Trasa, wywiady, Pledge

Nie było mnie jakiś czas. Pojawiło się trochę wywiadów, nagrań itp. ale wiadomości tak naprawdę za dużo nie ma. Alexz ciągle mówi to samo, czasem coś dodaje żeby wywiady przestały wyglądać na "copy/paste"

Alexz udostępniła na Pledge, YouTube i iTunes piosenki z Blue. 

Jedzie w trasę z Maxem, będzie jego supportem.

Album pojawi się (najwcześniej) jesienią, wtedy też Alexz planuje własną trasę. Rozważa zastąpienie piosenek z EP innymi utworami na albumie (ale na to bym nie liczyła za bardzo), album ma mieć około 39 minut długości (samo Heart EP to jakieś 15-17 minut) , powinien być skończony za miesiąc:

Alexz Johnson This Is Heartache

Alexz Johnson American Dreamer

Substream Magazine (absolutnie nic nowego ani ciekawego)

sinistergirlz.com (podcast)

Kanał Wigs

Wygląda na to, że Blue było dostępne do obejrzenia na oficjalnej stronie tylko pierwszego dnia. Teraz jest dostępne tylko w USA.

Kanał Wigs na yt, są tam trzy nagrania Alexz/o Alexz. W najnowszym mówi co ją zainspirowało do napisania I Can't Hold Back i Mary. 

Hold Up Now

Alexz Johnson, or Alexzandra Johnson to her mother is a Canadian singer-songwriter and producer as well as an actress. Her career has ranged from appearing on the Disney Channel and CTV and being nominated for three Gemini Awards all the way up to releasing two full-length records and tours. We managed to pin Alexz down to answer some questions about her musical inspirations, vinyl releases and PledgeMusic.

HUNOW: What made you stream your EP before its official release date?
ALEXZ: I believe streaming is a smart way to get your music to a broader audience… I like the idea of listeners being able to hear something before they choose to invest in it.

HUNOW: Were you not concerned that people would simply listen to your songs that way instead of buying them?
ALEXZ: Maybe if I was an artist in the 1990′s… The industry has changed so much. It only takes one person to upload my EP from iTunes to YouTube and stream it that way. Might as well be me.

HUNOW: Growing up, who was your inspiration to pursue a career in music?
ALEXZ: Vocally, Whitney Houston..  I listened to a lot of Roy Orbison, Elvis, Billy Joel and Carole King growing up. They’re writing really influenced me at a young age. At around 15 I got pretty into punk music..  AFI, Anti Flag, Rancid..  I hear a lot of pop aspects to punk music and I believe that influenced my writing a little as well.

HUNOW: Has your parents’ music taste influenced you at all?
ALEXZ: Yes! The above artists I listed above were all their records – besides the punk bands… Unfortunately.

HUNOW: What made you decide to release your EP as an independent artist?
ALEXZ: I’m an indie artist. I didn’t really have another choice.

HUNOW: By using PledgeMusic and getting your fans involved do you feel like you’re closer to them?
ALEXZ: Definitely. I like the new paradigm that’s happening with platforms like Kickstarter and Pledge Music..  it makes it possible to make music and tour.

HUNOW: You mentioned on PledgeMusic that you had written quite a lot of material, are there any songs which you especially want to put on your album?
ALEXZ: I have a lot of material… I write a lot. I have chosen the album tracks. I can’t wait to share the rest of the record!

HUNOW: Are you excited about not only releasing the album with songs but also including the photos and videos of the recording process?
ALEXZ: I like giving people an inside look at the process..

HUNOW: What’s your reasoning behind releasing the album on vinyl as well?
ALEXZ: I think vinyl has a very specific, wonderful sound. I know I appreciate it when my favourite artists release their albums on vinyl, so I figured I’d return the sentiment.

HUNOW: Do you have any tours or festivals lined up for 2014?
ALEXZ: Not as of this moment, but actively looking for something appropriate!

HUNOW: And for the readers of HOLDUPNOW, do you have any advice for beginner singer/songwriters?

ALEXZ: Keep it up. Everyday. Persistence!

From The Horse's Mouth: Alexz Johnson on Heart EP

After a child-star career acting and singing Alexz Johnson (So Weird, Final Destination 3) was bound for success early on and the momentum continued into her early 20s –  signing major labels deals with Sony, then Epic. A few years older and a few major label-year’s wiser, the soulful/folky songstress is proudly independent.
Last Fall she decided to take advantage of her massive and extremely loyal fanbase — launching a PledgeMusic Campaign and successfully raised close to $50,000 from thousands of fans’ donations. The result is the Heart EP, which demonstrates exactly why she’s already received critical acclaim from The Village Voice, Billboard and MTV Buzzworthy, and has  collaborated with everyone from Bruno Mars to The Civil Wars’ Joy Williams, and Ron Sexsmith.
Ghettoblaster recently spoke with Johnson about the forthcoming EP.  This is what she told us.
When did you begin writing the material for the EP?  
I initially started writing the new material at the end of 2012. I spent a good chunk of time in the studio with my brother Brendan, that September, in Toronto at Glassbottle Studios. I continued writing a lot throughout 2013.. gathering up enough songs to pick and choose which ones I felt would fit the album sound before heading into the studio with David Kahne.
What was the most difficult song to take from the initial writing stage through recording and mixing?  Why was it so troublesome?
I’m still working through two tracks. They’re just not done yet..  it’s the over-all sound. Sometimes songs are so easy — they complete themselves – like “Thank You For Breaking My Heart”. Other times, it can be more complex. I need to step away and get perspective. I’m too close to them sometimes.
Which of the songs on the record is most different from your original concept for the song?
I’d say “I Will Fall In Love”.
Did you have any guest musicians play or sing on the record?
J.D Simo and Parick Droney both offered they’re killer guitar skills. I also had The Clean Up Crew sing back-up’s on a few tracks.. super soulful, gospel-ish vibes.
Who engineered, mixed, mastered and/or produced the record?  What input did those people have that changed the face of the record?
David Kahne produced and mixed. Sabino Cannone at MoReVoX mastered the album.

Is there an overarching concept behind the record that ties it all together?
I want to emote classic – not throw-back. These songs we’re written with inspiration from a different time in music.. 1950s, ’60s. I hope to avoid trendy with this album. I hope it resonates on a real level with all ages.
Have you begun playing these songs live and which songs have elicited the strongest reaction from your fans?

I have. I just got back from a European tour with Wakey!Wakey and Ron Pope. I played a stripped-down acoustic set of the songs from the HEART EP (Album sampler available now on iTunes). I’ve had good reaction from them all, which is always a nice sign!

The Wasting

Wygląda na to, że muzyka Alexz pojawi się w nowym niezależnym filmie:
https://www.facebook.com/TheWastingMovie
Piosenka Walking na pewno się pojawi. Alexz ma też szansę na jakąś małą rolę.