A Dirty Dozen with LEXI LAYNE – September 2019

According to a recent press release: “Los Angeles singer-songwriter Lexi Layne will release her debut single “The Darkness of Your Heart” October 4th on Bandcamp.   The rocking track tells a tale of lust and love in an uncertain relationship, with Lexi’s sultry vocals taking center stage. Layne began singing at age five and grew up performing in musical theater productions, but it was her passion for rock that led her to strike out on her own.   Inspired by Evanescence, Flyleaf, and Within Temptation, Lexi’s music draws from the raw experiences that have made her a stronger woman.  With help from Layne’s longtime collaborator, bassist/guitarist Clint Fowler, the new single puts a hard edge on an age-old story.” We get Lexi herself to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I wrote this song mainly about the back and forth torment of being in a 3 ring love circle. The feeling of being the other girl. Constantly misled and toyed with. I want fans to connect with the song and have their own story to the song.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I think I always knew I wanted to be in the music industry. I started performing in musical theater at age 5. The stage has always felt like home to me. It wasn’t really until I started writing and working on my first EP at age 16 that I realized I wanted to share my music with the world.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

When I was younger I was such a die hard P!nk fan. I always idolized her rawness and “don’t give a f*ck” attitude in her music. I also saw one of my favorite bands Pvris play their first single “My House” two years ago and never felt more alive watching that performance.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Pvris, Within Temptation, In This Moment, Marilyn Manson, and Joan Jett.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

This is such a hard question! I have always wanted to collaborate with Jonny Craig. His voice is so unique and beautiful. I think we would sound really awesome together.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

My music is very raw, blunt, loud, and in your face. I haven’t disagreed with a review so far!

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Since I am a new female rock artist I don’t have all my live musicians yet, but I am super close with my acoustic guitar player/bassist Clint Fowler. He is like a big brother to me. Usually when we are out I’ll always be the first one to start singing and then he will whip out the guitar. We click really well musically and as friends.

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I’m not typically one to get star struck but who knows what the future holds!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I honestly don’t know what else I would do in this life other than perform. It’s my whole life. I live to perform and be in the studio, singing, writing. It  gives me meaning to life to show the world my true emotions and connect with fans.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted an interviewer to ask me “Why did you choose music?” My answer to that would be “Music chose me. Singing is the number one thing that makes me feel most alive at any part of the day. I could be angry, happy, sad it doesn’t matter the mood. Music is always there to cure me, and that is what I want to bring to my fans with my music.” The question I’m tired of answering is none of them! I really enjoy interviews and giving people the information they want to know.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I like to live by that saying “everything happens for a reason”. Even though in the moment times did get hard and there were things I wish I could have changed then. But when I look back now I wouldn’t change a single thing. Overcoming those obstacles made me the woman that I am and made my music what it is today.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would go back to Within Temptations album, Resist. The album is fairly new but that album hit me hard. The production and vocals in that entire project are just out of this world. So much talent and respect for that whole band, truly.

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Category: Interviews