Alix Brown is a blonde bombshell a la Brigitte Bardot, Virna Lisi, or Elke Sommer who cites ‘La Cicciolina’ aka Ilona Staller - pop chanteuse, Jeff Koon’s muse, and member of Italian parliament––as a key influence. And so it follows that TORMENTO, Brown’s brand new single, sweeps you away into the gleamy, glowy summer nights of the late sixties and seventies from the very first chord. A fusion of international talent, the TORMENTO track came together between Paris, Los Angeles, and Madrid. Brown contributed vocals from L.A. to music composed by instrumentalist and soundtrack maestro Louis Fontaine with lyrics by Margo Fortuny.

The shimmering recording captures Brown’s Jane Birkin breathiness as she mouths a teasing mix of French and English couplets that dissect a forbidden desire - possibly the prospect of an impromptu menage-a-trois with a rockstar?––alongside references to Emile Zola and ‘Twister.’ This foray into solo recording is the culmination of Brown’s many years in the industry as an in-demand DJ, music supervisor, bespoke playlist curator, and general It girl. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Brown’s been in bands since age sixteen, spending time in Memphis before diving into the NYC scene; she packed up her killer vintage wardrobe and extensive record collection to relocate to L.A. three years ago.

A committed cinephile, Brown is also the Producer of a new short film based on 1968’s cult favorite “Girl on a Motorcycle” which starred Marianne Faithful. (For the 2025 update, Natalia Pizzaro directs and Lou Lou Safran slips on the black leather jumpsuit and into a stream-of-consciousness ride on an authentic Electra Glide Harley.) The TORMENTO single launched in L.A. at the stylish Hollywood private members lounge, Living Room. Under a slowly revolving bronze mirror ball, Alix spun vinyl and the crowd swayed to smooth electro beats. If you like sexy retro cinema, synth wave glamor, Giorgio Moroder, and laidback lounging, this one’s for you.

Hi Alix, It’s FLAUNT. Let’s talk TORMENTO!
Three words that sum up TORMENTO for you?

Dreamy. Seductive. Magnetic.‍

The ideal spot you see TORMENTO being played?

A listening lounge in Italy somewhere, the sun is setting… you’ve got an Aperol spritz or a Campari in your hand… I like to call it ‘soft disco’ because that’s kind of vibe… It's not like, you know, you're going to this banging party or anything.

Ok. Some cinema to get into that sensual European mood?

Baba Yaga (1973) – Score by Piero Umiliani
A surreal, erotic fantasy based on the comic ‘Valentina’ by Guido Crepax blends psychedelic visuals, witchy vibes, and a funky score from Umiliani.

Cosi Come Sei (1978) – Score by Ennio Morricone
Starring Marcello Mastroianni and the beautiful Nastassja Kinski in a taboo laced romance. Morricone’s score is lush and peak sensual cinema.

Daughters of Darkness (1971) - Score by François de Roubaix
A gothic vampire masterpiece starring Delphine Seyrig as the seductive Countess Bathory. The soundtrack is creeping, erotic, and otherworldly.

Who would be your five ideal guests [past or present!] if you were hosting a dream dinner party?

1. Amanda Lear. She’s just the ultimate muse. I love how she’s moved through Salvador Dalí’s surrealist circles and Roxy Music album covers into the world of disco stardom. ‘Blood and Honey' would definitely be on the playlist.

2. Grace Jones would have to be there with her sculptural looks and maybe she would do a performance while hula hooping (which I’ve seen her do before during “Slave to the Rhythm). She’d be the spark for unfiltered conversations and would absolutely own the room the second she arrived to “Pull Up to the Bumper” playing.

3. I’d want Federico Fellini seated nearby, swirling a glass of red wine, filling the air with dreamlike anecdotes. His films turn daily life into myth, and I know he’d make everything at the table feel just a little more cinematic.  His musings with Amanda and Grace would inspire him to create his next film.

4. Serge Gainsbourg would be sat at a piano nearby, playing Chopin’s Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4 in E Minor, while chain-smoking Gitanes and provoking the conversation in the most elegant way.  

5. And finally, David Lynch. A true master of mood and mystery. I’d love to hear him talk with Fellini on dreams. I imagine him showing up in a suit and asking if there’s coffee.

Wow, I totally want to come to that! And finally, I wanted to ask––because it's a line in the song––“Allons-y, Can you play Twister?”

Yes! I can actually. I was a gymnast growing up so I am quite flexible.‍

TORMENTO IS OUT NOW ON FOUR FLIES RECORDS

LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD: https://www.fourfliesrecords.com/product/tormento/

Photographed by Danielle DefoeMakeup: Adriana Bena
Hair: Ian Scott Dorey