“I think a lot of what makes music great is the story behind the
artist. All artists have a shared passion for music, but every single
person has a different story and a different experience to share”
– Alexa Wilkinson
ALEXA WILKINSON is more than meets the eye. Her
pretty, girl-next-door face on a petite 5-foot 4-inch frame suggests
nothing of the emotional maturity displayed in her debut album “Lullaby
Appetite,” now available on iTunes and scheduled for public release this
June through DNK Records. Alexa’s evolution into a musical artist
originated from common childhood experiences. |
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I first got into music because of a boy. Yes, that's right. I was
about 10 years old and I had myself a little elementary school boyfriend
who was taking trumpet lessons. So I decided I would take them too.
Sadly for him, I got good really fast and he just kind of stayed bad. So
I started playing the trumpet in band. Then I asked my dad for a guitar
for my birthday when I was 11, he got me one, and the first song I ever
learned was "Hotel California" (which my dad taught me). My family was a
huge influence on my love for music. My sister who has always been good
at finding awesome music taught me everything I know about alternative
music. The first tape I remember buying was Nirvana "Nevermind." Anyway,
so by age 12, I had come to love everything from Sublime, to Shawn
Colvin, to The Eagles. I realized I could sing around 13 when moving to
a new state not only spurred new emotions but talents as well in
writing. I started writing poetry and fell in love with free form. One day in the shower I think I started humming a
tune and turned a poem into a song. Everything pretty much evolved from
that moment when I fell even more in love with song writing.
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Lullaby Appetite consists of 11 songs that
display a unique of blend of music from jazz, rock and folk
influences. Penned and performed by Alexa herself, these songs represent
her own personal journey through life, love, acceptance, and
lessons learned. Her fresh, smooth vocals slide easily around
the extremely memorable melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and sprite
guitar playing.
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The lyrics are rich with expression, exposing
a vulnerability and honesty without naïvete. Rather there is an
emotional maturity of looking at life with an optimistic eye,
accepting one’s mistakes, and moving on.
From the jazz inspired “Sad Eyed Annabelle, to the
upbeat and edgy “Good Fight,” Alexa’s songs center around love and
relationships, something which everyone can relate to. In “Sad Eyed
Annabelle,” Alexa portrays an unhealthy relationship where the girl is
manipulating the boy, whereas “Good Fight” reveals Wilkinson’s more
playful side, such as picking a fight in a relationship. Fan favorite
and Alexa’s first single, “Of Graves” depicts a young woman reminiscing
about a past lover, while “Lullaby Appetite” talks about a long-distance
friendship.
Half of the songs on “Lullaby Appetite” were produced and co-written by
singer-songwriter Josh Kelley. So naturally, Kelley would have Wilkinson
along on tour with him. The tour for Alexa will kick off April 10th in
Madison, Wisconsin and will continue to span 10 cities across the US,
ending on May 4 in Los Angeles. Being a fan of Alexa himself, Kelley
stated “I was immediately impressed with Alexa’s music—she is an
extremely talented singer and songwriter whose unique sound will no
doubt propel her to the top. She’s got such a natural, easygoing style
to her music that anyone from all ages can relate to it. I’m proud to
have her on tour with me.”