Weren't the Days"</td></tr><tr><td>"Not Stranger Than Fiction"</td></tr><tr><td>"Walter + Wally"</td></tr><tr><td>"Over and Out of Here"</td></tr><tr><td>"Dorothy"</td><td>2015</td><td>Tuxedomoon, Cult with No Name</td><td>Blue Velvet Revisited</td></tr><tr><td>"Frank"</td></tr><tr><td>"Sunshine (Tricky Remix)"</td><td>Mexican Institute of Sound, Toy Selectah</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Coma (Cult with No Name Remodel)"</td><td>2016</td><td>S'Express, Cult with No Name</td><td>Enjoy This Trip</td></tr><tr><td>"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"</td><td>2017</td><td>The Eden House</td><td>Songs for the Broken Ones</td></tr><tr><td>"Rosabelle, Believe"</td><td>Cult with No Name</td><td>Heir of the Dog</td></tr><tr><td>"Fingertips"</td></tr><tr><td>"When I Was a Girl"</td></tr><tr><td>"Yves Klein's Blues"</td></tr><tr><td>"Just Rewards"</td></tr><tr><td>"Of California"</td></tr><tr><td>"No News"</td></tr><tr><td>"Blind Dogs for the Guides"</td><td>2019</td><td>Cult with No Name</td><td>Mediaburn</td></tr><tr><td>"Needle and Thread"</td></tr><tr><td>"In Hollywood You Won't Find Bel-Air"</td></tr><tr><td>"She Sells Incels"</td></tr><tr><td>"So Much Left to Undo"</td></tr><tr><td>"By Air or by Sea"</td></tr><tr><td>"Low on High"</td></tr><tr><td>"Mona"</td></tr><tr><td>"All This Spite (Comes at a Price)"</td></tr><tr><td>"All Those Things I Admire"</td><td>2021</td><td>Cult with No Name</td><td>Nights in North Sentinel</td></tr><tr><td>"Fight or Flight"</td></tr><tr><td>"You're All I Ever Needed"</td></tr><tr><td>"After the Storm"</td></tr><tr><td>"Home Again"</td></tr><tr><td>"Bulletproof"</td></tr><tr><td>"Cult with No Name"</td></tr></tbody></table>

Filmography

Kelli Ali

• Ghostdriver (self-directed & written independent film in which Ali also stars alongside ensemble cast) (Post-Production initially due for release in Summer 2023 TBC)

Personal life

Kelli Ali

Ali was brought up in the suburbs of Birmingham. She is of Irish, English, and Indian descent. She bought her first guitar when she was 15. In a 2002 interview, she described herself as a practitioner of kung-fu and a student of Taoism. In a 2019 interview, she stated she was "not religious at all", but "love[d] yoga and some of the Vedic philosophies, meditation and the idea that we are all intrinsically connected with every single thing around us." On her political views, she stated that "the whole idea of any kind of union other than that of a human union for the good of all human beings is outdated anyway in my view. Politics to me have always been insane. The fundamental problem with all political systems, is that they are based on the tiny amount of knowledge about our situation that we have as human beings."