Alexa Wilkinson is a young singer/songwriter with an honest and fresh approach to making music. At 20 years old she has just released her debut album called “Appetite Lullaby and is just finishing up a tour with her label mate with Josh Kelley. Its nice to see a musician creating music that’s far from the generic pop that dominates the airwaves but is still accessible and interesting. This is what the kids should be listening to instead of Avril Lavigne…
Alexa was kind enough to answer some of my incredibly challenging questions and will give you an idea of what its like being a young musician finding her way in an incredibly tough industry. You’ll also find a link to the mp3 of her first single “Of Graves”. Here we go:
1) When did you decide that you might like to give this whole “music industry” thing a try? And was that a scary decision?
I decided when I was 16 years old that I wanted to be in the music industry. It wasn’t so much that I was scared, but a little lost and confused about how to really get into it. It was like looking at Mt. Everest and saying “ok. I’m going to have to figure out how to get up this thing”. I think currently I’m at base camp 2.
2) It says in your bio that you’ve been playing music since the age of 10, has music really been the only thing in your life these past 10 years, or do you have other interests?
I played A LOT of sports when I was a kid. Athletics is actually a second love for me. I played soccer and water polo mainly. I also played basketball, softball, ski racing, snowboarding… etc. Since graduating high school though I’ve taken up photography. I have a lot of things I want to do with my life other than write music, but music is my true passion.
3) Tell me a bit about your songwriting process. Do you put words to music, music to words, a combination?
It totally depends. Sometimes I’ll sit down with my guitar and write a guitar part, come up with a melody and then find words to the melody. Other times I’ll start singing some words I think of in the shower or something, find a guitar part that works and go from there. One thing I always have before lyrics is a melody. The melody of the song gives it a certain mood and a certain emotion. I try to capture that emotion lyrically.
4) Your debut album is called Lullaby Appetite, when I first read the title my mind conjured up an combination of Queens of the Stone Age’s “Lullabies to Paralyze” and Guns n’ Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction”… somehow I doubt that has any relevance to what your music sounds like. What can you tell me about title and how it relates to the album?
The title “Lullaby Appetite” refers to anything that helps you sleep at night. Whether it be a “good night” call from a close friend, a hug from your mom, a certain song that puts your mind to rest, or laying in bed with the person you love. I want people to listen to my album and hopefully find one song that sets their mind at peace a little and they can just get lost in the music. TO ME however, the song “Lullaby Appetite” is about a dear friend of mine who lives across the country. He’s also a musician, so in the song I’m basically asking him to play a song to help me rest my mind.
5) What was the process like when you went to record Lullaby Appetite? Did you have most of the songs already written and they simply had to be recorded, or was there some on-the-go writing and creating?
I had the basic elements of the song finished which were the lyrics, melody, and guitar part. When I took it to Josh (Kelley), he put some magic fairy dust on it. Haha. No there was definitely on-the-go creating. We had Ryan Cross (a very talented cellist and bass player) play a cello part to it and it was completely created in the studio that day. Same with the organ (Clarence Alan), drums (Paul Alan), and bass (Josh Kelley). Rick Parker tracked it and also played the slide guitar. It was very much a collaborative effort to make that song the way it is. I’m so proud of it.
6) Did you enjoy recording?
I think recording for me is what crack is to crack heads. I love recording, especially loved recording “Lullaby Appetite”. I have my own little home studio set up; I record and lay down new ideas probably every day.
7) What is performing live like for you? Do you get nervous or do you look forward to getting onstage?
Performing live is probably one of the more amazing things I get to do. I love making the crowd laugh and have a good time. I get nervous sure, but it’s more of an excitement and drive to play the best show I can. Bottom line, nothing makes me happier than being able to get up on stage and share my world with strangers.
8) Who are some of your musical influences?
I have so many influences. I have a large background in jazz and classical music. I try to incorporate that in as many songs as I can. I am mainly influenced by strong female songwriters, such as: Joni Mitchell, Jonatha Brooke, Priscilla Ahn, Erin McKoewn, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, and many others.
9) Your music stands out to me as kind of the opposite of what’s popular in the mainstream. What’s your reaction to Top 40 music that is constantly blasted over radio stations and MTV?
I’m so glad you think my music is different. I really am. That’s what I’ve been trying to achieve. I think that the “traditional” Top 40 sound is dying off. I think the songs that are making Top 40 are mostly mindless rap with an incredible production team behind it. I get frustrated with what many people find appealing but at the same time I’m seeing where the music industry is heading and it gives me hope that my style of music will be respected very shortly. I think people are starved for some reality.
10) And finally, if you could get together with your own personal “supergroup”, whether to write music, or perform onstage who would it include?
Easiest question ever: Josh Kelley, Keaton Simons, Me, Darwin Johnson, Paul Alan, Ryan Cross on cello, Kate Voegele and Trey Lockerbie. We would do some damage.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Alexa. Best of luck and keep in touch when you’re famous!
Alexa Wilkinson - “Of Graves”
June 12th, 2007 at 6:37 am
she is really very good ,but she will take a big chance soon to be a super star