Piping Hot: Local TikTok sensation Ally the Piper plays The Egg’s Hart Theater Wednesday night

When local bagpiper Ally the Piper created a TikTok post of Five Metallica Songs You Didn’t Know Could Bagpipe, the backlash was mean and critical. On some level, she may have anticipated the heavy metal fans’ reaction to her quirky and unexpected takes on the beloved band’s music.

That was what she expected, but what happened next—that Metallica came to her rescue and even defended her musicianship online—was somewhat unexpected.

The TikTok sensation has simply exploded on the internet. She is combining with electric violinist Mia Asano to release four singles, including the latest titled “Free Bird” (yep, the Lynyrd Skynyrd’s timeless classic), to be released on October 27th. The two take viral hits and infuse them with bagpipes, Irish whistle, and electric violin, reimagining classic songs into what they call “the ultimate power duet.”

These musicians met on TikTok when they both ended up in the same duet chain, followed each other, and quickly discovered they were musical soul mates. They are performing at The Egg’s Hart Theatre on Wednesday, October 25th. 

Since bagpipes aren’t exactly what I think of when I think of metal hits, I went over to TikTok and discovered that Ally is not only a trained musician, she’s a mature young woman who is dramatically attractive in her presentation of the Scottish culture. (That’s “mom” for she’s hot, kids.)

Ally is from Nippertown. She grew up in Latham, learning music through North Colonie School’s music programs.

I asked her about her interest in music and wasn’t surprised to learn that she plays many instruments. “I  grew up in Latham, NY. So, I went to Shaker High School! I graduated from there in 2014. Some of my favorite memories were, of course, my time in the music ensembles.”

Ally started with a bagpipe outside of school, of course.

“My dad legally adopted me when I was 12 years old, and his family is Scottish-American. At that point, I had been playing various musical instruments (piano, vocals, and several woodwinds) and wanted to connect with my new adopted heritage through music. So, in a roundabout way, the bagpipes found me!” she shared with high enthusiasm.

So, how does one start out on the bagpipe as a young teen? “I started learning with a youth bagpipe band in Albany, New York, called the Scotia Glenville Pipe Band, and I became very invested very quickly,” she explained. “I loved that the instrument was so different from anything I had done before, and it posed a great challenge. A few years later, I went to Scotland with that band and won the world championships.”

Bagpipe is notoriously challenging, and I was impressed she was even attempting world championships at such a young age. But Ally seemed unphased by the challenges. “I went on to compete solo for many years, getting a ton of championships under my belt. I began teaching during this time as well, and still teach (when I’m not on tour) with the youth band I started with!”

Mixed into this experience was Ally continuing to play in jazz, choir, wind ensemble, and her own bagpipe rock band called Pipin’ Hot, which covered rock songs at school events.

I admitted to her that I had never seen female bagpipers and was surprised by her tenacity in joining such a male-dominated field. Ally quickly corrected me, noting that she even studied with female teachers.

“I was so fortunate to learn from a woman and to have some amazing women to look up to when I was starting out. The year that I started was the year that the first woman and youngest contestant won the most esteemed bagpiping award of all time, the Gold Medal. Her name is Faye Henderson, and she’s only a few years older than me, so I was extremely inspired,” Ally noted. 

She did acknowledge a lot of sexism in the field, still, and confronted it head-on even as a younger player. “Many traditionalists believe that women shouldn’t be allowed to play and refuse to take on women as students. Times are improving, but there is a long way to go.”

Naysayers couldn’t imagine the places Ally would perform and the audiences she would reach courtesy of TikTok. Ally is joining up with Mia for a show at the Egg this week. In fact, it was so popular that the theatre was changed to the larger Hart Theatre within the venue.

“ My show with Mia is a wide variety of genres. Everywhere from folk tunes to heavy metal, but on the electric violin and bagpipes! The show features both covers and original music and is highlighting the newest songs from our duo album “Mia x Ally: The Viral Hits.” We have moments of humor and personality infused into the set and moments where we recognize some heavier topics. We are both very passionate about mental health awareness, and we take a moment in the show to emphasize that as well,” Ally promised.

Tickets are still available, although they are going fast. TikTok sensations Mia x Ally aren’t likely to come through Nippertown again soon. It certainly promises to be a night to expect the delightfully unexpected.