Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon tea break with our Afternoon Tea curators.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Alle The Dreamer. Alle The Dreamer, aka Alessia Iorio, is a songstress from Toronto, ON who is best known for her dynamic songwriting and unique dream-pop sound. Although Alle loosely describes her music as pop, her fluid blend of vintage and cutting-edge influences has created a sound that is distinctively Alle. This can all be heard in her debut EP, Starting Over, which was released on October 6th.
Alle established herself in the local music scene early on, writing and recording with collaborators in Toronto, LA, and London. Among them; Samuel Gerongco (Alessia Cara), Bram Inscore (BTS, Andy Grammer), Jeff Shum (John Legend, Camila Cabello), Dayyon Alexander (Demi Lovato, Dua Lipa), and Negin Djafari (Drake). Alle has also accumulated numerous credits: as a featured artist on DVBBS’ single “Wicked Ways” and Morgan Page’s “Beautiful Disaster,” and as a co-writer for Little Mix’s “F.U” (from the 5x platinum album Glory Days), two singles for K-POP superstar Suho, and Baby Ariel’s 2019 track “I Heart You.”
On the highlighted single, “Run Home To You,” Alle‘s pop prowess shines in an honest, dynamic and anthemic single, inspired by the whirlwind of emotions a heartfelt relationship brings. “I am just reflecting on how confusing relationships can be, the dynamics, dating in your 20’s, the highs and lows, and all the feelings you go through and experience for the first time.”
Stream + share the vulnerable and relatable “Run Home To You” now:
‘Hello’ by Aqyila
I met Aqyila on a cold grey day in Toronto & we cooked up this beautiful self-love anthem that went viral on tiktok this year. It started as most sessions do, getting to know each other & sharing our interests, artists were inspired by, life story etc. She shared with us, her desire in writing a song that was different than any song she had on her EP that was dropping in a few months. I started sharing with her how beautiful it would be to write a song about being on one’s healing journey and rediscovering themselves, something that I personally have been going through, throughout my 20’s. We wrote about our love for journaling, manifestation, the power of positive thinking and the greatest gift you can give yourself; compassion and the act of letting go. Fast forward to today, In less than 8 months the song has over 5 million streams on Apple Music & approaching 4 million on Spotify and that’s all from sharing the lyrics through her tiktok account. It’s been amazing watching women and men from around the world share the song and their story online. Sharing how the words helped then during a time when they needed it the most. As a songwriter & artist, being able to share my experiences, thoughts & feelings that I keep mostly in my journal & in my head, come alive through different artists is the best feeling in the world. It’s about using what you go through for the greater good.
Fireflies on the water by Yayoi Kusama.
I went to my first exhibition by Kusama in 2015 when I was visiting LA on a songwriting
trip. You step inside in this room for 30 seconds & you feel like you are in another galaxy. But it was a deeper experience for me, because I was in a place where I was struggling to find my voice as an artist. I was unsure about myself, my art, my direction. So although the lights & the infinity aspect of the art piece was striking, I also related my life to this visual. There are infinite possibilities. An infinite amount of ways to reinvent oneself. We are so much more then what meets the eye, just like the universe. When I look back now on that time, I reflect on the beauty of a time of discovering myself and finding my voice. It led me to where I am today, the confident & self-assured artist & songwriter that is grateful every time she steps foot into a studio. I encourage you to visit an exhibit by Kusama & explore the feelings that come up when you enter this room.
MATCHA ❤ hahaha I am absolutely obsessed. Hot or cold, really doesn’t matter to me. I haven’t found a company yet that is my ride or die, so can’t really comment on that. I feel like it’s the perfect boost that you never knew you needed, while also offering health benefits. It’s my go-to drink before meetings and sessions that gives me the perfect creative inspiration boost, without the anxiety like coffee. If you can’t drink dairy, Oat milk is the perfect pairing with this drink as it goes perfectly with the taste. If you’re reading this & have a favourite matcha brand, please share with me @allethedreamer
Tea + Me 