Rising Filipino-Australian pop singer ALEXIS is a star in the making. We chat with ALEXIS about all things music below.
What first inspired you to start making music, and how did that journey begin?
I’ve grown up playing music and performing but it wasn’t until my first semester at uni that I realised how much I actually wanted to make my own music. At the time I was studying health science and I remember talking to my mum and dad telling them that I felt like something was missing and that I wasn’t sure what to do. They were the ones who encouraged me to audition for the Sydney Con and also helped me find a studio that I could practice writing and making demos with.
Can you describe the creative process behind “u sure like to make me feel crazy” from start to finish?
So I wrote this song at a writing camp back in 2024 with some incredible people. Aidan Hogg produced while Alieysha Nicholls and Giulia McLean co-wrote with me. When we first got into the session we were actually planning on writing a slower ballad song but when I was talking and sharing stories about this past relationship everyone in the room was like “no we have to make this something you can scream in your car.” From there everything just flowed so easily and we ended up making the song it is today! Because the song is so funny and a bit cheeky, Aidan thought it would be funny to add in a little sarcastic voice memo in, one that poked fun at what my ex had said to me. We ended up getting one of my good friends Ben to record a bunch of douchebag voice memos and then picking the best one. This song was so much fun to make and to this day is still one of my favourites in my catalogue.
How do you decide which personal stories to share in your songs?
For me, writing about what I know and what I feel has always created my best songs.I’ve always been someone that has big emotions and sometimes I find it hard to articulate those moments and feelings in conversation so I’ll try to write about it to get it out even if it is a bit scary at first to say out loud. I think as an artist it’s important to tap into those feelings and moments because that is what resonates with other people. Some of my favourite songs from other artists are when they tap into those different stories and emotions and I feel it in my chest.
What role do collaboration and co-writing play in your music?
I love collaborating and writing with other people and it plays a big role in all of my music! I think it is so much fun having other people in the room and we’re all vibing and bouncing off each other. I think collaboration is also such an important thing when writing music because people have other ideas and perspectives that you might have not ever thought of before and it ends up being the one in the final version.
How do you approach creating a sonic identity that feels unique to you?
I guess for me it’s all about creating music that I enjoy and that feels right to me even if it doesn’t technically fit ‘within project’. I love to try new things and to just see what happens in a session and I think naturally my ‘sound’ shows since I am having so much fun. There have been times where I’ve tried to write a song and have it fit a certain sound or trend rather than just seeing what works and it ended up not sounding like me and I ended up not really liking the song.
Are there any artists you’ve worked with or hope to work with who have influenced your music?
I’m a big UK pop girlie fan and I would love to work with Rachel Chinouriri, Griff, Holly Humberstone and Maisie Peters. There’s just something about the way they craft their lyrics and melodies together that hooks me in and stays with me!
Your tracks blend vulnerability with energy—how do you achieve that balance in the studio?
I love songs that are energetic and you can like to sing in the car but if you strip it back and listen to the lyrics there’s actually a lot of emotion there. I think for me, writing about what I know and what I feel gets the best out of me and because I’m working with other people they’re able to help me craft these ideas into moments that are catchy and fun.
Do you write music with live performance in mind, or does it come from a purely recording perspective?
To be honest I don’t really think about it during the process, it’s more like a thought after we wrote the song being like “this would sound so cool live!”
How has your sound evolved from your earliest releases to now?
Honestly my earliest releases don’t really sound like me! They’re a lot more indie-rock heavy and I was still trying to find my lyric style. It definitely took a couple of years to find my style and sound but I feel like the music that I’m making just keeps getting better and better.
Are there recurring themes or messages you want listeners to take away from your music?
My music explores a lot of feelings that can be so many different things. They can be straightforward, they can be messy, they can be complex and I guess I would love for my listeners to feel like they’re not alone if they feel the same way. These big feelings can be hard to explain and sometimes people don’t get it, but I hope that those who do listen to my music and who do feel the same way know that I understand and know that those big feelings aren’t something they have to keep inside or to themselves.
How important is visual identity (videos, artwork, styling) in shaping how people experience your songs?
I love music visuals and feeling like there is a world behind each song so I feel so lucky to have one of my closest friends help me out with mine! For all my visuals I’ve gotten to work with my friend Justin Cueno. He’s been so incredible in helping me build my visual world and executing it but also in helping me articulate what I want. I think having something tangible that people can tap into further enhances the listening experience and I think it gives people another perspective into the songs.
How do you deal with creative blocks or moments of self-doubt while making music?
Working with collaborators and co-writers helps me in these moments. Sometimes I’ll get stuck on an idea that I really love and if I’m working with another person I’ll ask for their help and their perspective. I think also leaving a song and coming back to it is super helpful. I’ve been in writing sessions where I’ll get stuck on a verse and instead of trying to force it, coming back to it like a week later with a fresh mind is super helpful.
What’s the most surprising reaction you’ve had from a fan regarding one of your songs?
Honestly I’m so blown away by all the support and love I’ve gotten with all my releases. When I released my first song I was so anxious that people weren’t gonna listen or like it or that people wouldn’t care but I’ve received so much love that it helped calm those nerves. Feeling all that love makes me want to share everything else that I’ve got.
How do you balance the demands of the music industry with staying true to your artistic vision?
I guess being true to my sound and story is really important to me because people who care and feel the same way will be around to hear it and at the end of the day, those are the people that my music is for. I’m always trying to remind myself that it’s important to remember that there is room for everyone in this industry and I don’t have to force myself to fit in a certain box or fit a trend.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to collaborate with Olivia Rodrigo. I think she is incredibly talented and she’s been one of my biggest inspirations for the longest time and I would love to just write in a room with her!
