INTERVIEW: ALYXX @ UPHEAVAL – July 2026

According to a recent press release: “ALYXX a singer, songwriter, and pianist hailing from the musical hub of New York, has captivated audiences with her unique blend of classical finesse and rock-infused energy. Born and raised in a world of classical music, ALYXX’s upbringing laid the foundation for her exceptional talent and artistry. However, it was her burning desire to break free from tradition and explore the electrifying realm of rock that truly defined her musical journey. With her classical background and rock sensibility, ALYXX has carved a unique musical niche that sets her apart from her peers. Her unwavering dedication to her craft, coupled with her undeniable talent, has propelled her to great heights, and there’s no doubt that her journey has only just begun. As ALYXX continues to captivate audiences with her electrifying performances and heartfelt music, she remains an artist to watch, destined to leave an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond!” I was able to sit down with Alyxx earlier in the day before her Rising Stage set at Upheaval to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

Toddstar: We’re here with Alyxx at Upheaval 2026 Day 2. Welcome to Michigan.

Alyxx: Thank you for having me.

Toddstar: So, let’s talk about your EP, which was released earlier this year. What can you tell us about the EP that people who have listened to it or haven’t listened to it yet that they may not catch listening to it the first time or two?

Alyxx: It is meant to take you on a journey and it’s kind of going through struggles and trials and life and then the beginning it’s kind of just trying to figure that out. And then by the end you’re like, okay, all this shit happened, but it’s okay. And it’s more of like a positive, uplifting feeling at the end. So, it does take you a little bit on a journey.

Toddstar: Looking back and moving into now, you’re out promoting this with live shows at festivals and other shows that you may be booking up through the year. Is there a song or two that still hits or resonates with you as hard now as it did when you wrote it so that when you’re performing live, you almost want to end the previous song so you can get to it?

Alyxx: Probably “The New Unknown.” So that’s also, it’s technically not the EP, it’s my newest single, but I love that song so much. I feel like every time right before that song, I just get excited to sing it. So, I think that’s definitely my favorite.

Toddstar: Obviously, you’re very visual. How important do you think that is to convey the messages in your music specifically?

Alyxx: Honestly, I don’t think I visually add importance to the music itself. I think the music can speak for itself. I grew up doing theater, so I love being theatrical and dramatic. So that’s why visually on stage, I try to just bring it to the next level. But I think hopefully the music does speak for itself so it can just live on its own.

Toddstar: Listening to your own music, how heavily influenced would you say your classical music background has influenced your rock sound?

Alyxx: I think definitely, especially vocally. Like I said, I did theater, so I was classically trained vocally. So, I definitely have that element towards the way I approach writing and singing and everything. I also was a dancer, so I used to be a ballerina, so I was always around classical music. So, when I compose the songs, I definitely have to add some sort of strings and orchestration. Every song has an orchestra in there somewhere.

Toddstar: Digging into you a little bit more… you’re on tours, you’re on festivals, meet people, possible collaborations in the future, things like that. Who is out there right now has influenced you enough that you would love to do a collaboration with somebody that’s out there now?

Alyxx: Of course, Amy Lee from Evanescence is a huge inspiration. Adam Gantier from Three Days Grace. I grew up listening to them. They are definitely a huge influence on the way I write. And I think that would just be really cool.

Toddstar: Going back to your EP and your sound in general, everybody always wants to put everybody in a bucket or genre. If you could forget genre tags, but if you had a word or two or three just to describe your own music, what words would you pick?

Alyxx: I would say cinematic metal. I was talking to a couple other people and they were like, “It’s very cinematic, but it’s also like metal. Cinematic metal.” I was like, “That is a great explanation.”

Toddstar: I love that you have almost a throwback sound. I grew up cutting my teeth on ’80s rock. To me, your voice has that sound and that grit. Is that something that’s intentional or is that just that’s how you sound? Is that just you being you, not trying to imitate anything?

Alyxx: I think for the longest time I was trying to figure out who I was and how I sing vocally without trying to imitate somebody else. Like you said, writing your own songs is the best way to do it because you don’t have to compare it to anything. It’s not like I’m hearing an Evanescence song and then when I sing it, I sometimes emulate the way she sings it. But if it’s something that I wrote, I have nothing to base it off. So, it’s whatever my voice really sounds like is what comes out.

Toddstar: That said, you are one of my new favorite artists. When I heard the EP for the first time, I was like, “All right.” So, when I saw you were on the bill I was pumped. Talking about how things are perceived, have you seen or heard reviews or comparisons that you’ve thought, “Did he even listen to me?” Has there been anything that’s really thrown you for a loop yet?

Alyxx: Not really. I mean, the internet is filled with horrible people, so people will just comment whatever the fuck they want. And it’s just like, okay. Sometimes people are like, oh, they’ll make a comment about the song and it’s like, clearly I know you didn’t listen to it, but at the end of the day, I mean, technically it counts as a view, so it helps me at the end of the day. Watch it all you want.

Toddstar: When it comes to you personally, you’re still early in your career. What misstep or misconception have you had so far that you wish you could go back and redo, even if it didn’t change the end game? Has there been something that you thought I wish I could take another swing.

Alyxx: The only thing I would say is maybe just starting this earlier. A lot of people started being in bands and they were teenagers and I spent most of my life doing theater. So, I kind of started late to the band game. But I wish that if I had gone back, I would’ve probably started this earlier. But at the same time, I don’t know if I would be where I am now because I’ve learned so much from doing that and all the crazy left turns that my life had taken me before I got to here. So no, at the end of the day, I probably wouldn’t actually change anything.

Toddstar: I’m a big musical theater guy. If you could handpick one role for yourself, what role would you have wanted to play on stage?

Alyxx: Theater wise? Elphaba from Wicked or Sherry from Rock Of Ages.

Toddstar: Both great picks, but Elphaba is better in my mind.

Alyxx: I think Rock of Ages was a closer goal because I almost booked the cruise and then I was almost booked for a national tour. I was in the running for that show. One of them was for the lead, one of them was for waitress number one. And that’s why I’m like, I have a better shot of getting that than Wicked.

Toddstar: Well, you never know. Looking at your EP, looking at the songs you’ve pulled together, the lyrics you’ve written, if you had to pick a lyric or a song title that would go on your own headstone at the end of the day, something that you would want to be your epitaph, your memory left to everyone else, what would that lyric or song title be?

Alyxx: It’s funny because first I was thinking something positive, like “I’ll make it out alive.” But if it’s a gravestone, then clearly, I didn’t. So maybe “You won’t see the last of me” from “Creature Of The Night.” It’s a little haunting.

Toddstar: With your musical background, both being in music and shows and everything else, being a ballerina, listening to classical music, what would be a song or two on your personal playlist that might shock or confuse your fans?

Alyxx: I do listen to a lot of classical music like Tomaso Albinoni. I don’t know how to pronounce his name. He was born like the 1700’s, so no one knows. But a lot more of him or Handel, those types of classical songs.

Toddstar: What’s next for you? You’ve got the EP, it’s still fresh, but it’s not as fresh for you. Are you already looking at the next phase? If you are, what are they, if you can share?

Alyxx: Yeah. I’m always writing. I’m working on a new song. I’ll probably be out at the end of the fall. Still working on some shows. I can’t announce anything yet, but some shows, some other cool events and things happening, but definitely just more music and shows.

Toddstar: Alyxx, if there was one album in the history of time that you could have been a part of, whether it be writing, recording, singing backgrounds, or just sitting in the room, what one album resonates with you that you would’ve wanted to be there and why?

Alyxx: X by Three Days Grace. I just love all the songs. I just felt a connection to them. And I just think it’s like one of those albums where I could just listen to every single song. There’s no skips a hundred times through. And even to this day, I am terrible at remembering what song is on what album. There are some people that are hardcore like, “Oh, was this album this date?” I can’t even remember my own song title sometimes. But that one, I remembered everything.

Toddstar: One last thought. You’ve got the EP out; you’ve got the new single. What else would you like to announce or can you announce? What else would you like to kind of push?

Alyxx: There will be more music coming and more shows. That’s all I can say.

Toddstar: Well, enjoy your time on the stage today. I look forward to it. This is going to be a highlight for me.

Alyxx: Thank you. I’m so excited.

ALYXX LINKS:

UPHEAVAL PHOTO GALLERY

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

X

INSTAGRAM

ALYXX – APPLE MUSIC

Category: Interviews