Interview by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy Alexia Rev
We got to chat with singer/songwriter Alexia Rev about her single “LA Lonely” and growing up around classical musicians.
When did making music go from a hobby of yours to something you wanted to pursue as a career?
I definitely think during the pandemic my mindset completely shifted. I was about to graduate college to pursue a master’s in psychology, but during quarantine, I began writing a lot more music. I always had written music, but the year prior I felt like I pushed it aside because I settled on going to graduate school. I had time away to write and I was in my happiest state. I began reaching out to producers more because I felt like I had grown tremendously as an artist and I really worked on my craft. I was asked to come to LA to record something, and the producer told me that I was too talented to not pursue music and LA would be the best place to do that. Hearing the validation that I maybe should have given myself felt euphoric. I always knew that music was there but that moment really was the start of my career. I also could not imagine myself doing anything else, and that’s when I knew.
Growing up around classically trained musicians did you naturally want to explore other genres of music?
I think classical music surrounded me in all aspects. I was training to be a ballerina until I was 17, so classical music constantly was running through my head. But I loved all kinds of music, and especially music that made me dance. I think that’s why I gravitated towards that rock-funk sound. Movement is a huge part of my songwriting, and it’s not about upbeat or sad but I love a song if it makes me move.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
I have so many because they all inspire me in different ways. I love music from the 70s and 80s, and my favorites are QUEEN, ABBA, and Billy Joel. Currently, I love Caroline Polachek, Doja Cat, and Rex Orange County.
Did you pull from personal experiences to write your single “LA Lonely?”
Yes, it was all personal. It is about my experience of moving to LA from NY last year. I had left my family and friends and moved. I felt this immense loss of my past self, I felt jealous of groups of friends in the streets, and the only thing that could express my loneliness was music. I was stricken with grief of “losing” my family and friends, I was struggling to find music sessions because I moved during the height of the pandemic, so it felt like: “Why did I move here?” But through pain, we grow and that is a huge message in the song. I learned how to take care of myself and I began creating a relationship with myself rather than relying on others to make me whole (which is still a struggle).
When it came to how “LA Lonely” would sound, did you have any specific influences?
YES! I think I wanted it to feel incredibly haunting. I remember listening to “Hide and Seek” by Imogene Heap, and I was transported to another world. I wanted the listener to have the same feeling.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
Never stop growing, and never go into a writing session with the thought: ‘I want to write a hit’ because that really creates a block within yourself which often leads to writer’s block. It is also very difficult to stay true to your art but I would say to get really good at your sound and make a decision whether you want to be a follower or trailblazer. There is nothing wrong with each, but I do think becoming a trailblazer takes much more patience and you will get a lot of no’s but stick to your vision (without ego).