This time around, we're shining the spotlight on Sarah O'Malley, the creative force behind Xhalisse! As the founder, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter, Sarah has steered the band’s journey from a solo project to an alternative rock ensemble that blends dream pop, grunge, and ethereal sounds. We sat down with Sarah to delve into the inspirations, creative process, and vision behind Xhalisse, and to learn more about what makes this band one to watch in the alternative scene.
The Journey from Solo Artist to Band Leader
Your role as the founder and lead vocalist of Xhalisse is pivotal. Can you share the inspiration behind the formation of the band and how your personal musical journey influences its direction?
Sarah O'Malley: " I started off playing the songs I’d written for Xhalisse live as a solo artist around 2018/19. Some of those songs I kept as solo acoustic pieces, while others evolved into Xhalisse tracks. For live shows at that time, I’d use recorded loops because I wanted the sound to go beyond pared-back, simple instrumentation, but I was limited in what I could do solo. I love the recording process and adding layers—textures, different instrumental parts, harmonies, etc.
“I brought in my brother Dave, longtime ex/co-parent Matty, and good friend Alida to join me for a launch gig, which worked well for that purpose, but it didn’t pan out long-term. Over time, the band’s lineup has changed—Riley was with us on drums for about 18 months before Guy joined, and everyone who’s been involved has added to the evolution of our sound in one way or another.
“I’ve always wanted to make music that shifts between different extremes—dark/light, sweet, lush instrumentation/raw, heavy, loud. I think that’s because I’m naturally drawn to extremes, both artistically and otherwise. A big part of the journey has been honing and refining my own musical style, figuring out what really matters to me, and bringing that to the band. These days, I write the lyrics, chords, and melodies, then we flesh it out together, and I feel really fortunate to play with such expressive, intuitive, and talented musicians.”
Crafting an Eclectic Sound
Your music blends a range of genres and styles. How do you navigate these different influences when writing songs? What's the creative process behind integrating your vocals, guitar, piano/keys, and flute into the band's sound?
Sarah O'Malley: “My musical influences are a real eclectic melting pot. If you look into my playlist, you’ll find everything from Sufjan Stevens to The Pixies, Lana Del Rey, Wolf Alice, Beach House, Chelsea Wolfe, Tool, Radiohead, and even classical composers like Debussy and Tchaikovsky.. The one thing they usually have in common is a level of expressiveness and emotional intensity, plus a dreamlike or otherworldly quality.
“One way I navigate this is by keeping my songwriting fairly vague, using metaphor and poetry rather than making things too specific. I’m generally not a narrative songwriter, which makes it easier to distill the main concept and make the music really emotive—letting the instruments, texture, and dynamics tell the story. Adding instruments and harmonies is the fun part. I play around, trying out the songs on different instruments to find the best fit, which is a very intuitive and experimental process. Sometimes, we even end up with two completely different versions of the same song—for example one of the tracks on the upcoming album is called ‘A Day Out of Time,’ and there are two completely distinct versions of it—one is a piano version with an orchestral build, and the other is an electric guitar-based rock version with a wicked grunge beat and build. I love them both.”
Musical Vision: The Soundtrack of a New Film?
If Xhalisse's music could be the soundtrack to any film or book, which one would you choose and why? How do you think your music would enhance the narrative or atmosphere?
Sarah O'Malley: “This is an interesting one because it probably hasn’t been made yet! One of my goals for Xhalisse is to land a sync license deal, ideally with an independent Australian film that explores similar emotive concepts as our songs. My pick would be either ‘A Day Out of Time’ or ‘Running Circles’ in a visually striking, Australian-based post-apocalyptic thriller. I can picture it so clearly, and it feels like a perfect fit.
“The music would enhance the narrative because both the film and the songs have otherworldly elements that balance beauty and dissonance, with high contrast and dynamic shifts. They blend elements that are modern and gritty, as well as ancient and primal, so for me, this is the goal!”
A Balance of Camaraderie and Creative Freedom
How do you see your role within Xhalisse, not just as a frontwoman but within the group dynamics? Can you share a story that highlights the band's camaraderie and how your role plays into it?
Sarah O'Malley: “Xhalisse is definitely my creative vision, and I’ve been lucky enough to have the band fully on board with realising that vision. There’s never been a time where we’ve disagreed on the main gist of a song—whether it’s the dynamic arc, concept, or melody. We’re all enthusiastic and respectful of each other’s ideas, which creates a really cool dynamic. We tend to pick what clicks and run with it, but there are songs we haven’t really worked on yet. Maybe they’ll be revisited as Xhalisse tracks in the future, or they’ll stay solo pieces.
“One of the things that really stands out is our rehearsals. We record audio during our sessions, and it’s almost 50/50 between actual music and in-between song banter. It’s really funny listening back when we’re channeling the most serious, emotive song at 100%, and then the instant it’s over, we all ‘break character’ and start joking around like idiots. It’s a great example of our camaraderie and our ability to take what we do very seriously, but not ourselves.”
About Sarah O'Malley
Sarah O'Malley is a multifaceted musician, producer, and community arts facilitator based in the Midwest. She began her journey as a solo acoustic artist, performing locally since 2012 and earning a reputation for her soulful, expressive performances. Her solo project evolved into Xhalisse in 2019, blending dream pop, alternative rock, and ethereal soundscapes to craft a unique, emotive sound. Beyond her work as a musician, Sarah is a dedicated mentor, running songwriting workshops, nurturing young artists, and leading collaborative projects that foster inclusion and creativity. Her vision is to create spaces where music can inspire connection, expression, and personal growth.
About Xhalisse
Emerging from the enigmatic landscapes of Midwestern Australia, Xhalisse blends ethereal dream pop with grunge-infused heavy rock to create a mesmerizing sonic tapestry. Led by Sarah O'Malley, the band’s sound weaves distorted melodies, haunting lyrics, and diverse instrumentation, including violin, trumpet, and flute. Violinist Mel Carter, drummer Guy, and multi-instrumentalist Nick Mondello complete the lineup, bringing their unique talents and influences to create a sound that explores the balance of light and shade, the modern and the primal. With their evocative music and energetic live performances, Xhalisse invites listeners to explore a world where dreams and reality intertwine.
Stay tuned for more updates from Xhalisse, as they continue to captivate audiences with their unique blend of ethereal beauty and raw, gritty energy. With new projects on the horizon, the future is bright for this band from the Midwest.
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