What is your name?
Alexandra Raé or Alex
What is your genre of music?
Somewhere between a Rock and a Motown.
Are you a signed?
Not yet.
You have a new EP ‘ Power To Me’ , tell us more about the EP.
It’s a fun little bop that my good friend Tom Wardle had this sick baseline that Scott Bennett and I just loved. As soon as he played that 7 note riff we all exploded with ideas. The song itself is an assertion of independence.
What is the meaning behind the Ep.
It’s meant to comfort, excite, relieve, anger, amuse and some other emotions that come with learning about yourself and other people. I have always felt more enlightened by overcoming a bad experience rather than sitting comfortably in a good one. Each song kind of has its own overcoming and realization story.
Describe each track in two words.
Take a Beat: Dancing, Freedom
Power to Me: Red, Confident
The Life That You Gave Away: Moving on
Crazy: Painful, Vodka
Love That’s True: Treat yo’self
Don’t Worry Baby: Beach Boys, Silky
What was the writing process like?
Scott, Tom and I had a jam session in my apartment when we liked something, we would keep playing that one part and I would let my voice go until I found something more than just a melody. When it actually came to writing the words, I would play the base chord progression alone over and over again and when the time was right, I could just see the words starting to come together and hear them with the melodies. I could hear different directions the song could go and I would pick the one that excited me the most. There were a lot of days that felt stagnant and then other days where I couldn’t stop writing.
What was the recording process like?
So much fun. It was dark when I needed it to be like for “Crazy”. Then, when recording “Take a Beat” for example, we would light up the place and make it feel like I was up at 1am dancing in my room alone (which happens obvi).
I recorded at Blue Suede Studios in Los Angeles. Recording vocals 5ft away from a life size Elvis Presley statue was an EP highlight. A friend of my Shane Solosky, who is a baller on the bass, owns the studio. He’s not just the guy that owns the studio; He loves good music, so naturally (wink) he was on a couple of my tracks as well.
Who did you work with on the Ep with?
Tom Wardle, a fantastic recording artist. He helped produce the album as well. Scott Bennett, the mad mixer. He’s a perfectionist and the kind of producer that is like “hmm I don’t like 3 note progression right there, so I’ll just go rerecord every instrument right now to fix it”. I learn form him everyday.
Tom and Scott are family to me and I 100% will work with them both more.
Will we see a music video for any of the tracks?
Yes, yes.
Do you have any shows coming up or a tour in planning?
Possibly.
If so where will you be heading
Something along the west coast for now;)
What else can we expect in 2019?
More music, more on screen stuff, more creating. I’ll always be creating.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
Sure do.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Yeah I mean, I’m down to collaborate with musicians that I vibe with. You know, I don’t care if they make hip-hop, jazz, metal or somewhere in-between. It’s about their mind, heart, and goals.
For collaborations, you can email Alexandraraemusic@gmail.com.
Do you play any instruments?
Yeah, I play piano, drums, a bit of bass and guitar.
Who are your influences?
Amy Winehouse for her freedoms in phrasing and the appreciation she had for classic music. Gaga and Miley for their open hearts. They both make vulnerable music that people like. Also Frank Sinatra for his melodies, he went to new places. Kurt Cobain for his lyrics that say so much with so little; His words are devastating and beautiful. Alicia Keys because, duh. The list goes on but those are just a few.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Real life, imagination, really anyone or anything that activates an idea in my mind.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Touring the world. SNL musical guest but like the kind who’s also in the skits. I love me some SNL.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Writing, school, coaching lacrosse, drawing my friends profiles, homemade sushi with my man, paintball, playing Durok with friends, mixology, making silly videos, traveling, dancing, FaceTiming with my family, you know, I stay busy.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Probably, “Oops, I Did it Again”. When I was like way young I used to dress up and put Britney’s concerts on and perform with her for my family. Childhood highlights for sure.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
You don’t have to believe something because someone tells you too.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Trust yourself.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Porque no los dos.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? To my apartment for like 3 days without leaving.
2/ Who do you see first? My sweet man Kurt Doss.
3/What do you eat first? Great White Hut tacos.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
A big warm jacket, brandy, honey, water, my hat.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
IG: @ ___alexandrarae ,Twitter: @AlxndraRae , Facebook: Alexandra Raé , Tumblr: @alxndrarae , Youtube: ALXNDRA
Listen to POWER TO ME HERE
