The Metamorphosis of Alexis Strum
Here's my 4th story for The Bridge. I'm so grateful to Alexis Strum for her cooperation. Everyone go check out her Web site http://www.alexisstrum.com
The Metamorphosis of Alexis Strum
By Andres Santos
Bridge Student Staff Writer
Alexis Strum is an accomplished British singer/songwriter in the mold of Kate Bush. Her music is evocative of Tori Amos, Imogen Heap and Scissor Sisters. It’s both melodic and catchy without being saccharine. Her enticing and ethereal voice is perfect for pop music. Although Alexis Strum, 28, has yet to release her debut album, she is already a music industry veteran. International pop superstar Kylie Minogue recorded Strum’s song “Still Standing” for her most recent album 2003’s Body Language and British pop princess Rachel Stevens recorded “Nothing Good About This Goodbye.” Strum has also penned songs for Thrillseekers, Lange and Ed Case. No stranger to collaborations, Strum collaborated with legendary hit maker, Billy Steinberg, to write a modern day torch song. Steinberg’s impressive résumé includes modern day pop standards, “Like A Virgin,” “True Colors,” “Eternal Flame” and “I Drove All Night.” The result of their collaboration was the lush single “It Could Be You.” She has been the supporting act for acts as varied as Brendon Benson and Charlotte Church. Here in an exclusive interview with The Bridge Alexis Strum answers questions about her upcoming album Cocoon and what inspires her.
You're album, Cocoon, is about to be released this month. Can you tell me a little about it, the themes you touch upon?
It’s about writing in a vacuum with nothing else around, a cocoon of sorts. Let’s hope I emerge as a fucking butterfly!
How much of your work is autobiographical?
Quite a lot of it, but I try not to dwell on my experiences. I want to write songs that everyone can relate to without being all me, me, me!
Who has inspired you musically? What is it about an artist like Kate Bush that inspires you?
People who break new ground musically and lyrically. I am not interested in derivative music. Kate Bush was a one-off.
How was it to work with your idol, Billy Steinberg?
Amazing! The man has stacks and stacks of lyrics all just waiting to be made into hit songs.
This next question is silly but I must ask, can you describe the bad haircut that inspired your song "Bad Haircut”?
I looked like a boy, an ugly one.
You ran a "Bad Haircut" contest website, who's clever idea was that? (I’m) afraid the competition wasn’t my idea. I'd love to take the glory but I'm too humble.
What's your favorite song to perform?
“Stay Until Summer,” it really comes to life on stage.
On your website you list your iPod play lists, what are you listening to these days?
I'm listening to Arctic Monkeys at the minute but I'm mainly listening to lots of unsigned stuff on MySpace. (It’s) more interesting than a lot of stuff on the radio these days!
Kylie Minogue recorded your song "Still Standing," how did that come about? How was that experience for you?
I kept pestering her A&R guy till he gave in. I love her version and I'm dead proud of it.
I love your song, "Nothing Good About this Goodbye," who or what inspired the song and lyrics?
My ex! I'd just split up with him and was driving when I came up with that lyric. Unfortunately, I crashed into the car in front of me, as I was so distracted, not very cool.
Are there any particular producers or writers you'd like to work with in the future?
Stuart Price, Bodyrockers, and William Orbit. I’d like to explore my dance side in the future.
What is about pop music that keeps you interested? Which do you prefer: performing live or recording? Or are both equally meaningful to you?
My passion for the genre keeps me going and the desire to keep trying to come up with something original that will turn people's ears! I prefer both. At the minute I am getting back into writing again though and it is like meeting up with an old friend. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
Alexis Strum is a talent to be reckoned with. Already a darling of the fickle British music press she is set to take the world by storm with the eleven songs on her debut which range from the charming semi-acoustic to the uber cool. Her songs are both expressive and accessible. She not only writes perfect pop songs, she also writes a must-read blog for the clever online magazine PopJustice (http://www.popjustice.com). Her debut album Cocoon comes out March 27 on Mercury Records.
The Metamorphosis of Alexis Strum
By Andres Santos
Bridge Student Staff Writer
Alexis Strum is an accomplished British singer/songwriter in the mold of Kate Bush. Her music is evocative of Tori Amos, Imogen Heap and Scissor Sisters. It’s both melodic and catchy without being saccharine. Her enticing and ethereal voice is perfect for pop music. Although Alexis Strum, 28, has yet to release her debut album, she is already a music industry veteran. International pop superstar Kylie Minogue recorded Strum’s song “Still Standing” for her most recent album 2003’s Body Language and British pop princess Rachel Stevens recorded “Nothing Good About This Goodbye.” Strum has also penned songs for Thrillseekers, Lange and Ed Case. No stranger to collaborations, Strum collaborated with legendary hit maker, Billy Steinberg, to write a modern day torch song. Steinberg’s impressive résumé includes modern day pop standards, “Like A Virgin,” “True Colors,” “Eternal Flame” and “I Drove All Night.” The result of their collaboration was the lush single “It Could Be You.” She has been the supporting act for acts as varied as Brendon Benson and Charlotte Church. Here in an exclusive interview with The Bridge Alexis Strum answers questions about her upcoming album Cocoon and what inspires her.
You're album, Cocoon, is about to be released this month. Can you tell me a little about it, the themes you touch upon?
It’s about writing in a vacuum with nothing else around, a cocoon of sorts. Let’s hope I emerge as a fucking butterfly!
How much of your work is autobiographical?
Quite a lot of it, but I try not to dwell on my experiences. I want to write songs that everyone can relate to without being all me, me, me!
Who has inspired you musically? What is it about an artist like Kate Bush that inspires you?
People who break new ground musically and lyrically. I am not interested in derivative music. Kate Bush was a one-off.
How was it to work with your idol, Billy Steinberg?
Amazing! The man has stacks and stacks of lyrics all just waiting to be made into hit songs.
This next question is silly but I must ask, can you describe the bad haircut that inspired your song "Bad Haircut”?
I looked like a boy, an ugly one.
You ran a "Bad Haircut" contest website, who's clever idea was that? (I’m) afraid the competition wasn’t my idea. I'd love to take the glory but I'm too humble.
What's your favorite song to perform?
“Stay Until Summer,” it really comes to life on stage.
On your website you list your iPod play lists, what are you listening to these days?
I'm listening to Arctic Monkeys at the minute but I'm mainly listening to lots of unsigned stuff on MySpace. (It’s) more interesting than a lot of stuff on the radio these days!
Kylie Minogue recorded your song "Still Standing," how did that come about? How was that experience for you?
I kept pestering her A&R guy till he gave in. I love her version and I'm dead proud of it.
I love your song, "Nothing Good About this Goodbye," who or what inspired the song and lyrics?
My ex! I'd just split up with him and was driving when I came up with that lyric. Unfortunately, I crashed into the car in front of me, as I was so distracted, not very cool.
Are there any particular producers or writers you'd like to work with in the future?
Stuart Price, Bodyrockers, and William Orbit. I’d like to explore my dance side in the future.
What is about pop music that keeps you interested? Which do you prefer: performing live or recording? Or are both equally meaningful to you?
My passion for the genre keeps me going and the desire to keep trying to come up with something original that will turn people's ears! I prefer both. At the minute I am getting back into writing again though and it is like meeting up with an old friend. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
Alexis Strum is a talent to be reckoned with. Already a darling of the fickle British music press she is set to take the world by storm with the eleven songs on her debut which range from the charming semi-acoustic to the uber cool. Her songs are both expressive and accessible. She not only writes perfect pop songs, she also writes a must-read blog for the clever online magazine PopJustice (http://www.popjustice.com). Her debut album Cocoon comes out March 27 on Mercury Records.
posted by Alex Pop Rock at 7:27 PM
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