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.”
Listen to “Down” HERE. Watch the official music video HERE.
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.”
Stylistically, “Down” continues Alanna’s evolving blend of pop sensibility and indie rock spirit. Self-produced and deeply hands-on, the song reflects the artistic independence that defines their wider body of work. In the studio, they co-produce and write all of their material while performing the instrumentation themselves.
Originally from Ottawa and now based in Montreal, Alanna Sterling continues to build a reputation as one of Canada’s most dynamic emerging independent artists. Crowned Songwriter and Solo Artist of the Year at the 2025 OMIC Awards, their music balances emotional openness with bold, expressive musicianship.
Drawing inspiration from boundary-pushing artists like Prince, Alanna approaches songwriting as both catharsis and connection. Their work consistently centres themes of healing, resilience, and emotional truth while moving fluidly between intimate vulnerability and anthemic release.
Beyond their recorded work, Alanna has cultivated a substantial global audience through Twitch under the name MermaidUnicorn, where they’ve built a loyal community of nearly 50,000 followers and amassed over 700,000 hours watched since becoming a partnered music streamer in 2018.
Following a six-week residency representing Canadian music during the 2024 Olympics in Paris and the viral success of their single “Goodbye,” Alanna Sterling continues to carve out a singular artistic identity rooted in authenticity, creativity, and emotional connection.
With “Down,” they transform a fleeting moment of chaos into something empowering. It’s proof that sometimes losing your way can lead you exactly where you need to go.
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