An Interview With The Canadian R&B Newcomer, ALEXIS LYNN!

Get to know the soulful Canadian R&B pop artist ALEXIS LYNN!

Earlier this spring, she released her new single called “Things Get Good.” The reggae-infused burner is available now on all digital platforms: hyperurl.co/wo8f5e.

 “We all know what it’s like when the people around you don’t clap when you win, or only show up when you’re on top…’Things Get Good’ is for those people,” Alexis shares about the song. “I used to get bullied to varying degrees throughout school and I started to notice as I became more confident in myself, made new friends, or gained new opportunities, the same people that picked on me were now the ones trying to play nice – because suddenly I had something they wanted. Right when things got good, they came crawling out of the woodwork! I wanted to release ‘Things Get Good’ because it’s still so relevant in my life right now and I know there are so many others who share similar experiences. I think it’s important to recognize that you’re good on your own and you don’t need people who don’t have pure intentions at heart!”

“Things Get Good” is the latest in a series of singles that will lead up to the release of Alexis’ debut EP. Earlier this year, she released the powerfully defiant anthem “Not This Time,” as well as a corresponding music video; watch the video on YouTube here.

The 20-year old Canadian singer-songwriter, recognized in the “Top 100” of CBC Music’s 2019 Searchlight competition, displays a maturity well beyond her years. Her songs tell her story of where it all began and where she is today: strong, confident, self-aware and ready to come into her own. Her music is deeply personal, exploring topics of love, lust, vulnerability, overcoming obstacles, self-awareness, and power with a polished, and inimitable sound.

Alexis’ love of music began as far back as she can remember. Some of her earliest and fondest memories date back to listening to music with her family, singing along to the car radio, and a father who loved to play guitar. So, it wasn’t much of a surprise to her parents when she decided she wanted to be a singer at the age of 9. As she got older, Alexis dove deep into the music of Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys, influences that can be heard in her modern pop/R&B sound.

Connect With Alexis Lynn Here:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify

Learn more about Alexis Lynn in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Of course! I’m currently at home, in my kitchen, just having breakfast!

Now that we are half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

2019 has been an amazing year for me so far. I turned 20 at the start of the year and since then I’ve done a lot of things I’ve wanted to do. I’ve released three singles, two music videos, made the top 100 in CBC Searchlight 2019, and I’ve got so much more planned. One of my goals is definitely to release my EP this year, which I’m SO excited for. It’s coming soon and I’m beyond excited for everyone to hear it. I like to keep a lot of my personal goals private, but overall, I want to keep working on becoming a better writer, writing more songs, and doing more shows!

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

I’ve always had a love for music growing up! I loved to sing along to the radio in the car, and my dad introduced me to guitar when I was about 10. We also have this old organ in our house that never got used, but I started playing it like a piano and watched YouTube videos to learn songs I liked! So, I think I’ve always wanted to pursue music, but I think I got serious about it when I was 16 and started writing. It was easy and difficult, the passion part was easy, but pursuing a career as an artist comes with a lot of unknowns and no guarantees, so I think that’s what made it kind of difficult at first.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

I used to play high level soccer and I think if I didn’t decide to pursue music, I probably would’ve pursued that! I most likely would be in university playing soccer right know but I don’t know what I’d be studying! I don’t think I would’ve been as happy, no, because I wasn’t nearly as passionate about it.

Let’s talk about your newest track, “Worst Behavior.” What was the inspiration for this song? What about your track “Things Get Good”? How did that song come together?

“Worst Behavior” is about trying to make your mind up about someone and needing space to process how you really feel, but at the end of the day forgetting about it and being drawn to them anyway because there’s just something about that person. I wrote “Things Get Good” for the people who used to bully me. I didn’t have the best time in elementary school and early high school, but I started to notice, as I became more confident, or gained more friends, or had success in music, the same people who used to make fun of me were suddenly trying to talk to me or be my friend. I learned a lot about fake people and ulterior motives and that’s what “Things Get Good” is about!

How does this compare to other songs that you have previously released?

I feel like they’re really honest. I mean, I try to be as honest as I can in all my songs, but I feel like these were songs I needed to write because they were such personal experiences, but ones that I think a lot of people also go through.

How excited are you to be releasing your debut EP this summer? How would you say that your already released songs prepared listeners for this EP? Did anything surprise you about putting together this collection of music?

I’m SO excited. Also, kind of nervous! It’s a vulnerable feeling to put a piece of yourself out into the world. I think my previous songs give a taste of my new sound and overall vibe. I was surprised with some of the songs I came out with, some of them were songs I didn’t know I needed to write! I also feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with the amazing writers and producers that I did on this project.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?

I mean, from being a 16-year-old who wrote sad songs by herself on her piano I feel a lot has changed! I think my writing has really improved as I’ve matured and written more, and I’ve also had the chance to write with some amazing writers which has also really pushed me. I also feel like I’ve figured out my style and sound. My vocal coach the other day — shout out Teresa Cirillo! — commented that she felt I’ve really “found my voice” and that I’m singing like me and owning it and not trying to sound like anyone else. That was really cool to me and such an amazing compliment because it does feel like I’m starting to come into my own and it’s an incredible feeling!

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career so far?

Social media has definitely changed the game in a lot of ways! I think it’s amazing because you can reach so many people and network literally globally so it’s an incredibly valuable tool, but I also think yes, it can be hard to keep up with! The internet is a crazy place, trends and algorithms are always changing and people’s attention spans get shorter and shorter, but I still really enjoy it not only from a marketing aspect but as a creative outlet as well! I think my favorite has to be Instagram! I think it has the widest draw for people around my age and I love visually driven content. Social media has allowed me to connect with people I never otherwise would have known. I’ve met so many fellow artists, musicians, producers, and fans through it, and I’m grateful it’s around!

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Some of my all time favorite artists include Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Michael Jackson. Some of my more recent favorites are Ariana Grande, Khalid, Lizzo, Kehlani, Victoria Monet and so many more — I listen to almost everything! I’d honestly love to work with all of them! But, definitely Rihanna, whenever she starts making music again!

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

Oh man! I have so many ideas. It’d be something wild for sure. Tons of dancers and people, colourful lighting, intricate outfits, some crazy location! My mind goes to something like the “Wild Thoughts” video or also Jlo’s recent “Medicine” video, she always kills it!

Where would you absolutely love to hear one of your songs? On a TV show, in a movie or elsewhere? Do you recall the first time you heard a song of yours out and about?

I would honestly love to hear one of my songs on a commercial, Nike or something! I remember a little while back, one of my friends randomly called me while she was driving saying she pulled up to a stop light with her windows down, and the car beside her (a random person she didn’t know) was playing “Things Get Good”! It was so cool to hear.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I want people to have something they can relate to when they feel like they’re the only one going through something, because that’s one of the main reasons I love certain songs. There’s certain connection or attachment to songs when you feel like the artist wrote exactly what’s in your head or the experience you’re going through.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

This upcoming collection of songs is really personal to me. I think they’ll let people get to know me a little better. They’re songs I feel I needed to write, and I hope people can enjoy the music and maybe relate to the songs too!