{{short description|American singer-songwriter}} {{distinguish|Alice Cohn}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = Alice Wikipedia Headshot.jpg | birth_name = Alice Melinda Cohen | caption = Cohen in 2021 | alias = Alice Desoto | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|11|25}} | birth_place = Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|New wave|synth-pop|alternative rock|indie rock|experimental pop|lo-fi}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards|guitar|bass guitar}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician|fine artist}} | years_active = 1978–present | label = {{hlist|Chrysalis|Atlantic|Mercury|Dutch East|Roadrunner|Lungcast|Evil Teen|Spare Me|Zilcho|BMG|Olde English Spelling Bee|Crinoline|Sixteen Tambourines|NNA Tapes|Styles Upon Styles|Dinosaur City}} | website = {{URL|alicecohen.com}} | past_member_of = {{hlist|The Vels|Die Monster Die|Helivator|Fun City}} }} '''Alice Melinda Cohen''' (born November 25, 1958) also known by the stage name '''Alice Desoto''', is a New York City-based American singer, songwriter, musician and fine artist. She has performed as the lead vocalist for two major label bands, the Vels and Die Monster Die. The Vels were the more commercially successful of the two, with their 1984 single "Look My Way" peaking at No. 72 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Cohen has also pursued a solo career and has released eight studio albums since 2008.
== Early years == Alice Melinda Cohen was born on November 25, 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Conshohocken, and later Center City in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of two professional jazz pianists, Robert Cohen (died 2019) and Harriet Levin Cohen (died 2002).<ref name="Impose">{{Cite web|url=https://imposemagazine.com/features/alice-cohens-house-of-mirrors|title=Alice Cohen's House of Mirrors|first=Liz|last=Pelly|work=Impose|date=October 29, 2015}}</ref> Her father Robert was a respected figure in the Philadelphia jazz community, having performed for decades in the area, and he also had a chance performance with highly influential saxophonist Charlie Parker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/inquirer/obituary.aspx?n=robert-mortimer-cohen&pid=194040842|title=ROBERT COHEN — Obituary|work=legacy|date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>
Her parents would have jam sessions, and her father had a small 2 track recording studio in their basement at one point, which is where she started recording her demos.<ref>{{cite web | title=Alice Cohen (The Vels, die Monster die, Shag Motor Pony, Karen Young) | date=25 August 2025 | url=https://walkonthewildsidenyc.substack.com/p/alice-cohen-the-vels-die-monster }}</ref>
== Career == === The Vels === Cohen is best known for her work as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the Vels, a Philadelphia new wave and synth-pop band that she co-founded in 1980. In 1984, they signed a recording contract with Mercury Records and released two studio albums, ''Velocity'' (1984) and ''House of Miracles'' (1986), neither of which charted. However, they had one minor hit ("Look My Way") and a successful MTV music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNv6AOcBL7c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hNv6AOcBL7c |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Vels - Look My Way |via=YouTube |date=2006-07-22 |accessdate=2020-04-10}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
The Vels toured the U.S. in 1986, opening for English rock band the Psychedelic Furs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nts.live/artists/54542-the-vels|title=The Vels|accessdate=17 June 2020}}></ref>
== Musical history == In 1980, Cohen wrote the disco song "Deetour" for Karen Young which was then released as a single in 1982,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Karen-Young-Deetour/release/217086|title=Karen Young - Deetour|year=1982 |publisher=Discogs}}</ref> re-released on ''Horse Meat Disco'' in July 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Andy |url=http://www.thevine.com.au/blog/andyr/lost-n-found--_--%27deetour%27-by-karen-young.aspx |title=Lost n Found - 'Deetour' by Karen Young |work=TheVine |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010091518/http://www.thevine.com.au/blog/andyr/lost-n-found--_--%27deetour%27-by-karen-young.aspx |archive-date=2009-10-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Horse-Meat-Disco/release/1862788 |title=Horse Meat Disco (2009, CD) |date=July 2009 |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref> To date this is the only time that she has written a song for someone else. The track "Souvenirs" was originally written for the Bangles but the recording deal failed to materialise and the song was instead recorded for the Vels' second studio album, ''House of Miracles''.<ref name="Impose"/>
After the Vels broke up in 1987, Cohen's career changed direction and she became active in the indie rock and underground touring scene. Cohen's best-known venture in this period was the band Die Monster Die. DMD released two studio albums: 1992's ''Chrome Molly'' on Dutch East, and 1994's ''Withdrawal Method'' on Roadrunner Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/die-monster-die-mn0000220204/discography |title=Die Monster Die | Album Discography |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref> The band broke up soon after. (N.B. In 2000, another band, founded in Salt Lake City in 1995 as Casa Diablo, renamed itself DieMonsterDie; this band is unrelated to the band Cohen was in.<ref>{{cite web|first=Eduardo |last=Rivadavia |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/die-monster-die-mn0000220204 |title=Die Monster Die | Biography & History |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref>)
In 1996, Cohen sang a track (on camera) in the Martin Scorsese-produced musical comedy-drama film ''Grace of My Heart'' (1996), directed by Allison Anders.
In recent years, Cohen has performed frequently as a solo act, as well as collaborating with a number of groups including LYDSOD, Long Lost, Raw Thrills,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gunktvrecords.bandcamp.com |title=Music |publisher=Gunktvrecords |via=Bandcamp |date=2011-08-24 |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref> Castles, and Espadrille.<ref>{{cite web|first=Rick |last=Anderson |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/swimmeret-mw0001231578 |title=Swimmeret - Espadrille | Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref> In 2008, she released her debut solo studio album ''Sky Flowers'' on her self-owned label Crinoline Records. Other solo studio albums include ''Walking Up Walls'' (2009), ''Pink Keys'' (2012), ''Wild Vines & Tenement Shrines'' (2013), ''Into the Grey Salons'' (2016), ''Artificial Fairytales'' (2019), ''Moonrising'' (2022), and her most recent album, ''Archaeology'' (2025).
With the release of Cohen's solo albums, she became active in video and animation, creating music videos to accompany her own releases,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitation-rites.com/2010/01/sightings-alice-cohen-memories-of-glaciers-video/ |title=Sightings: Alice Cohen, 'Memories of Glaciers' Video |website=Visitation-rites.com |date=January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910043657/http://www.visitation-rites.com/2010/01/sightings-alice-cohen-memories-of-glaciers-video/ |archive-date=2011-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://chocolatebobka.blogspot.com/2009/08/video-alice-cohen-black-pepper.html/ |title=Alice Cohen 'Black Pepper' |publisher=Chocolate Bobka |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808185140/http://chocolatebobka.blogspot.com/2009/08/video-alice-cohen-black-pepper.html |archive-date=2012-08-08}}</ref> as well as composing soundtracks for other animations and video projects.
== Visual arts == Cohen's collages and paintings have appeared in galleries in New York City, San Francisco and elsewhere. She has made music videos for dozens of indie bands and musicians.
In 2008, Cohen began to produce animated music videos for artists such as Ducktails,<ref>{{cite web |last=Stosuy |first=Brandon |url=http://stereogum.com/66511/new_ducktails_video_landrunner/video/ |title=New Ducktails Video – 'Landrunner' |website=Stereogum |date=2009-04-27 |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref> Coasting,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gorillavsbear.net/2010/06/video-premiere-coasting-kids.html |title=video premiere: Coasting {{!}} 'Kids' |date=2010-06-10 |publisher=Gorilla vs. Bear |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327074130/http://www.gorillavsbear.net/2010/06/10/video-premiere-coasting-kids/ |archive-date=2012-03-27}}</ref> Broken Deer,<ref>{{cite web|last=Gordon |first=Holly |url=http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/screening-of-broken-deeralice-cohen-video/Content?oid=1663024 |title=Screening of Broken Deer/Alice Cohen Video |work=The Coast |date=2010-05-27 |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref> and Greatest Hits,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://alteredzones.com/posts/410/premiere-greatest-hits-ambulance-video/ |title=Premiere: Greatest Hits: "Ambulance" Video |publisher=Altered Zones |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124051658/http://alteredzones.com/posts/410/premiere-greatest-hits-ambulance-video/ |archive-date=2010-11-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> using found imagery and objects in traditional cutout and stop motion animation style.
Other video and animation work includes "Single Sentence Animations" for the independent publisher ''Electric Literature''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.electricliterature.com/electric-literature-media.html |title=''Electric Literature'' media |work=Electric Literature |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117165243/http://www.electricliterature.com/electric-literature-media.html |archive-date=2010-11-17}}</ref> as well as gallery and installation work. Cohen animated 17 episodes of the 2016 TV show ''Single + Swiping'' for Full Screen Network.
In 2010, Cohen had her first solo exhibition of visual works including video, collage, and installation, which took place at Live with Animals gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livewithanimals.org/2010_08_01_archive.html |title=Alice Cohen at Live with Animals |date=2010-08-07 |publisher=Live With Animals |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727035229/http://www.livewithanimals.org/2010_08_01_archive.html |archive-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://artforum.com/inprint/issue=201009&id=26646 |title=Christian Holstad |journal=Artforum |date=2010-11-01 |volume=49 |issue=3 |accessdate=2020-04-10}}</ref>
Her work has been screened at Anthology Film Archives, the Film-Makers' Cooperative, Printed Matter, Inc., Microscope Gallery, Millennium Film Workshop, the New Museum, the Morbid Anatomy Museum, and the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland.
== Discography == === Solo releases === * ''Sky Flowers'' (2008) (Crinoline Records) * ''Walking Up Walls'' (2009) (Olde English Spelling Bee) * ''Pink Keys'' (2012) (Olde English Spelling Bee and Crinoline Records) * ''Wild Vines and Tenement Shrines'' (2013) (Sixteen Tambourines Records) * ''Into the Grey Salons'' (2015) (Olde English Spelling Bee and Crinoline Records) * ''Artificial Fairytales '' (2019) (NNA Tapes) * ''Moonrising'' (2022) (Styles Upon Styles and Dinosaur City Records) * ''Archaeology'' (2025) (Crinoline Records)
=== With the Vels (Mercury Records) === * ''Velocity'' (1984) ** "Private World/Hieroglyphics 12" Dub" (1984) ** "Look My Way/Tell Me Something 12" Dub" (1984) * ''House of Miracles'' (1986) ** "Girl Most Likely To 12" Dub" (1986)
=== With Die Monster Die === ** "Planet b/w Blackwater Trailer Park Blue" 7" (Deadbolt Records) (1992) ** "Slumber b/w Pennies" 7" (Roadrunner Records) (1993) ** "Barknuckle b/w Wallflower Garden" 7" (Funky Mushroom Records) (1993) * ''Chrome Molly'' (Johnson Brothers Music/Dutch East India Trading) (1993) * ''Withdrawal Method'' (Roadrunner Records) (1994)
=== With Espadrille (Spare Me Records) === * "Swimmeret" (2001) * "Bikini Girl" b/w Hollow Sidewalk 7" (1999)
=== With Moroccos === * "3D Sound B/W Soul Safari" 7" (t.m.i Products) (1982) * "t.m.i. 015 A Compilation" (t.m.i Products) (1982)
=== With Helivator (Lungcast) === * ''Gasoline T-Shirt'' (1994)
=== Appearing on === * "Feed a Pigeon, Breed a Rat" Zach Philiips (la Loi) (2021) * "Blue Ragu Volume 2" Blue Jazz TV (Galtta) (2018) * "The New Age" Nick Stevens (Galtta) (2018) * "Karaoke Life" Blue Jazz TV (Hunka Vinyl) (2018) * "Chiba Girl" Blue Jazz TV (Hunka Vinyl) (2018) * "Vacation Man" Adrian Knight (Galtta) (2018) * "On the Prowl Again" Adrian Knight (Galtta) (2016) * "Radio Scenic Glow Vol. 1" Compilation (Upstairs) (2009) * "Africa Germany Germany Mexico Turkey Australia" (Olde English Spelling Bee) (2009) * "Breakout" Compilation (Compilation, Chrysalis Records) (1979) * "Deetour" (songwriter) Karen Young (Atlantic Records) (1980) * "Greetings from Port Authority" Benna (Evil Teen Records) (1996) * "The Best of Nilsson" Nilsson (BMG) (1998)
== Filmography == === Music videos === * "Landrunner" — Ducktails (2009) * "Ichthus Hop" — Talbot Tagora (2009) * "Black Pepper" — Alice Cohen (2009) * "Memories of Glaciers" — Alice Cohen (2009) * "White Woman" — Broken Deer (2010) * "Kids" — Coasting (2010) * "Ambulance" — Greatest Hits (2010) * "Where the Walls Are Made of Grass" — Fergus and Geronimo (2010) * "Totem" — Weekends (2010) * "Marsupial Shenanigans" — Linda Hagood (2010) * "Ice Cream" — Big Gold Belt (2011) * "The Gutter" — K-Holes (2011) * "Dream World" — Majical Cloudz (2011) * "Swells" — Norse Horse (2011) * "Baltika 9" — Deleted Scenes (2011) * "Earth to Friend" — Pop Winds (2011) * "Broken Heartscape" — Vomit Heat (2011) * "Sludgy Dreams" — The Band in Heaven (2011) * "Same Old Same Old" — Coasting (2012) * "Saxophones are Golden" — Octa#grape (2012) * "Gone in a Second" — John Singer Sergeant (2012) * "Private Booths for Sallow Suits" — Human Resources (2012) * "Jungle of Vines" — Alice Cohen (2012) * "The Phantom's Theme" — Ruckus Roboticus (2013) * "Black Magic" — Maria Minerva (2013) * "Swords" — Lovers and Reflections (2013) * "Music Television" — The Band in Heaven (2013) * "Alpha Beta" — MAYa (2014) * "In White Relief" — Archie Bronson Outfit (2014) * "Don't Go" — Quinn (2014) * "In the Morning" — Lizard Kisses (2014) * "Spiritual" — Tidal Channel (2015) * "Children Games" — Mirage (2015) * "Dress Well" — Tigue (2015) * "California Numbers" — Douglas Miles Clarke (2015) * "Go" — Underground System (2018) * "Heleyos" — Mitra Sumara (2018) * "Swaying Plants" — Linda "Goldie" Hagood (2019) * "Suzie" — The Sweethearts (2020)
=== Art videos === * "Spools" (2009) * "Trance Actions" (2010) * "Mirror Moves for Private Eyes" (2010) * "Ear Candy" (2010) * "For Claire" (2011) * "Perfumes of Venus" (2014) * "Elegant Interiors" (2014) * "Spirit of the Magpie" (2015)
=== Other commissioned work === * "Three Girls" — Single Sentence Animation for Electric Literature (2009) * "Baba Iaga and the Pelican Child" — Single Sentence Animation for Electric Literature (2010) * ''The BJ Rubin Show'' — Cable Access Television Show (2014–2020) * ''Single + Swiping'' — TV Docu-series (Full Screen Media Network) (2016) * "Skeleton Woman" — Animation for a story by Olivia Wyatt (2019)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website}} * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0001821062}} * [https://alicecohen.bandcamp.com/ Alice Cohen] at Bandcamp * {{discogs artist}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080501131227/http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/04/24/alice-in-the-hinterlands Interview] with Alice Cohen in the ''Philadelphia City Paper'' * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120308092226/http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=5503 Foxy Digitalis review] of ''Walking Up Walls'' studio album * [http://www.thedelimagazine.com/nyc/bestofs/2008.php The Deli review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530052823/http://www.thedelimagazine.com/nyc/bestofs/2008.php |date=2010-05-30 }} of ''Sky Flowers'' studio album
{{The Vels}}
{{Authority control}} {{Commons category}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cohen, Alice}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century American Jews Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters Category:20th-century American women singers Category:21st-century American Jews Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:21st-century American women singers Category:American electronic musicians Category:American people of Austrian descent Category:American rock songwriters Category:American women in electronic music Category:American women singer-songwriters Category:American women pop singers Category:American women rock singers Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Bertelsmann Music Group artists Category:Chrysalis Records artists Category:Jewish American songwriters Category:Jewish American musicians Category:Jewish American singers Category:Jewish women songwriters Category:Mercury Records artists Category:Roadrunner Records artists Category:Sarah Lawrence College alumni Category:Singers from Philadelphia Category:Singer-songwriters from Pennsylvania