Wikipedia

Alison Wonderland

(Redirected from Alexandra Sholler)

Alexandra Margo Sholler (born 27 September 1984), better known as Alison Wonderland, is an Australian electronic dance music producer, DJ, and singer. Her debut album Run, released on 20 March 2015, peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by ARIA. Her second album, Awake, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[3] She was listed at No. 96 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs in October 2018. She is also the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history.[4] Outside of being well known for her music, she is outspoken about her support for mental health and frequently shares her experiences with her fans.[5]

Alison Wonderland
Alison Wonderland at the ARIA Music Awards in 2013
Alison Wonderland at the ARIA Music Awards in 2013
Background information
Born
Alexandra Margo Sholler[1]

(1984-09-27) 27 September 1984 (age 41)[1]
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • bass guitar
  • keyboards
  • cello
Years active2008–present
Labels
Websitealisonwonderland.com

Early life

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Alison Wonderland was born as Alexandra Sholler in 1984.[6][7][8] She is of Austrian[9] and Croatian descent.[10][11] She grew up in Sydney where she trained as a classical musician, specialising in cello.[12][13][14] She performed as a cellist with the Sydney Youth Opera and was later a bass guitarist in a few local indie rock bands.[13][14]

Wonderland later recalled how she developed an interest in electronic dance music, "I went out to a club called Candy's Apartment... Someone played 'Silent Shout' by the Knife... I remember just completely zoning out... and walking over to the DJ and asking, 'What is this track?! Please tell someone what this track is, because this is amazing'."[15] Her performance name is a pun on the Lewis Carroll novel Alice in Wonderland.[12][16]

Career

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2012–2013: Remixing and performing

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During 2012 she worked as a remixer on Sam Sparro's "I Wish I Never Met You", which appeared as a bonus track on that artist's Japanese version of his second album, Return to Paradise (June 2012).[17] Sneha Dave of Music Feeds observed, "[she] proves once again why she's becoming somewhat of a remix authority. Recently played by none other than Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, [her] rendition perfectly complements Sparro's creamy vocals. Infused with a deep house sensibility, yet imprinted with original flair, this arrangement depicts exactly what a good remix should be – a tribute to the original."[17]

Also in 2012 Wonderland toured with the Parklife Music Festival, visiting Australian city parks in September to October.[18] Her set list included her remixes, Sparro's "I Wish I Never Met You" and Ladyhawke's "Blue Eyes (Alison Wonderland Remix)".[18] Highlights were presented by Falcona on Vimeo, where she was also interviewed by the Bondi Hipsters.[18] Purple Sneakers' Lauren Payne noticed, Wonderland's version of "Blue Eyes" is "a very digital remix of Ladyhawke's catchy new single. Swapping the guitar and drums for a more electronic vibe, [Wonderland] has make some techno tweaks to the single and the end product is, in true [Wonderland] style, just plain splendiferous!"[19]

2013–2014: "Get Ready" to Calm Down

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Alison Wonderland released her debut single, "Get Ready" (featuring Fishing), in July 2013.[12][20][21] The track was co-written by Sholler with Russell Fitzgibbon, Brendan Picchio and Douglas Wright.[22] Fitzgibbon and Wright perform as a house music duo, Fishing.[23] She was signed to EMI Music Australia in 2014,[12] which is part of Universal Music Australia.[24] As a DJ, she embarked on a national tour playing in warehouses.[25]

On 27 June 2014 her five-track debut extended play, Calm Down, was released.[20] It provided two singles, "I Want U" (May) and "Cold". "I Want U", which was co-written by Sholler with Andrew Swanson (also known as Djemba Djemba),[26] peaked at No. 38 on the ARIA Singles Chart,[20] and was certified gold by ARIA in 2016.[27] It topped the Hype Machine charts as her biggest hit to that time.[28]

2015–2016: Run to "Messiah"

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In February 2015, Wonderland released "U Don't Know" which featured Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips on guest vocals.[29] The music video gained popularity due to Christopher Mintz-Plasse's lead role alongside Wonderland.[30][31] "U Don't Know" peaked at No. 63 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[20] In March, Wonderland released her debut studio album Run. For the album Wonderland used fellow Australian artists, Slumberjack and SAFIA as well as various producers, Djemba Djemba, Awe, and Lido.[29] It peaked at No. 6 in Australia and No. 12 in New Zealand.[20][32] K Spence from YourEDM.com praised the album due to its diversity and her involvement in the album, as she was credited as a writer, vocalist and producer.[33] The title track was issued as a single on 11 June, along with its music video. The music video peaked at No. 6 in Australia which made it her biggest hit to date. "Run" had over two-million streams on Spotify as of 20 January 2016.[34]

On 4 August 2015 a video for the album track "Take It to Reality" featuring SAFIA was released[35] On 4 September 2015 Run was released in the United Kingdom. The third and final single, "Games", was issued on 9 September, and was praised by Spence for its lack of trap elements, in which most of Wonderland's music incorporates.[33] The music video was released on the same day and was a one-take scene of Wonderland performing many sports including Grid Iron, Martial Arts and Chess.[36] A deluxe edition of Run was released on 30 October, which included remixes of the singles, "U Don't Know", "I Want U", "Games", "Run" and "Get Ready".[37]

Alison Wonderland was nominated for awards in two categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 2015, Best Dance Release for the single, "Run"; and Best Video for "U Don't Know" featuring Wayne Coyne.[38] The latter was in a category that was publicly voted. She was one of eight nominees to gain exactly two nominations.[39]

Her song "Run" was listed on Triple J Hottest 100, 2015 at No. 59.[40] On 6 February 2016 she previewed a track, "Messiah", at a show, which incorporated more pop elements compared to her earlier material.[41] It was released as a single late in 2016 with Australian hip-hop producer, M-Phazes.[42]

2017–2019: "Happy Place" to Awake

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On 22 September 2017 Alison Wonderland was named New Artist of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards.[43] On 21 October 2017 she was ranked No. 89 on British magazine, DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list.[44] On 9 November 2017 she released a track, "Happy Place", ahead of her second album, Awake.[45][46] Kat Bein of Billboard felt, "[it] purposely plays on the wild ups and downs of mental illness. It opens with airy strings and grounding chimes as Wonderland sings about her struggles to remain in sunny spaces. Tensions grows as the build leads to a jungle gym of clashing noise, landing in one of Wonderland's wildest creations to date."[46] Towards the end of 2017, Alison Wonderland embarked on the "Wonderland Scarehouse Project" local tour, a warehouse show tour through Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland with support from Lido, Lunice, Party Favor, and A$AP Ferg among others.

On 6 April 2018, Alison Wonderland released her second studio album titled Awake,[47] which debut at #1 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic charts in the USA.[48] That same week she played at Coachella on the Sahara stage, billed as the highest female DJ to date.[49]

In 2019 Alison Wonderland toured extensively in the US, Europe and Australasia, this included headline slots in at huge festivals like EDC Las Vegas and selling out venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado multiple times. She was given an honorable mention in the 2019 Forbes list of richest DJs, the first time for a female.[50]

2020–2024: Loner

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She is profiled in the 2020 documentary film Underplayed.[51]

On 23 September 2020, Wonderland released "Bad Things",[52] the first single from her third studio album,[53][54] Loner. The album was released on 6 May 2022.[55]

2025: Ghost World

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On 1 August 2025, Wonderland announced her fourth studio album Ghost World would be released in October 2025. It was later delayed to 5 December 2025.[56] The album peaked at number 42 on the ARIA charts.

Personal life

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Mental health

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In 2018, Alison Wonderland revealed that she had been struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, caused by an abusive relationship. She had completely lost her appetite for food and social interaction with others,[57] and attempted suicide at one point.[58] Writing the lyrics for her 2017 album Awake was therapeutic.[59] In 2019, she decided to cancel multiple shows in Europe to focus on her mental health after consulting her managers and personal doctors, with overwhelming support from both numerous fellow DJs, EDM artists and fans alike.[60]

Relationships

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In June 2023, Alison Wonderland gave birth to a son, Max,[61] with then fiancé, American filmmaker Ti West. On Halloween in 2024 she married Ti in Las Vegas.[62]

On 7 August 2025, she announced via Instagram that she is pregnant with her second child. During a Billboard interview in November 2025, she revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage the previous December.[63]

Discography

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Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2025 "U Don't Know" (directed by Prad Senanayake) Best Video Nominated [64]
"Run" Best Dance Release Nominated
2018 Awake Best Female Artist Nominated [65]
Best Dance Release Nominated

Electronic Dance Music Awards

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The Electronic Dance Music Awards (also known as the EDMAs) is an annual music award event focusing across most all electronic dance music genres. It commenced in 2022.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Herself Female Artist of the Year Won [66]
2025 "Satellite" (with Dimension) Music Video of the Year Nominated [67]
Drum and Bass Song of the Year Nominated
2026 Herself Female Artist of the Year Won [68]
"Psycho" — Alison Wonderland, Erick the Architect, QUIX, MEMBA Music Video of the Year Nominated
Main Stage/Festival Song of the Year Nominated
Ghost World Favourite Album Nominated

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Run Australian Album of the Year Nominated [69]

National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016-2020, 2023 and 2026.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Herself Live Electronic Act (or DJ) of the Year Nominated [70]

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

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The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year. It ran from 2010-2015 and 2021-2025

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Alison Wonderland Rolling Stone Global Award Nominated [71]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 Alison Wonderland. allmusic.com
  2. ↑ Jordan Calvano (19 May 2015). "Alison Wonderland Gets A Stunning Future Bass Remix (Premiere)". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Murray, Gordon (19 April 2018). "Alison Wonderland's 'Awake' Arrives at No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums". billboard.com. Billboard.
  4. ↑ Newstead, Al (1 April 2018). "Alison Wonderland on being the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history". triple j. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  5. ↑ "Revealed: Lost My Mind with Alison Wonderland and Dillon Francis". RaveHackers.com. Rave Hackers. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "'Thy New Sound' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 11 November 2017. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' or 'Performer:'
  7. ↑ Shuttleworth, Will (27 September 2017). "'I Want U' to Celebrate Alison Wonderland's Birthday!". EDM.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017. Note: celebrates her 31st birthday.
  8. ↑ Au, Christopher Kevin (27 September 2016). "Happy Birthday Alison Wonderland: Our Favourite Moments on the Road, Caught on Camera". Life Without Andy. Mitch Tomlinson, Mitch Ross. Retrieved 12 November 2017. Note: celebrates her 30th birthday.
  9. ↑ Engel, Lauren (19 November 2015). "Modern Woman: Alison Wonderland". C-Heads. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Sweeney, Farrell (25 January 2019). "Dillon Francis and Alison Wonderland release long-awaited 'Lost My Mind' days before kicking off joint tour". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Dillon Francis, Alison Wonderland drop chaotic "Lost My Mind"". lab.fm. 28 January 2019. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Jeffries, David. "Alison Wonderland | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  13. 1 2 Scibberas, Dominic (July 2012). "Interview Alison Wonderland". Purple Sneakers. Emma Jones, Martin Novosel. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  14. 1 2 McCabe, Kathy (15 March 2015). "DJ Alison Wonderland joins pop's party". The Herald Sun. News Limited. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  15. ↑ Bain, Katie (3 February 2017). "The Night I Fell in Love with Dance Music: Alison Wonderland". Insomniac. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  16. ↑ Flynn, Thomas (24 March 2015). "Album Review: Alison Wonderland – Run (2015 LP)". the AU review. Heath Media. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  17. 1 2 Dave, Sneha (25 April 2012). "Alison Wonderland's Remix Of Sam Sparro's 'I Wish I Never Met You'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 Falcona (2012). "Parklife 2012 – On Tour with Alison Wonderland". Vimeo. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  19. ↑ Payne, Lauren (September 2012). "Listen: Ladyhawke 'Blue Eyes' (Alison Wonderland Remix)". Purple Sneakers. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Australian Chart positions:
  21. ↑ "'Get Ready (feat. Fishing)' – Single". iTunes. January 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  22. ↑ "ACE Repertory – Performer Alison Wonderland Title 'Get Ready'". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 13 November 2017. Note: user may have to enter the title/performer for other tracks to access further information.
  23. ↑ Fuamoli, Sosefina (26 August 2014). "the AU interview: Russell Fitzgibbon of Fishing (Sydney) on Tailoring Shy Glow for Live Audiences, Touring with Broken Bones and More!". the AU review. Heath Media. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  24. ↑ "Alison Wonderland Warns 'Don't Label Me a Female DJ'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  25. ↑ Baroni, Nastassia (27 March 2014). "Alison Wonderland Announces 'Warehouse Project Tour'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  26. ↑ "ACE Repertory – Performer Alison Wonderland Title 'I Want You'". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 13 November 2017. Note: user may have to enter the title/performer for other tracks to access further information.
  27. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  28. ↑ "Alison Wonderland – debut album Run OUT NOWAlison Wonderland". Alisonwonderland.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  29. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "Run – Alison Wonderland | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 November 2017. Note: additional information is available at tabs, e.g. Credits.
  30. ↑ Carley, Brennan (10 February 2015). "Alison Wonderland and Christopher Mintz-Plasse Get Physical in 'U Don't Know' Video". Spin. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  31. ↑ Alison Wonderland – 'U Don't Know ft. Wayne Coyne'. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016 – via YouTube.
  32. ↑ "Alison Wonderland discography". charts.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  33. 1 2 Spence, K. "Alison Wonderland's Debut Album Brings Diversity". Your EDM. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  34. ↑ https://embed.spotify:album:2171Xej1ilxs504JS6eayi [dead link]
  35. ↑ Alison Wonderland – 'Take It to Reality ft. SAFIA'. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016 – via YouTube.
  36. ↑ Alison Wonderland – 'Games'. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016 – via YouTube.
  37. ↑ https://embed.spotify:album:0NxGP4qblRTsHdudzIoRPE [dead link]
  38. ↑ "2015 ARIA Awards – Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  39. ↑ "ARIA Awards". Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  40. ↑ "1–100 List – Hottest 100 2015". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). 11 January 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  41. ↑ Admin (14 May 2017). "Alison Wonderland feat. Lido – 'Messiah (Havok Roth and Kayoh Remix)'". Powerbeatsclub.net. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  42. ↑ Lee, Valerie (2 December 2016). "Alison Wonderland shares 'Messiah' with M-Phazes – News". Mixmag. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  43. ↑ "Twitter". Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  44. ↑ McGraw, Euan. "Top 100 DJs". DJ Mag. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  45. ↑ Murphy, Sam (9 November 2017). "Alison Wonderland Drops Heavy New Banger 'Happy Place'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  46. 1 2 Bein, Kat (9 November 2017). "Alison Wonderland Conjures a 'Happy Place' for Anyone Who's Ever Struggled With Depression". Billboard.
  47. ↑ Prickett, Macon. "Alison Wonderland Releases Sophomore Album AWAKE Out Now". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  48. ↑ "Alison Wonderland's 'Awake' Arrives at No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  49. ↑ "Alison Wonderland Releases Her New Album AWAKE". EDM World Magazine♫♥. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  50. ↑ Mercuri, Monica. "The World's Highest-Paid DJs 2019: The Chainsmokers Topple Calvin Harris With $46 Million". Forbes. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  51. ↑ Alisha Mughal, "TIFF Review: 'Underplayed' Highlights EDM's Diversity Problem — and Shows Why It's So Important to Fix It". Exclaim!, September 16, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Alison Wonderland drops electric new single 'Bad Things'". Purple Sneakers. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  53. ↑ "Alison Wonderland Returns With Trippy Video For New Single "Bad Things"". u Discover Music. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  54. ↑ Dale, Jessica Dale & Wall, Sam (21 January 2020). "We've Got a Big Year Ahead of Us - These Are the Albums That Will Define 2021". The Music. Retrieved 26 January 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  55. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (10 March 2022). "Alison Wonderland Announces New Album, 'Loner'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  56. ↑ "Alison Wonderland Reveals Fourth Album Ghost World". EDM. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  57. ↑ "Alison Wonderland speaks up about mental health, emotional abuse: 'I was completely disintegrating'". Dancing Astronaut. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  58. ↑ Alison Wonderland: Escaping your lowest point, retrieved 3 April 2020
  59. ↑ yokarpow (7 May 2018). "Alison Wonderland Speaks Out For First Time About Attempting Suicide & Finding Her Happy Place". Your EDM. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  60. ↑ "Alison Wonderland cancels shows due to "extreme mental & physical exhaustion"". The Music Network. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  61. ↑ "Alison Wonderland Has Officially Given Birth To A Baby Boy". EDM Maniac. 20 June 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  62. ↑ Cameron, John (4 November 2024). "Alison Wonderland Ties the Knot with Ti West on Halloween in Las Vegas". EDM Identity. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  63. ↑ Bain, Katie (25 November 2025). "Alison Wonderland Opens Up About Her Recent Miscarriage: 'When I'm Ready, I'll Tell My Story'". Billboard. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  64. ↑ Williams, Tom (30 September 2015). "Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett & More Land Early 2015 ARIA Award Nominations". musicfeeds.com.au. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  65. ↑ Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (28 November 2018). "And the ARIA Award Goes To..." Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  66. ↑ "THE RESULTS ARE IN: HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC AWARDS". EDM.com. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  67. ↑ EDM com Staff (24 February 2025). "Nominees Revealed, Fan Voting Opens for 2025 Electronic Dance Music Awards". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  68. ↑ "2026 EDMAs Winners Announced: Here's Who Won Big This Year". iHeart. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  69. ↑ "The J Award 2015". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  70. ↑ "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  71. ↑ "Amy Shark, The Wiggles & Kylie Minogue Among 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
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