Article by Jordan Budney
Every performer has their own pre-show ritual. Some may meditate, some may take a shot of alcohol, but Alli Vega metaphorically puts her own brain in a glass jar on the side of the stage.
Vega, better known as Scorpio, is a musician, producer, and talent buyer located in the D.C. area. Although music seems to come to her naturally, she started off just like any other music lover and had to discover her true passions.
Growing up in Needham, Massachusetts, Vega was surrounded by her immediate and extended family, but she could not help but stare at the ground when she performed. She began guitar lessons in high school even though her parents were weary because she never practiced piano.
Vega participated in a few of her high school’s cover bands, then got a message on Tumblr from a close friend asking to start a band at American University. This band became known as Lavender and Vega would play with them for the next five years.
“I was already doing a lot of the work solo, so I decided to start releasing music at first under my actual name Alli Vega, and then I just had to start going by Scorpio,” Vega said.
Thus began her solo project, Scorpio. Now was the time for Vega to create her own music, and although she thinks it is a little bit silly, she is heavily influenced by whatever she listens to.
“It’s so easy for me to hear something in a song or go to a concert and be like, ‘I want to do that,’ and kind of reverse engineer it, and then figure out how to make a song off the version that I’ve created,” Vega said.
Vega was writing and recording more original songs, and after showing a friend some of her tracks she was asked to play for a DIY show. About a week later, someone from D.C.’s 9:30 Club asked her to open a show. Vega’s so-called “side project” was now opening for sold-out crowds.
Although Scorpio is Vega’s solo project, she does not work alone. Brandon Brazil, a college friend and now one of Scorpio’s guitarists and producers said when Vega began self-producing, she did not like her voice and would drown it in reverb.
“She’s gotten a lot more confident with her singing and is not as effect-heavy with the vocals,” Brazil said.
Although Brazil is a busy guy, Vega needs his help to get the mixing done, making it hard for her to consistently churn out new songs. One of her biggest challenges is staying motivated and consistent when playing shows.
Vega discovered that if you look like you are having fun, people will enjoy the show. Sean Caralon, Scorpio’s bassist since December 2018, said his favorite show he’s ever played was back in Boston where Vega’s family came decked out in Scorpio merch.
“The vibe was immaculate. The energy that Alli’s family brought to that show, it’s honestly one of my favorite shows we ever played,” Caralon said.
Vega said she is going to take the time now to focus on releasing more tracks and is hopeful to have them out within the next few months. Every artist takes their own path that best suits them, and although Vega finds it challenging to balance all aspects of her life, she is grateful for the opportunities and support she has received from everyone to help create Scorpio.