Dec. 15, 2025
Lexie on Creativity, Honest Songwriting, and Her Merry Lexmas Album
The player is loading ...
In this episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick sits down with singer songwriter Lexie for an engaging conversation about music, creativity, and storytelling. Lexie shares how she first got into music and the moment it became something she wanted to pursue seriously. She talks about the artists who have influenced her sound and how those influences shape the way she approaches songwriting.
Lexie also discusses her creative process and how she pulls from real life experiences, relationships, and emotions to write songs that feel honest and relatable. She reflects on the role vulnerability plays in her music and why staying connected to personal stories matters in her work.
The episode also highlights Lexie’s new Christmas album, Merry Lexmas, and what inspired her to create a holiday project alongside her original music. Listeners can check out, buy, or download the album here: https://lnk.to/MerryLexmas
1
00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,480
Welcome to Stories worth
hearing, I'm your host, John
2
00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:06,040
Quick.
On today's episode, I am joined
3
00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:10,640
by Lexi, a singer-songwriter
whose music blends pop, country
4
00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:14,400
and acoustic influences with a
strong focus on storytelling.
5
00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,520
We talked about how she first
got into music, the artists who
6
00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:22,400
have influenced her sound, her
creative process, and the advice
7
00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:24,560
she would give to someone just
starting out.
8
00:00:25,240 --> 00:00:28,040
Lexi also has a new Christmas
album out now.
9
00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,640
You can check it out, buy it or
download it using the link in
10
00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,800
the podcast description.
I am glad you are here.
11
00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,240
Let's get into it.
Well Lexi, welcome to the show.
12
00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:41,480
I'm super excited to hear this.
Will be fun to chat with you.
13
00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,360
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
14
00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,840
Yeah, this will be great.
So we'll talk a little bit about
15
00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,200
your new Christmas album here in
a little bit.
16
00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:54,200
But first, tell me about how did
you get into music in the first
17
00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,640
place?
What inspired you to kind of dip
18
00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,080
your toes in this industry?
It's it's probably a ruthless at
19
00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,600
times industry, but you're here,
you're in it.
20
00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:05,239
What inspired you to get
involved?
21
00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,840
It was a bit of an accident, to
be honest.
22
00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:13,280
I was always musically inclined
and I was dancing and studying
23
00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,440
theatre and in my second year of
theatre school they basically
24
00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:21,160
ran an audition for a girl band
and I did it and I got it.
25
00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:25,280
And so it was just like this
surreal experience.
26
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:29,800
I was at foreign arts college.
I was like gooey eyed and 17
27
00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:35,480
years old and they moved me to
London and I was thrust into the
28
00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:41,760
pop world completely clueless.
But what an amazing experience.
29
00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,160
I mean, for like the first six
months when I was first signed
30
00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:49,160
with Warner, I had an absolute
insomnia because I was just
31
00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:52,000
like, what is life?
I was like, pinch me, I was
32
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,840
ringing my mum.
I was like, mum, they're paying
33
00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,200
me.
But at the minute they just told
34
00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,640
us to explore London and just
hang out.
35
00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:01,840
And I'm like, when are they
going to make us work?
36
00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,960
Like this is this?
And it was just this most
37
00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:09,960
strange experience.
And then so after that I had two
38
00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,960
years in a fab band.
It was like a girl girly Electro
39
00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,080
pop.
And if I'm honest with myself,
40
00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,800
looking back, was it really me?
Probably not.
41
00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:24,000
Was it an incredible experience,
good and bad?
42
00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,280
You know, I learned so much,
yes.
43
00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:30,360
And then I really went kind of
down the independent route,
44
00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:37,280
which is a long and winding Rd.
But you learn and you get this
45
00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,320
experience that helps you carry
yourself into situations when
46
00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:45,000
you do come and go across big
corporations again, realizing
47
00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:51,200
that record labels and managers,
we have this idea that they can
48
00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:55,360
change our life with one thing.
And actually you get signed and
49
00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:58,720
you think this is the same as
what I was doing myself.
50
00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:01,360
So it's a lot.
Of course they have major
51
00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,320
connections, they do.
And if you get a really great
52
00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,000
manager and label that's really
excited about your project, then
53
00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:09,800
of course they can elevate you a
lot.
54
00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,320
But there's a lot to be said
about learning to do as much as
55
00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,720
you can on your own and being as
self-sufficient as you can,
56
00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,440
because waiting for people is a
pain in the ass.
57
00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:21,480
Yeah.
So tell tell me about that
58
00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:24,120
decision.
Take me back to that day where,
59
00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,080
you know, you're signed to
Warner, you're in this band,
60
00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:32,720
it's, you know, probably touring
all around, and then you decide
61
00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,360
to go independent.
What was the kind of
62
00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,480
differentiating factor that made
you want to go independent as
63
00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,720
opposed to keeping with a huge,
ginormous record label?
64
00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:45,200
And at that time, it wasn't
really a choice.
65
00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,600
I think the band ran its course.
It was like, it was a strange
66
00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,000
time where we were actually
doing really well.
67
00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,280
We were touring, we supported
The Saturdays.
68
00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,840
I don't know if you guys would
remember them, but we were doing
69
00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:00,520
some awesome, awesome things.
But it was the same time that
70
00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,320
Little Mix won The X Factor.
And there was a band called
71
00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:09,000
Stushie that did this.
It had a rude name, but it went
72
00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,600
viral because it was so
shocking.
73
00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:17,040
And it was like, you know, you
can't compete with back then
74
00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,240
this, this is like, I'm going to
make yourself sound old.
75
00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:23,280
It was like 10 years ago.
But you back then you couldn't
76
00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:26,360
compete with the numbers you
could get by going on The X
77
00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,800
Factor, if that makes sense.
Little Mix came through X Factor
78
00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:32,560
and they were doing a similar
vibe to what we've been doing
79
00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,800
for the past two years.
It just ran its course.
80
00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:43,160
And I am so grateful.
We had a great experience, but I
81
00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:48,760
think that I wasn't myself in
that environment, to be honest.
82
00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:53,280
And the last 10 years has been
me really learning about who I
83
00:04:53,280 --> 00:04:55,680
am and my sound.
And I know that sounds so
84
00:04:55,680 --> 00:05:00,360
cheesy, but I've come full
circle.
85
00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:04,840
I've always loved soul.
I've loved country.
86
00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:09,240
I love storytelling.
You know, so many times in this
87
00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,040
industry, people be like, yeah,
no, that's not going to work.
88
00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,840
That's not going to work.
And it's like, do you know what?
89
00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,680
Anything can freaking work if
you want, if that's what you
90
00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:20,320
enjoy and that's what you want
to do.
91
00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,480
So many people are, yeah, just
do dance.
92
00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:26,400
Yeah, of course I can sing on a
dance record, but I don't love
93
00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,200
that music.
I don't get excited to make it.
94
00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:36,080
I get excited to tell stories
about my real heart breaks and
95
00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,040
trials and tribulations and
happy moments.
96
00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:42,440
Like that's where I get my joy.
And that's what makes me keep
97
00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:47,360
doing it is when I turn a moment
in my life, if especially if
98
00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:49,440
it's painful, into a piece of
art.
99
00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,680
That's where I get my buzz.
You know, I have friends where
100
00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,280
they love to sing.
Their buzz is literally from
101
00:05:56,280 --> 00:06:00,760
singing live and riffing and
high notes and killing it that
102
00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,840
way.
For me, it's like I've just bled
103
00:06:05,840 --> 00:06:08,200
onto the page, into the song, my
story.
104
00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,600
That's that's what I love about
doing it.
105
00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,880
So what keeps you going?
Because my guess is you put a
106
00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,320
lot of time, effort, work,
blood, sweat and tears into
107
00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:19,720
this.
I'm Mooney.
108
00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,160
Most people, yeah, most people
give up.
109
00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:26,080
Most people try once or twice,
and if they don't become quote
110
00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,280
UN quote successful, then they
just kind of go do something
111
00:06:29,280 --> 00:06:31,480
else.
What's kept you in it?
112
00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,480
And with the amount of drive
that you have every day to wake
113
00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,240
up and go after this dream of
yours.
114
00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:41,280
I think there definitely are a
few factors like the obviously
115
00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,240
the same old badger that
everyone says you've really got
116
00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,880
to love it, stick it out.
Yeah, you have got to love it.
117
00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:50,880
But the reality is, and ask the
most artists, do we love it
118
00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,720
every single day?
No, it's emotional journeys, you
119
00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:57,480
know, I mean, there's some days
you love, some days you can't
120
00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,240
think of anything.
Some days you're blocked, some
121
00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:07,000
days you're lazy.
So like, but in the end I just
122
00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:11,280
well, some days I think, what
else would I do?
123
00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,600
What else would I do?
What would it be like a wedding
124
00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:18,160
planner or something like?
But also to be honest, moving to
125
00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:23,960
Dubai was a game changer because
obviously I don't like to delve
126
00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,800
too much into financials.
But for example, when I was
127
00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,880
living in London, I was working
hella hard and I was scraping by
128
00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:36,080
and I would spare, spend every
spare penny on a song.
129
00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,240
And I was trying to get mates
rates so I could still pay for
130
00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,960
my car and the rent and it was
scraped, scraped, scrape, scrap,
131
00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,640
scrap, scrap.
In COVID, I accidentally got a
132
00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:49,600
gig on New Year's Eve in Dubai.
After it, I just stayed.
133
00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:54,240
There was nothing to go home for
at that time.
134
00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,640
The weather was and then, you
know, no one could work.
135
00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:00,760
We were all out of work, we're
all at home.
136
00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:02,920
And I was like, hold on, I might
as well just stay and enjoy the
137
00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:06,800
sunshine.
And basically in that time that
138
00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:10,720
I just stayed and enjoyed the
sunshine, I networked my ass
139
00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:14,080
off, I made friends.
And when Dubai opened back up
140
00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:18,560
again, lo and behold, I went
into pretty much full time work.
141
00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:25,040
And it has been life changing.
Like I've, I've been here now on
142
00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,480
New Year's Eve five years
exactly.
143
00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,080
And I've just bought my second
beach front apartment.
144
00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:33,480
Thank you.
No thank you.
145
00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:37,760
And I don't say that to Bragg.
I say it to to show that like
146
00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:42,600
the quality of living in the
opportunity here is vast.
147
00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:46,360
It is great.
And you know, opportunities
148
00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:50,360
that, for example, if you're in
America or in UK would go to a
149
00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,760
pop star, already established
pop star, shall we say, in
150
00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,920
Dubai.
Those opportunities go for
151
00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,920
emerging talent.
And you know, since being here,
152
00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:07,520
I've been able to sing for
Gucci, Sephora, Jack Daniels,
153
00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,600
Google Kill, Killian in Paris.
And it's like when I think about
154
00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,400
if I was in London, would that
be me?
155
00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:21,000
Or would that be, you know, the
big, big stars that are already
156
00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,720
kind of big names?
So that's the excitement here is
157
00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:28,440
waking up and thinking anything
could happen.
158
00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:32,760
But at the same time, obviously
I sometimes do feel a bit
159
00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:37,120
disconnected from the UK and
America because I know like
160
00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:41,800
obviously the music scenes there
are really consolidated and it's
161
00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,120
very new here.
So I do get over there, over to
162
00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:49,840
the States kind of two or three
times a year if I can, to just
163
00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,760
kind of enjoy Nashville, immerse
myself into the the scene and
164
00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,280
connect and, you know, all the
good stuff.
165
00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:02,720
So I tried to be in both to
really absorb and inspire myself
166
00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,720
with both.
And sorry, all that to say, you
167
00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,280
said what keeps me going.
Obviously, sorry, I told you I'd
168
00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:15,680
ramble on.
Obviously, the financial freedom
169
00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:21,040
that I have given myself since
being in Dubai has made my
170
00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:25,680
musical journey more enjoyable.
OK, so like, that's not to say
171
00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:28,040
I've got unlimited money to just
go, go, go.
172
00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:32,800
But if I want to finish a song
and I want to finish it quick, I
173
00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:36,200
can afford to pay my producer,
you know, if I want to.
174
00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,960
I decided to make the Christmas
album in three weeks.
175
00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,360
Obviously I was on a bit of a
budget because there was so many
176
00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,480
songs that, but I had my
connections here and I made it
177
00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:50,840
happen, you know, for a decent
amount and I was able to, you
178
00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,920
know, for example, the money
wasn't a block like, oh, I can't
179
00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:55,760
afford it.
I was just able to do what I
180
00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,360
wanted to do.
So people might say you don't
181
00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,240
need it, but I'm sorry, it
really helps.
182
00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,080
Walk me through a little bit
about that process as it relates
183
00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:10,760
to your songs.
That is my most inspired stage
184
00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,440
is when I've been through an
experience.
185
00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:17,960
Obviously I do write other times
in my life as well, but when I
186
00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:22,360
am heartbroken, it just floods.
It literally floods and it can
187
00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:27,080
be in any form.
Sometimes it's a title or you
188
00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,320
know, it's something I want to
say.
189
00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,240
Like I remember for example,
last time was in Nashville.
190
00:11:33,560 --> 00:11:36,880
I came and I was absolutely
heartbroken and I was catching
191
00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:39,200
up with my girlfriend, who I
write with quite a lot.
192
00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:43,880
And I told her this whole story
about this guy and she just
193
00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:46,760
went, Lex, it's his loss.
And I went.
194
00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,200
That's today's song.
And then?
195
00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,200
We just went upstairs, sat by
the pool with the guitars and we
196
00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:59,200
wrote his Loss and it was
literally the song became the
197
00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,920
conversation with my mate and I
think that is my style.
198
00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:08,160
I think my skill is saying
things in a way that so many
199
00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:11,520
women and guys, but like, you
know, so many of us experienced
200
00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,720
these things and these kind of
treatments and these moments in
201
00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,440
our life.
And, you know, I just say them
202
00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,600
really raw and real.
And people are like, yeah, that
203
00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,480
happened to me too.
And I love that.
204
00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,240
I love when when women reach out
and they're like, oh, my God,
205
00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:31,840
I've been through the same.
That's what I get so much joy
206
00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:33,440
from.
I mean, other times I
207
00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,960
collaborate all the times I'm on
my own.
208
00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,200
I don't have one given way that
I, I create a change it all the
209
00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,000
time.
As I say, when I'm in Nashville,
210
00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,720
I do a lot of collaboration.
When I'm in Dubai, it does tend
211
00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,720
to be kind of me coming up with
an idea.
212
00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:52,520
Often it'll be very rough and
then I'll take it into the
213
00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:56,800
studio with some of my trusted
guys back in the UK.
214
00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:02,520
So it changes every single time.
What kind of advice would you
215
00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:06,400
give to folks that are maybe
just starting off and a lot of
216
00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,240
folks that listen to this
podcast, we're kind of starting
217
00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,040
off into into their own
entrepreneurial world.
218
00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,600
Maybe it's, you know, becoming a
singer-songwriter or open an
219
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:17,520
e-commerce store.
A lot of them on the are on the
220
00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,200
front end of their journey.
So what kind of advice would you
221
00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,120
give to folks that are starting
out in the music industry and
222
00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:28,680
listening to this today?
Get ready to fight and to be
223
00:13:28,680 --> 00:13:34,200
tough and to be shoved down and
to be ignored and for you all
224
00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:38,360
your best friends to not share
your stuff or to not support
225
00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,160
until you're already famous.
It's it's the tailors oldest
226
00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,480
time.
It's going to be no, no, no, no,
227
00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,560
no, no, no.
And you just got to be, as I
228
00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:52,760
say, relentless until you get
that yes, and all the time.
229
00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:56,880
In the meantime, you keep making
yourself better.
230
00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,880
And this is what I say to my
girlfriends even when I'm in
231
00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:05,840
breakups or, you know, not to go
too deep into like, mental
232
00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:07,320
health.
But I think we all have our
233
00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:11,160
times where we're down and we
feel deflated, and then other
234
00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,680
times we're inspired and
motivated.
235
00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:19,800
My biggest advice is regardless
of where you're at mentally, do
236
00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,840
the good stuff.
Do the good stuff.
237
00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:27,000
And so if I'm heartbroken, I
still work out even though I
238
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,760
feel dead inside sometimes.
I remember the last breakup.
239
00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:34,520
I felt empty inside.
But I thought, you know what?
240
00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,360
When I come out of this in two
months time, I'm going to be
241
00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:40,000
better.
I'm going to be fitter, I'm
242
00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,480
going to be wiser.
I'm going to have written more
243
00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:44,040
songs.
I'm going to have done all that
244
00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:45,520
good stuff.
And lo and behold, when you
245
00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:51,000
finally come out, you thank your
past self for doing them
246
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,160
positive things.
And that's kind of where I'm at
247
00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:58,000
the minute is my discipline has
got to a level now and I'm
248
00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,320
really pleased with myself.
And especially during making the
249
00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:04,320
Christmas album, my level of
productivity and discipline has
250
00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:06,680
levelled up in the last couple
of months.
251
00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,280
And I'm so happy because I've
kind of weeded out that
252
00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:12,880
procrastination time and I'm
just getting on with it.
253
00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:19,240
And actually when you get into
that state, like is a vibe
254
00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:22,360
survive, is a vibration going on
there and you get rolling in
255
00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:24,800
that state and good things start
to come.
256
00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,400
So I can't.
I don't know how to explain it
257
00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:29,480
but.
That's awesome.
258
00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,800
So you just released a Christmas
album.
259
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,480
Talk to me a little bit about
this album for folks listening
260
00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:36,000
in.
I think you can get in on
261
00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,640
Spotify and probably everywhere
you can find music.
262
00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,600
But talk to me a little bit
about this album and and why you
263
00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:44,640
you know it was time for a
Christmas album.
264
00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:51,080
Well, true, classic, partly
psychotic legacy.
265
00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:57,280
So it was like the 5th of
November and one of my friends
266
00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:01,000
kind of introduced me to the AI
world and I was like, you know,
267
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,040
maybe I should start to play and
try to get into the future
268
00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:06,440
because I'm really not a
computer girl.
269
00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,120
I'm very much a go out there,
live life, write about my
270
00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:13,280
stories and my experiences.
I'm not one to sit down and
271
00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:16,440
figure things out on the laptop,
but it kind of showed me a bit
272
00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:20,920
and I thought, let me mess
around and make a few versions
273
00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,920
of stuff.
So I actually got booked for a
274
00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,880
fabulous gig in South Africa
where they wanted me to do
275
00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:29,760
country songs.
And one of the one of one of the
276
00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,440
songs they wanted was country
Roads.
277
00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,400
But I kind of got this John
Denver backing track and I was
278
00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:39,320
like, this is not punching for
me and it's not in my key.
279
00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,680
And even when I change the key,
it's not sounding right.
280
00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,000
So I thought, right, let me play
around anyway.
281
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:49,760
My gosh, I put it into this app
Suno, and I swear I made like
282
00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:52,600
the Super Bowl version of
country roads.
283
00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,520
Nice.
I was like, this is cool.
284
00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:00,080
And so I actually got excited
and passionate to kind of
285
00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,720
immerse myself into using it
more and just like really
286
00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,160
pushing the boundaries of what I
could do without relying on
287
00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:08,800
someone else, if that makes
sense.
288
00:17:09,079 --> 00:17:13,440
So early November I did a
version of River by Joni
289
00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:16,839
Mitchell, which is just a lovely
song that not many people
290
00:17:16,839 --> 00:17:20,960
actually know but I love, and I
created this fab version and I
291
00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:23,040
don't know what came over me.
I just thought, oh, maybe I
292
00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:26,160
should just do a whole album in
three weeks and document the
293
00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,359
whole thing.
And that's what I did.
294
00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:34,040
I just went full turbo, made a
full album in three weeks, all
295
00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:37,040
on AI, Not the voices.
All the voices is real
296
00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:41,720
recordings, real artists, but
all the production is AI
297
00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:45,440
created.
And then I just collaborated
298
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,680
with loads of local artists,
some international overseas.
299
00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,520
We've got Red on there.
She's a bit of an international
300
00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,520
superstar now.
She's been on tour with Andrea
301
00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,640
Bocelli.
She's getting quite well known
302
00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,360
around the world.
She's quite big on TikTok.
303
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:04,080
Got some celebs in the UK, some
local talent in Dubai and you
304
00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:05,880
know what?
It was just the most joyous
305
00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:09,120
experience.
I was locked in this room for
306
00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:12,200
three weeks straight and I just
had the best time in my life.
307
00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:16,080
People popping in, Got an
Italian singer on, she came
308
00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,960
round with cookies.
It's my girl from Vegas, she
309
00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:24,200
came round, she's on a site.
It was just, it was random.
310
00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,840
I don't know what made me do it,
but I just did it.
311
00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:30,880
But now I'm so proud of the
creation.
312
00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,560
Like I look, I'm maybe this is
like, I'm not meant to say this,
313
00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,080
but I've been listening to it
myself.
314
00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:41,680
I really like it because I just
picked all my favorite songs and
315
00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:47,960
made like cool, like pop,
soulful country versions of
316
00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:49,760
them.
Some of them are more country,
317
00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:53,080
some of them are soulful, like
it's really eclectic.
318
00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:55,840
So yeah, I don't know what made
me do.
319
00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:57,960
I just did it's.
Awesome.
320
00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:01,400
So and it's out.
Let's pretend it's 10 years from
321
00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:02,800
now.
What's your ultimate goal?
322
00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:06,400
What's your, you know, what
could you, what is it in your
323
00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:09,080
mind where you could look back
and say, OK, I made it.
324
00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,000
Is there something out there
that you know, 10 years from now
325
00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,000
you want to be at this peak or
that chart or whatever?
326
00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:18,080
Yeah, well, domination.
No, I'm joking.
327
00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:22,360
I'm joking.
Do you know what I just want?
328
00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:28,040
I just want my music to be
appreciated and celebrated
329
00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:30,640
worldwide.
Now I want to be performing it
330
00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:34,640
worldwide.
Like a lot of singers, I have to
331
00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:39,200
do all kinds of gigs to make my
bread and butter money and keep
332
00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,560
the dream alive.
And I pump the money I earn from
333
00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:46,080
that into the dream.
But you know what?
334
00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:50,200
Everyone that sees me sing my
original music, she's like found
335
00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,040
so much better when you do your
original music.
336
00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,840
I just love singing my songs.
I just want to sing my just want
337
00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:01,080
to sing my songs every day.
I don't want people to listen
338
00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,000
and care.
Yeah, I just yeah, I'd love.
339
00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:07,760
I'd love, love, love to be
touring around do my originals.
340
00:20:08,120 --> 00:20:11,600
I want my originals in those
romantic comedies.
341
00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:15,760
I love good cheesy chick flick.
So yeah, I'm just waiting for
342
00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,240
Colin Farrell to call and say
he's going to put my song over
343
00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:23,560
his next mid movie or.
Hey, you never know right?
344
00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:27,080
Well, it's been fun chat with
you. 20 minutes here has gone by
345
00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:29,080
in a flash.
Lexie, do you have any last
346
00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:30,480
minute thoughts here before we
head off?
347
00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,320
Yeah, just with apology because
I talk so much.
348
00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,480
No, I guess there'll be new
music coming soon as well.
349
00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,840
I mean, I've just obviously I've
put out the Christmas album, so
350
00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,680
you'll better be rocking around
the Christmas tree to that this
351
00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:47,160
Christmas and but I'm going to
be coming with new stuff in
352
00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:51,760
January and onwards.
Awesome.
353
00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:55,400
Well, we'll put the for folks
listening in the a link to the
354
00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,040
music is in the podcast
description.
355
00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:00,200
Go check it out.
Go go buy or download all of our
356
00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,840
music.
Lexi, welcome back anytime.
357
00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:04,600
Thanks so much for coming on the
show.
358
00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:06,160
We hope you have a great rest of
your day.
359
00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:07,240
Thank you.
00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,480
Welcome to Stories worth
hearing, I'm your host, John
2
00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:06,040
Quick.
On today's episode, I am joined
3
00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:10,640
by Lexi, a singer-songwriter
whose music blends pop, country
4
00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:14,400
and acoustic influences with a
strong focus on storytelling.
5
00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,520
We talked about how she first
got into music, the artists who
6
00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:22,400
have influenced her sound, her
creative process, and the advice
7
00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:24,560
she would give to someone just
starting out.
8
00:00:25,240 --> 00:00:28,040
Lexi also has a new Christmas
album out now.
9
00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,640
You can check it out, buy it or
download it using the link in
10
00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,800
the podcast description.
I am glad you are here.
11
00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,240
Let's get into it.
Well Lexi, welcome to the show.
12
00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:41,480
I'm super excited to hear this.
Will be fun to chat with you.
13
00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,360
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
14
00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,840
Yeah, this will be great.
So we'll talk a little bit about
15
00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,200
your new Christmas album here in
a little bit.
16
00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:54,200
But first, tell me about how did
you get into music in the first
17
00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,640
place?
What inspired you to kind of dip
18
00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,080
your toes in this industry?
It's it's probably a ruthless at
19
00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,600
times industry, but you're here,
you're in it.
20
00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:05,239
What inspired you to get
involved?
21
00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,840
It was a bit of an accident, to
be honest.
22
00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:13,280
I was always musically inclined
and I was dancing and studying
23
00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,440
theatre and in my second year of
theatre school they basically
24
00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:21,160
ran an audition for a girl band
and I did it and I got it.
25
00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:25,280
And so it was just like this
surreal experience.
26
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:29,800
I was at foreign arts college.
I was like gooey eyed and 17
27
00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:35,480
years old and they moved me to
London and I was thrust into the
28
00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:41,760
pop world completely clueless.
But what an amazing experience.
29
00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,160
I mean, for like the first six
months when I was first signed
30
00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:49,160
with Warner, I had an absolute
insomnia because I was just
31
00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:52,000
like, what is life?
I was like, pinch me, I was
32
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,840
ringing my mum.
I was like, mum, they're paying
33
00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,200
me.
But at the minute they just told
34
00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,640
us to explore London and just
hang out.
35
00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:01,840
And I'm like, when are they
going to make us work?
36
00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,960
Like this is this?
And it was just this most
37
00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:09,960
strange experience.
And then so after that I had two
38
00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,960
years in a fab band.
It was like a girl girly Electro
39
00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,080
pop.
And if I'm honest with myself,
40
00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,800
looking back, was it really me?
Probably not.
41
00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:24,000
Was it an incredible experience,
good and bad?
42
00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,280
You know, I learned so much,
yes.
43
00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:30,360
And then I really went kind of
down the independent route,
44
00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:37,280
which is a long and winding Rd.
But you learn and you get this
45
00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,320
experience that helps you carry
yourself into situations when
46
00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:45,000
you do come and go across big
corporations again, realizing
47
00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:51,200
that record labels and managers,
we have this idea that they can
48
00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:55,360
change our life with one thing.
And actually you get signed and
49
00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:58,720
you think this is the same as
what I was doing myself.
50
00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:01,360
So it's a lot.
Of course they have major
51
00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,320
connections, they do.
And if you get a really great
52
00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,000
manager and label that's really
excited about your project, then
53
00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:09,800
of course they can elevate you a
lot.
54
00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,320
But there's a lot to be said
about learning to do as much as
55
00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,720
you can on your own and being as
self-sufficient as you can,
56
00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,440
because waiting for people is a
pain in the ass.
57
00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:21,480
Yeah.
So tell tell me about that
58
00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:24,120
decision.
Take me back to that day where,
59
00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,080
you know, you're signed to
Warner, you're in this band,
60
00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:32,720
it's, you know, probably touring
all around, and then you decide
61
00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,360
to go independent.
What was the kind of
62
00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,480
differentiating factor that made
you want to go independent as
63
00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,720
opposed to keeping with a huge,
ginormous record label?
64
00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:45,200
And at that time, it wasn't
really a choice.
65
00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,600
I think the band ran its course.
It was like, it was a strange
66
00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,000
time where we were actually
doing really well.
67
00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,280
We were touring, we supported
The Saturdays.
68
00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,840
I don't know if you guys would
remember them, but we were doing
69
00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:00,520
some awesome, awesome things.
But it was the same time that
70
00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,320
Little Mix won The X Factor.
And there was a band called
71
00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:09,000
Stushie that did this.
It had a rude name, but it went
72
00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,600
viral because it was so
shocking.
73
00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:17,040
And it was like, you know, you
can't compete with back then
74
00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,240
this, this is like, I'm going to
make yourself sound old.
75
00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:23,280
It was like 10 years ago.
But you back then you couldn't
76
00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:26,360
compete with the numbers you
could get by going on The X
77
00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,800
Factor, if that makes sense.
Little Mix came through X Factor
78
00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:32,560
and they were doing a similar
vibe to what we've been doing
79
00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,800
for the past two years.
It just ran its course.
80
00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:43,160
And I am so grateful.
We had a great experience, but I
81
00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:48,760
think that I wasn't myself in
that environment, to be honest.
82
00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:53,280
And the last 10 years has been
me really learning about who I
83
00:04:53,280 --> 00:04:55,680
am and my sound.
And I know that sounds so
84
00:04:55,680 --> 00:05:00,360
cheesy, but I've come full
circle.
85
00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:04,840
I've always loved soul.
I've loved country.
86
00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:09,240
I love storytelling.
You know, so many times in this
87
00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,040
industry, people be like, yeah,
no, that's not going to work.
88
00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,840
That's not going to work.
And it's like, do you know what?
89
00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,680
Anything can freaking work if
you want, if that's what you
90
00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:20,320
enjoy and that's what you want
to do.
91
00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,480
So many people are, yeah, just
do dance.
92
00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:26,400
Yeah, of course I can sing on a
dance record, but I don't love
93
00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,200
that music.
I don't get excited to make it.
94
00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:36,080
I get excited to tell stories
about my real heart breaks and
95
00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,040
trials and tribulations and
happy moments.
96
00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:42,440
Like that's where I get my joy.
And that's what makes me keep
97
00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:47,360
doing it is when I turn a moment
in my life, if especially if
98
00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:49,440
it's painful, into a piece of
art.
99
00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,680
That's where I get my buzz.
You know, I have friends where
100
00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,280
they love to sing.
Their buzz is literally from
101
00:05:56,280 --> 00:06:00,760
singing live and riffing and
high notes and killing it that
102
00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,840
way.
For me, it's like I've just bled
103
00:06:05,840 --> 00:06:08,200
onto the page, into the song, my
story.
104
00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,600
That's that's what I love about
doing it.
105
00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,880
So what keeps you going?
Because my guess is you put a
106
00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,320
lot of time, effort, work,
blood, sweat and tears into
107
00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:19,720
this.
I'm Mooney.
108
00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,160
Most people, yeah, most people
give up.
109
00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:26,080
Most people try once or twice,
and if they don't become quote
110
00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,280
UN quote successful, then they
just kind of go do something
111
00:06:29,280 --> 00:06:31,480
else.
What's kept you in it?
112
00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,480
And with the amount of drive
that you have every day to wake
113
00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,240
up and go after this dream of
yours.
114
00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:41,280
I think there definitely are a
few factors like the obviously
115
00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,240
the same old badger that
everyone says you've really got
116
00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,880
to love it, stick it out.
Yeah, you have got to love it.
117
00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:50,880
But the reality is, and ask the
most artists, do we love it
118
00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,720
every single day?
No, it's emotional journeys, you
119
00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:57,480
know, I mean, there's some days
you love, some days you can't
120
00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,240
think of anything.
Some days you're blocked, some
121
00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:07,000
days you're lazy.
So like, but in the end I just
122
00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:11,280
well, some days I think, what
else would I do?
123
00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,600
What else would I do?
What would it be like a wedding
124
00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:18,160
planner or something like?
But also to be honest, moving to
125
00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:23,960
Dubai was a game changer because
obviously I don't like to delve
126
00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,800
too much into financials.
But for example, when I was
127
00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,880
living in London, I was working
hella hard and I was scraping by
128
00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:36,080
and I would spare, spend every
spare penny on a song.
129
00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,240
And I was trying to get mates
rates so I could still pay for
130
00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,960
my car and the rent and it was
scraped, scraped, scrape, scrap,
131
00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,640
scrap, scrap.
In COVID, I accidentally got a
132
00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:49,600
gig on New Year's Eve in Dubai.
After it, I just stayed.
133
00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:54,240
There was nothing to go home for
at that time.
134
00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,640
The weather was and then, you
know, no one could work.
135
00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:00,760
We were all out of work, we're
all at home.
136
00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:02,920
And I was like, hold on, I might
as well just stay and enjoy the
137
00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:06,800
sunshine.
And basically in that time that
138
00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:10,720
I just stayed and enjoyed the
sunshine, I networked my ass
139
00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:14,080
off, I made friends.
And when Dubai opened back up
140
00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:18,560
again, lo and behold, I went
into pretty much full time work.
141
00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:25,040
And it has been life changing.
Like I've, I've been here now on
142
00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,480
New Year's Eve five years
exactly.
143
00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,080
And I've just bought my second
beach front apartment.
144
00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:33,480
Thank you.
No thank you.
145
00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:37,760
And I don't say that to Bragg.
I say it to to show that like
146
00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:42,600
the quality of living in the
opportunity here is vast.
147
00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:46,360
It is great.
And you know, opportunities
148
00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:50,360
that, for example, if you're in
America or in UK would go to a
149
00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,760
pop star, already established
pop star, shall we say, in
150
00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,920
Dubai.
Those opportunities go for
151
00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,920
emerging talent.
And you know, since being here,
152
00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:07,520
I've been able to sing for
Gucci, Sephora, Jack Daniels,
153
00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,600
Google Kill, Killian in Paris.
And it's like when I think about
154
00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,400
if I was in London, would that
be me?
155
00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:21,000
Or would that be, you know, the
big, big stars that are already
156
00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,720
kind of big names?
So that's the excitement here is
157
00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:28,440
waking up and thinking anything
could happen.
158
00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:32,760
But at the same time, obviously
I sometimes do feel a bit
159
00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:37,120
disconnected from the UK and
America because I know like
160
00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:41,800
obviously the music scenes there
are really consolidated and it's
161
00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,120
very new here.
So I do get over there, over to
162
00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:49,840
the States kind of two or three
times a year if I can, to just
163
00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,760
kind of enjoy Nashville, immerse
myself into the the scene and
164
00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,280
connect and, you know, all the
good stuff.
165
00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:02,720
So I tried to be in both to
really absorb and inspire myself
166
00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,720
with both.
And sorry, all that to say, you
167
00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,280
said what keeps me going.
Obviously, sorry, I told you I'd
168
00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:15,680
ramble on.
Obviously, the financial freedom
169
00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:21,040
that I have given myself since
being in Dubai has made my
170
00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:25,680
musical journey more enjoyable.
OK, so like, that's not to say
171
00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:28,040
I've got unlimited money to just
go, go, go.
172
00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:32,800
But if I want to finish a song
and I want to finish it quick, I
173
00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:36,200
can afford to pay my producer,
you know, if I want to.
174
00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,960
I decided to make the Christmas
album in three weeks.
175
00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,360
Obviously I was on a bit of a
budget because there was so many
176
00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,480
songs that, but I had my
connections here and I made it
177
00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:50,840
happen, you know, for a decent
amount and I was able to, you
178
00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,920
know, for example, the money
wasn't a block like, oh, I can't
179
00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:55,760
afford it.
I was just able to do what I
180
00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,360
wanted to do.
So people might say you don't
181
00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,240
need it, but I'm sorry, it
really helps.
182
00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,080
Walk me through a little bit
about that process as it relates
183
00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:10,760
to your songs.
That is my most inspired stage
184
00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,440
is when I've been through an
experience.
185
00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:17,960
Obviously I do write other times
in my life as well, but when I
186
00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:22,360
am heartbroken, it just floods.
It literally floods and it can
187
00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:27,080
be in any form.
Sometimes it's a title or you
188
00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,320
know, it's something I want to
say.
189
00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,240
Like I remember for example,
last time was in Nashville.
190
00:11:33,560 --> 00:11:36,880
I came and I was absolutely
heartbroken and I was catching
191
00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:39,200
up with my girlfriend, who I
write with quite a lot.
192
00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:43,880
And I told her this whole story
about this guy and she just
193
00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:46,760
went, Lex, it's his loss.
And I went.
194
00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,200
That's today's song.
And then?
195
00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,200
We just went upstairs, sat by
the pool with the guitars and we
196
00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:59,200
wrote his Loss and it was
literally the song became the
197
00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,920
conversation with my mate and I
think that is my style.
198
00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:08,160
I think my skill is saying
things in a way that so many
199
00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:11,520
women and guys, but like, you
know, so many of us experienced
200
00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,720
these things and these kind of
treatments and these moments in
201
00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,440
our life.
And, you know, I just say them
202
00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,600
really raw and real.
And people are like, yeah, that
203
00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,480
happened to me too.
And I love that.
204
00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,240
I love when when women reach out
and they're like, oh, my God,
205
00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:31,840
I've been through the same.
That's what I get so much joy
206
00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:33,440
from.
I mean, other times I
207
00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,960
collaborate all the times I'm on
my own.
208
00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,200
I don't have one given way that
I, I create a change it all the
209
00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,000
time.
As I say, when I'm in Nashville,
210
00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,720
I do a lot of collaboration.
When I'm in Dubai, it does tend
211
00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,720
to be kind of me coming up with
an idea.
212
00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:52,520
Often it'll be very rough and
then I'll take it into the
213
00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:56,800
studio with some of my trusted
guys back in the UK.
214
00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:02,520
So it changes every single time.
What kind of advice would you
215
00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:06,400
give to folks that are maybe
just starting off and a lot of
216
00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,240
folks that listen to this
podcast, we're kind of starting
217
00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,040
off into into their own
entrepreneurial world.
218
00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,600
Maybe it's, you know, becoming a
singer-songwriter or open an
219
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:17,520
e-commerce store.
A lot of them on the are on the
220
00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,200
front end of their journey.
So what kind of advice would you
221
00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,120
give to folks that are starting
out in the music industry and
222
00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:28,680
listening to this today?
Get ready to fight and to be
223
00:13:28,680 --> 00:13:34,200
tough and to be shoved down and
to be ignored and for you all
224
00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:38,360
your best friends to not share
your stuff or to not support
225
00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,160
until you're already famous.
It's it's the tailors oldest
226
00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,480
time.
It's going to be no, no, no, no,
227
00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,560
no, no, no.
And you just got to be, as I
228
00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:52,760
say, relentless until you get
that yes, and all the time.
229
00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:56,880
In the meantime, you keep making
yourself better.
230
00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,880
And this is what I say to my
girlfriends even when I'm in
231
00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:05,840
breakups or, you know, not to go
too deep into like, mental
232
00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:07,320
health.
But I think we all have our
233
00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:11,160
times where we're down and we
feel deflated, and then other
234
00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,680
times we're inspired and
motivated.
235
00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:19,800
My biggest advice is regardless
of where you're at mentally, do
236
00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,840
the good stuff.
Do the good stuff.
237
00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:27,000
And so if I'm heartbroken, I
still work out even though I
238
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,760
feel dead inside sometimes.
I remember the last breakup.
239
00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:34,520
I felt empty inside.
But I thought, you know what?
240
00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,360
When I come out of this in two
months time, I'm going to be
241
00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:40,000
better.
I'm going to be fitter, I'm
242
00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,480
going to be wiser.
I'm going to have written more
243
00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:44,040
songs.
I'm going to have done all that
244
00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:45,520
good stuff.
And lo and behold, when you
245
00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:51,000
finally come out, you thank your
past self for doing them
246
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,160
positive things.
And that's kind of where I'm at
247
00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:58,000
the minute is my discipline has
got to a level now and I'm
248
00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,320
really pleased with myself.
And especially during making the
249
00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:04,320
Christmas album, my level of
productivity and discipline has
250
00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:06,680
levelled up in the last couple
of months.
251
00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,280
And I'm so happy because I've
kind of weeded out that
252
00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:12,880
procrastination time and I'm
just getting on with it.
253
00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:19,240
And actually when you get into
that state, like is a vibe
254
00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:22,360
survive, is a vibration going on
there and you get rolling in
255
00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:24,800
that state and good things start
to come.
256
00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,400
So I can't.
I don't know how to explain it
257
00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:29,480
but.
That's awesome.
258
00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,800
So you just released a Christmas
album.
259
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,480
Talk to me a little bit about
this album for folks listening
260
00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:36,000
in.
I think you can get in on
261
00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,640
Spotify and probably everywhere
you can find music.
262
00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,600
But talk to me a little bit
about this album and and why you
263
00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:44,640
you know it was time for a
Christmas album.
264
00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:51,080
Well, true, classic, partly
psychotic legacy.
265
00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:57,280
So it was like the 5th of
November and one of my friends
266
00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:01,000
kind of introduced me to the AI
world and I was like, you know,
267
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,040
maybe I should start to play and
try to get into the future
268
00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:06,440
because I'm really not a
computer girl.
269
00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,120
I'm very much a go out there,
live life, write about my
270
00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:13,280
stories and my experiences.
I'm not one to sit down and
271
00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:16,440
figure things out on the laptop,
but it kind of showed me a bit
272
00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:20,920
and I thought, let me mess
around and make a few versions
273
00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,920
of stuff.
So I actually got booked for a
274
00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,880
fabulous gig in South Africa
where they wanted me to do
275
00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:29,760
country songs.
And one of the one of one of the
276
00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,440
songs they wanted was country
Roads.
277
00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,400
But I kind of got this John
Denver backing track and I was
278
00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:39,320
like, this is not punching for
me and it's not in my key.
279
00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,680
And even when I change the key,
it's not sounding right.
280
00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,000
So I thought, right, let me play
around anyway.
281
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:49,760
My gosh, I put it into this app
Suno, and I swear I made like
282
00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:52,600
the Super Bowl version of
country roads.
283
00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,520
Nice.
I was like, this is cool.
284
00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:00,080
And so I actually got excited
and passionate to kind of
285
00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,720
immerse myself into using it
more and just like really
286
00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,160
pushing the boundaries of what I
could do without relying on
287
00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:08,800
someone else, if that makes
sense.
288
00:17:09,079 --> 00:17:13,440
So early November I did a
version of River by Joni
289
00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:16,839
Mitchell, which is just a lovely
song that not many people
290
00:17:16,839 --> 00:17:20,960
actually know but I love, and I
created this fab version and I
291
00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:23,040
don't know what came over me.
I just thought, oh, maybe I
292
00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:26,160
should just do a whole album in
three weeks and document the
293
00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,359
whole thing.
And that's what I did.
294
00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:34,040
I just went full turbo, made a
full album in three weeks, all
295
00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:37,040
on AI, Not the voices.
All the voices is real
296
00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:41,720
recordings, real artists, but
all the production is AI
297
00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:45,440
created.
And then I just collaborated
298
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,680
with loads of local artists,
some international overseas.
299
00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,520
We've got Red on there.
She's a bit of an international
300
00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,520
superstar now.
She's been on tour with Andrea
301
00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,640
Bocelli.
She's getting quite well known
302
00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,360
around the world.
She's quite big on TikTok.
303
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:04,080
Got some celebs in the UK, some
local talent in Dubai and you
304
00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:05,880
know what?
It was just the most joyous
305
00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:09,120
experience.
I was locked in this room for
306
00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:12,200
three weeks straight and I just
had the best time in my life.
307
00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:16,080
People popping in, Got an
Italian singer on, she came
308
00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,960
round with cookies.
It's my girl from Vegas, she
309
00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:24,200
came round, she's on a site.
It was just, it was random.
310
00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,840
I don't know what made me do it,
but I just did it.
311
00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:30,880
But now I'm so proud of the
creation.
312
00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,560
Like I look, I'm maybe this is
like, I'm not meant to say this,
313
00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,080
but I've been listening to it
myself.
314
00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:41,680
I really like it because I just
picked all my favorite songs and
315
00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:47,960
made like cool, like pop,
soulful country versions of
316
00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:49,760
them.
Some of them are more country,
317
00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:53,080
some of them are soulful, like
it's really eclectic.
318
00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:55,840
So yeah, I don't know what made
me do.
319
00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:57,960
I just did it's.
Awesome.
320
00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:01,400
So and it's out.
Let's pretend it's 10 years from
321
00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:02,800
now.
What's your ultimate goal?
322
00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:06,400
What's your, you know, what
could you, what is it in your
323
00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:09,080
mind where you could look back
and say, OK, I made it.
324
00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,000
Is there something out there
that you know, 10 years from now
325
00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,000
you want to be at this peak or
that chart or whatever?
326
00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:18,080
Yeah, well, domination.
No, I'm joking.
327
00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:22,360
I'm joking.
Do you know what I just want?
328
00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:28,040
I just want my music to be
appreciated and celebrated
329
00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:30,640
worldwide.
Now I want to be performing it
330
00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:34,640
worldwide.
Like a lot of singers, I have to
331
00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:39,200
do all kinds of gigs to make my
bread and butter money and keep
332
00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,560
the dream alive.
And I pump the money I earn from
333
00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:46,080
that into the dream.
But you know what?
334
00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:50,200
Everyone that sees me sing my
original music, she's like found
335
00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,040
so much better when you do your
original music.
336
00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,840
I just love singing my songs.
I just want to sing my just want
337
00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:01,080
to sing my songs every day.
I don't want people to listen
338
00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,000
and care.
Yeah, I just yeah, I'd love.
339
00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:07,760
I'd love, love, love to be
touring around do my originals.
340
00:20:08,120 --> 00:20:11,600
I want my originals in those
romantic comedies.
341
00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:15,760
I love good cheesy chick flick.
So yeah, I'm just waiting for
342
00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,240
Colin Farrell to call and say
he's going to put my song over
343
00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:23,560
his next mid movie or.
Hey, you never know right?
344
00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:27,080
Well, it's been fun chat with
you. 20 minutes here has gone by
345
00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:29,080
in a flash.
Lexie, do you have any last
346
00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:30,480
minute thoughts here before we
head off?
347
00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,320
Yeah, just with apology because
I talk so much.
348
00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,480
No, I guess there'll be new
music coming soon as well.
349
00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,840
I mean, I've just obviously I've
put out the Christmas album, so
350
00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,680
you'll better be rocking around
the Christmas tree to that this
351
00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:47,160
Christmas and but I'm going to
be coming with new stuff in
352
00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:51,760
January and onwards.
Awesome.
353
00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:55,400
Well, we'll put the for folks
listening in the a link to the
354
00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,040
music is in the podcast
description.
355
00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:00,200
Go check it out.
Go go buy or download all of our
356
00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,840
music.
Lexi, welcome back anytime.
357
00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:04,600
Thanks so much for coming on the
show.
358
00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:06,160
We hope you have a great rest of
your day.
359
00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:07,240
Thank you.