Alanna Sterling Makes Being Lost Feel Liberating on New Single “Down
Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Alanna Sterling (they/them) shares “Down,” an energetic and emotionally charged pop/indie rock single that transforms a moment of uncertainty into one of resilience and release. Upbeat, empowering, and full of forward momentum, the track captures the strange clarity that can emerge when everything seems to be falling apart at once.
Inspired by a real-life experience while travelling, “Down” began after Alanna found themselves stranded and alone with a dead phone battery, no money, and no way to reconnect with friends. Armed with only a skateboard and guitar, they sat outside a strip mall busking for spare change before being confronted by police and threatened with a hefty fine for performing on private property.
“After reviving my phone, I called my friends, found a secluded area under a palm tree, and wrote the whole song in 15 minutes while I waited for them to pick me up,” Alanna explains. “My songs come from an emotionally charged space, so when I feel intense emotions, I get them out in a song to process.”
That immediacy pulses throughout “Down.” Rather than dwelling in frustration or defeat, the track channels instability into movement, balancing emotional honesty with uplifting energy. Bright instrumentation and driving rhythms mirror the feeling of pushing forward through uncertainty, while Alanna’s vocal performance carries both urgency and optimism.
The song’s official music video expands on that rebellious spirit. Since the opening lyric references “the coast of California,” Alanna felt it was only right to film the video there, bringing the song’s imagery to life against a fitting backdrop. The visual was created alongside longtime filmmaker friends Courtney and Ashley, collaborators Alanna first connected with through Twitch years earlier.
“I raised several thousand dollars to finance it during my eighth anniversary Twitch stream marathon,” she shares. “The fans were so eager to see their favourite song come to life.”
Leaning into a skater-punk aesthetic, the video portrays a playful rebellion against authority while introducing a surreal emotional counterbalance through the appearance of a “maiden of the mist” character; an ethereal spirit symbolizing support and renewal during moments when getting back up alone feels impossible.
Working with trusted collaborators made the experience feel effortless.
“Everything ran smoothly, and we wrapped at golden hour, just in time for me to catch Lady Gaga’s live show that same night,” Alanna says. “A perfect end to a perfect day.”