Doomed Confessionary: Ali Macabre (Ailise Blake)
Ailise Blake is born in Bordeaux, France, between four walls and misanthropy. The person behind this solo project is an Italian musician and former member of J.C. Satan and La Secte du Futur, better known as Ali Macabre. Born in Lombardia and grown up in Tuscany, she started to record her firsts songs at the age of 14, inspired by bands like Slowdive and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
After years of concerts and touring with bands, she finally realized that something was missing. She found a better way to express herself as a solo artist. It is then that she decided to start work on a record that would have been deeply braided with her other occupation that is the study of the Thelemic Mysteries and the Ceremonial Magick. She found a source of strength in her studies and from them, 3 years later, her first full-length album »Songs From The Uncanny Valley« poured, like water from a cup. It is a deeply personal record, where themes like family, death, loss, misogyny, depression and the strength of the will are sung. From 2020 to 2024, she released a series of singles in a digital format on her own label 418 Nails.
Now she comes with her sophomore album called »Soave«, which was released under the umbrella of the Italian label These Hands Melt on November 7th, 2025. This record is the foundation of her work, a more explicit ode to that same thelemic philosophy and its initiatic path, a never ending pyramid of Spectral Folk.
Can you please say a few words about your project?
Ailise Blake is my solo project that I started in 2019. This will be my sophomore album. I work alone from the composition to the visuals.
What was the biggest challenge for you?
Definitely the record sessions. I do it all by myself and it’s a constant learning curve for me. I also am very perfectionist, probably because of my OCD. It’s hard to keep your sound intact when you lack knowledge at first. Eventually It all comes to its place at the end and it’s the greatest satisfaction.
What can you be most proud of so far?
This record is at the moment my pride jewel, it was hard to create it, and I’m really proud of it.
What was your biggest regret?
That could be a tough question to answer, but I’ll do it in a shallow manner. I regret when last year I let a very inexpensive Hiwatt Custom DR100 amp head slide from my hands.. Another guy purchased her first. I regret not being faster.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Best concert that I played was probably the Dour fest in 2016 due to its programmation, because we shared the stage with Amenra. Best tour was the one we had with my previous band La Secte du Futur in Europe. So fun.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Probably Ethel Cain. So young and talented, she also writes and mixes all by herself, or at least she used to do it. A lot of young artists have this way of working. Zheani being one of them as well. It is really inspiring.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
At the moment I’m listening to Chat Pile a lot and the last Hayden Pedigo album. Amazing.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Just write the pedal settings with a sharpie on the pedal, relax your hand, take a sip of vodka before jumping on stage. Just a sip. Bring an amp fuse with you on tour.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I don’t believe in linking the sentiment of guilt and the sense of pleasure as consequential. To me, if it makes you feel good, it’s free of guilt. However I definitely have a problem in stopping buying music items, Specifically pedals. I love to discover new sounds. I always find a reason why to buy them even when I’m not sure I need them. I then feel guilty.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Bordeaux?
I live in a forest, in a remote area in South France. The only music I hear are the deers and the storms. The closest and easiest way to go to concerts is by traveling to Paris.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
You will see me live starting from April 2026, I will tour with Ailise Blake exclusively in France at the moment, more news will be announced soon.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to play live as much as I can. It is a personal challenge, because the anxiety that tours bring, was one of the reasons why i quitted my previous band.
How can people best support you?
Ailise Blake is a small project that is released by a small independent label. The best way to support me is by buying my record from the label and of course to come to my shows.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
I hope that when you listen to »Soave« you will feel like you are asleep in deep waters. I hope it will make you fall asleep and dream.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well