Music: Meet Carrie Okay, LØLØ, Salem Ilese, & Alna Form New Alt Pop-Rock Supergroup
Photos by Whitney Otte
Words by Anthony Vu Cao
There’s a new sound shaking up the alternative pop-rock scene. Meet Carrie Okay, the newly formed supergroup bringing together the distinct talents and creative voices of singer-songwriters LØLØ, salem ilese, and Alna. Individually accomplished artists and songwriters in their own right, the trio has joined forces to create something fresh, fearless, and entirely their own.
Blending the raw, emotional edge of ’90s alternative with a distinctly modern pop-rock sensibility, Carrie Okay makes a powerful first impression with their debut single, “High in a Drugstore.” The vulnerable and cathartic track was originally written for another artist, but the connection the three musicians felt to the song was too strong to let it go. Instead, it became the spark that inspired the formation of the group itself. Produced by Andrew Goldstein, the single brings together acoustic-driven melodies, emotionally charged vocals, and the undeniable chemistry between its three members.
With themes of heartbreak, vulnerability, self-discovery, and the unpredictable emotions that come with trying to move on, Carrie Okay is carving out a space where honesty and attitude coexist. Their music embraces the beautifully chaotic moments of life while celebrating the strength that can come from turning personal experiences into something shared.
As Carrie Okay begins this exciting new chapter, GR8T Magazine takes a closer look at the creative forces behind the newly formed supergroup, the story that brought LØLØ, salem ilese, and Alna together, and the making of the debut single that started it all.
Carrie Okay brings together three distinct artistic voices—LØLØ, salem ilese, and Alna. What was the spark that made you realize joining forces as a supergroup could create something truly different from your individual careers?
Alna: I think we all felt it in that first session when we wrote “High In A Drugstore.” We’ve been friends and collaborators for years and that day was no different. We showed up to write a pitch song, but this time ended up with a debut single. The energy was so positive, and the song felt so unique to us we just couldn’t imagine sending it off to someone else. It would’ve been like finding a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk and not picking it up. When you listen to our individual projects, I think you can hear some of the crossover, but that day started a sound that is very specific to Carrie Okay.
Each of you has developed a unique identity as an artist and songwriter. How did you approach blending those different styles while still allowing each member’s personality to shine within Carrie Okay?
Alna: It helps that our writing instincts are very similar to begin with. We like a lot of the same music and naturally gravitate towards similar melodies and lyrics. Our sessions have been so seamless we almost wondered at times if we were doing something wrong. Our personalities come through in details like a particular phrase or word choice, the parts we sing, and the perspectives we each offer. It’s nice that we don’t have to think too hard about making space for that, it just happens organically.
“High in a Drugstore” was originally written for another artist. What was it about the song—and the chemistry you heard in the recording—that made you realize it was too special to give away?
LØLØ: We can’t really put our finger on it, but something just felt different. There was an almost magical energy in the room. When we put all of our voices on the song, it just clicked. The song didn’t feel like it could be pitched to any particular artist…it felt like it belonged to us
The debut single channels the spirit of ’90s alternative rock through a modern lens. What aspects of that era inspired the sound, and how did you make it feel uniquely Carrie Okay?
“Our creative chemistry is super, super strong. Before Carrie Okay, we had written together so many times before for other projects, and it always went great.”
salem: Thankfully, we’ve never had to try and make something feel like Carrie Okay: The band is really just the outcome of all of us in a room. We’re all inspired by the ‘90s in various ways, both sonically and visually. As ‘90s babies, we relate to it, while also romanticizing it to some extent. I think one of the aspects of the ‘90s that appealed to us is the lack of polishedness. There’s a raw edge to a lot of the art that was being made then, which we hoped to accomplish in our music. In an age where everything is pixel perfect, we were craving a bit of grain.
How would you describe the creative chemistry between the three of you in the studio, and were there any moments during the making of “High in a Drugstore” when you thought, “Okay, this is really becoming something special”?
LØLØ: Our creative chemistry is super, super strong. Before Carrie Okay, we had written together so many times before for other projects, and it always went great. When we get together for Carrie Okay, however, it’s like a whole new level of unstoppable. The songs literally pour out of us, and very quickly. It’s almost as if we all share the same brain. Sometimes we’ll even suggest the same melody or same lyric at the same time…it’s kind of freaky!
Working with producer Andrew Goldstein brought another major creative voice into the process. How did his experience and production style help shape the final sound of “High in a Drugstore”?
LØLØ: Andrew is a literal musical genius. He made writing these songs so much fun and so interesting. He always comes into each session ready with a brand new chord progression, and each time they always sound so nostalgic, yet still modern and cool.
Carrie Okay is entering the alternative pop-rock space at a time when genre boundaries are becoming increasingly fluid. What do you hope listeners discover about your sound that they may not expect from the three of you coming together?
salem: We debated a lot about how to classify the group’s sound. The music came first, the conversation of defining it was more of an afterthought. I’ve always struggled with putting music into a box, but it is a necessity, even when those boxes are becoming more amorphous. We coined it as some mix of alt pop and punk mainly because of the use of guitars and biting lyrics. I think people might be surprised about the range of sonic flavors throughout the whole project once they hear it (which will hopefully be soon). We hope listeners take whatever they want to from the songs. Music should be a “choose your own adventure.”
Now that Carrie Okay has officially introduced itself with “High in a Drugstore,” what do you hope this first release says about the identity of the group—and what can fans look forward to next?
salem & Alna: This was the first song we wrote for the project, so we felt that it was a good introduction to us as a group. You’re meeting us at the same place where we met Carrie Okay. I hope people can feel the joy and friendship that went into this project, as corny as that sounds. “High in a Drugstore” is just the beginning. We have so many songs we’ve been selfishly enjoying in the secrecy of our cars and headphones, but sharing is caring. We’re excited for everyone to hear the full picture as we ‘Carrie’ on.
FROM L-R:
TOP ROW: salem ilese, Alna
BOTTOM ROW: LØLØ
Follow and Listen to CARRIE OKAY
YouTube: CARRIE OKAY
Instagram: CARRIE OKAY
TikTok: CARRIE OKAY