1)   Hi Alexis! So to those of you who are new to your music… could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m just a girl currently living in Los Angeles, who loves R&B/Soul and believes music can change lives like it changed mine. Also, a dog mom to the cutest Puggle named George haha

2)   So your new single ‘Gospel’ is set to be released on October 5th. Can you tell us about the writing and recording process of the track? How did it come about?

After spending many years writing and recording songs about heartbreak, I was so ready to put out something with more attitude and sass. I was working on my upcoming EP with producer Andrew Williams when we called in my friend Dom Williams to co-write a few songs. At the beginning of our first session, Dom said that he wanted to play us a song he had written that he thought I would like. As someone who always has a hand in the writing, I was on the fence about it. But once I heard this song I was so blown away and had to record it. I grew up in a Gospel Choir but am not very religious so I LOVED the way this song had the gospel soul feel without it being a religious song. I also loved the lyrics of basically telling someone to shape up or ship out. I have matured a lot and feel like I will totally kick someone to the curb if they aren’t acting or treating me right, and when I say in the song “Better watch how I give you the Gospel” I’m saying exactly that.

3)   When did you realise that music was something that you wanted to pursue full time?

I have loved music and wanted to be a singer my entire life but when I was little I was super shy. I was drawn to R&B/Soul. Absolutely loved Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. I would sing their songs but only when no one was watching, locked in my bed room. Things changed a lot when I was in 7th grade. When I was 12 years old my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I truly believe listening to music was the thing that got me through it. I would listen to Mariah Carey's "Butterfly" over and over again. Something about it just spoke to me in a special way. Towards my dad's last stage, I sang the song for him and he responded and smiled. From that moment forward, I made a promise to myself that I would use my voice and music to help people get through hard times the way that music helped me. From there when I entered high school, I joined the MLK Jr. Gospel Choir where I became the only Caucasian member, and one of the lead singers. It was one of the best experiences of my whole life and really brought my out of my shell. It was the priority for my life from that moment forward.

4)   Who was the first Artist that made you realise that you wanted to be a musician?

I think the very first artist I was obsessed with was Mariah Carey. I remember playing her “Music Box” album and pretending to be in a music video to every song. I still do that haha J

5)   Who has influenced / inspired you the most as an artist? Have these influences changed as you have grown and changed as an artist?

It was definitely a combo of people I was just enamored with as a kid – Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and later on Christina Aguilera and Gavin DeGraw. I was so drawn to their soulful voices in the way that when you listen to them you physically feel every word and note. I wanted and still want to sing and be just like them.

6)   Who are you listening to at the moment?

I still listen to all those artists I mentioned. I was actually listening to Aretha’s Greatest Hits when I looked down on my phone and saw she had passed away. So heart breaking. Other than those greats, I am currently really into Maren Morris. Her album is one I can always listen to start to finish and love every song. Can’t wait for her second album! Of course, I LOVE Beyonce! She is flawless on stage and I would love dance lessons from her haha. I also can’t get enough of Usher. Love him!! I actually fell one time at a party while dancing to his song “Yeah” with some friends and ended up in the emergency room and needed stitches. But I’ll save that story for another time haha J

7)   Can you tell us anything about your plans for the future?!

I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping people love Gospel like I do so I can come over and tour in the UK! Would be such a dream!

8)   And finally… what is the one thing you wish someone had told you before you entered the music industry?

Early on, the things I was told and what appeared to be most important, is likeability and physical appearance. As a teen, I put a lot of pressure on myself to look good because that’s what the magazines told me. To be a young girl and to feel the need to focus on sex appeal, I now know it doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like or where you come from…the most important thing is focusing on what you’re passionate about, what makes you truly happy and staying true to yourself.