Alt-Zalea Fest is a grassroots annual music festival founded in 2016 in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District as a smaller, more community-focused alternative to the Azalea Festival. It highlights local and regional bands across multiple stages, along with food trucks, vendors and a more inclusive neighborhood feel. This year’s lineup included nearly 60 bands across 10 venues.

We caught up with featured artist MK Clewis after the show to talk about the event, her music and what musicians and attendees should know for next year.

Tell us a little about your band, your music and Alt-Zalea Fest.

My name is MK Clewis. My band is made up of me on vocals and guitar, Nick Lyons on lead guitar, Dustin Porter on lead and rhythm guitar, Dustin Wagner on bass, and Daniel Torrence on drums. We are an original and cover alternative rock band out of Hampstead.

Alt-Zalea Fest is a free music festival in the Brooklyn Arts District held annually during the Azalea Festival. It features local musicians and bands throughout the day at multiple local staples and venues in the BAD district. I first learned about it online in one of the Facebook community groups back in 2023 and participated as a duo act at Three10. This year, I was fortunate enough to be invited back with my full band at Goat & Compass.

For musicians wanting to participate in the festival, Alt-Zalea posts a Google Doc form on its social media pages months ahead of time for interested artists to fill out with their information.

What is your personal creative process as a musician?

My personal creative process is to never force anything. For me, songwriting, music and singing are deeply spiritual experiences, and everything comes when it’s time, as loaded as that sounds. For example, I haven’t completed a new song in a year and a half, and that’s OK because it’s just not time yet. The pieces flow, and it comes when it comes.

Tell us about the original music you have out. Where can people find your music and upcoming shows?

My original music is all rock and alternative. I have a new EP coming out later this year, with two lead singles, “Bottomless” and “Burned Me Alive,” as well as my cover of “Black” by Pearl Jam, all already out now.

My music is available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and it’s also available on Bandcamp and my official website. All of my upcoming shows can be found on my website, mkclewis.com, or pinned to the top of my social pages: Facebook at MK Clewis and Instagram at @thriftstorerockstar.

How would you describe your performances to someone who has not seen one yet?

The best way I can describe our performances to someone who hasn’t seen us yet is straight visceral rock ’n’ roll. We are dynamic, with my voice ranging from airy, ethereal, haunting vocals with layered guitars to full-on, in-your-face belting, powerful vocals and angsty distortion. But at the heart of it all is a genuine passion from me and the guys.

What do you like most about the music scene in Wilmington?

The thing I love most about the Wilmington music scene is the diversity and how supportive everyone is of each other. Everyone is always at each other’s shows or finding some way to support one another. There’s enough light for everyone to shine here, and that shows.

I’m also a big fan of the local punk scene here. I’ve never felt so welcomed and accepted in my life. I brought my 1-year-old little girl to the Port City Blitz festival last November, where my band and I kicked off the first day. She got onstage with Green Jellÿ, and it was awesome. I always tell people to take their kids to more rock, punk and metal shows. It’s one of the most loving and safe environments. Just make sure they wear ear protection.

Sound bites

One word that describes our vibe:  Fierce

Favorite venue to play in Wilmington:  That’s too hard. I love them all, and I’m grateful to play anywhere, though I really enjoyed the outdoor stage when I was a solo opener for the free concert series last year at The Eagle’s Dare.

Indoor club or outdoor party?  Outdoor party

Favorite post-set meal: Swedish Fish and a sugar-free Red Bull to balance it out. I usually need some time for the adrenaline to settle before I get hungry after a show, but I always try to go somewhere local in town I haven’t tried yet, if it’s not too late. After Alt-Zalea, I walked to The Kitchen Sink with my girlfriend, Tiff, and tried it for the first time. I had the meatball sub, and it was top-tier. Highly recommend.

Favorite song to perform right now: As far as my originals go, it would be “Bottomless.” My favorite cover to perform right now is a tie between “Judith” by A Perfect Circle and “Ænima” by Tool.