Alexis Taylor – How Do You Sleep

By starrymag | March 19, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as a mix of country and pop with a bit of edginess to it.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Some of my musical influences include Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “How Do You Sleep.”

 

A) My newest song “How Do You Sleep” is a very personal song about a situation I had to go through a few years ago when I first moved to Nashville. The song is based on a relationship I was in and the unfaithfulness that transpired after I had gone home for Christmas break for a few weeks. Not long after the relationship was over, I sat down and wrote “How Do You Sleep.” I love writing songs that are honest and truthful to the experiences I have gone through in my life. It allows me to take something that caused a lot of hurt, and turn it into something beautiful.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think that fans connect with “How Do You Sleep” because it is an emotional song, which many people can relate to in a sense. There are many times in a relationship when people do hurtful things to each other, whether it involves physically cheating or not. Often times it can leave you wondering how the person who caused the hurt can just brush it off like it’s nothing or in the case of my song how they sleep at night knowing they broke your heart.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) My song writing process is very random and is never the same twice. Sometimes I will come up with lyrics first, other times I will come up with a melody. It is always different every time!

 

Q How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) A Ross Coppley produced both singles that are currently out and was nice enough to let me have quite a bit of input on both “How Do You Sleep” as well as “Blame The Whiskey.” If there was something that I was unhappy with, he would make sure that changes were made and that I truly liked what we had for the finished product.  I am thankful that he included me in the production of each song as much as possible.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Alexis Taylor performance?

 

A) My live performances are energetic and very interactive. I enjoy talking to my audience and connecting with them while I am up on stage. I think engaging the audience allows people to see who I am as a person as well. Not only does it make the performance more fun for everyone, but it allows my fans to see a little bit more of who I am.

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

 

A) I am currently planning on releasing more music in 2019, but I am not yet sure if it will be a full-length EP. I have written plenty of songs to release an album or two, but single song released are definitely something that are much more popular than albums these days. So, we’ll see!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) One of my favorite places to perform at is in my hometown back in Canada. One of the first places I ever performed at was Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario, where Shania Twain got her start way back when. I think it is one of my favorite places to perform because it reminds me of how hard I have worked to get where I am. When I first played there, I would set up a music stand and bring my binder full of songs to play guitar and sing along side my Dad. Since then, I have long ditched the music stand and am able to feel much more comfortable on the stage without having to hide behind my binder of songs! Every time I play there I am humbled by how far I have come and the people who have helped me get to where I am today.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) That is a tough one because there are so many great songwriters in this town. I think if I could narrow it down to three people I would most like to collaborate with it would include Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, or Natalie Hemby. I have been a fan of each of their songwriting styles for quite a number of years and I would definitely jump at the chance to write with them!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I really love the entire soundtrack of A Star Is Born. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sound absolutely amazing together! Ever since I saw the movie in theaters, I have had the soundtrack on repeat – especially “Shallow” and “Always Remember Us This Way.”  I think I like the soundtrack so much because of its raw emotion and lyrical brilliance. It is very much how I strive to write and is a very inspirational album to me as a songwriter.

 

Q) Your hit song “Blame the Whiskey” earned you Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2018 Tennessee Music Awards. What did that moment mean to you? 

 

A) When I initially got nominated for the Female Vocalist of the Year for 2018 at the Tennessee Music Awards, I was flattered and shocked at the same time. But when they called my name as the winner, I was even more blown away. So many of my fans, friends and family voted for me and were such a huge support. It was definitely a moment of gratitude for the doors that God has opened in my life lately and a moment of thankfulness to every single person in my life who continues to believe in me, especially my parents. I will always cherish that moment!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Yes, I am quite active on social media. I think social media is an important way to connect with my fans because it gives me the ability to consistently interact with them. I become more personal through the use of social media and can engage in comments or messages from fans. It allows me to show my fans that I care about them and that I cherish their opinions and feedback on my music!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) To anyone who has supported me and been a fan of my music over the years. I would just like to say thanks for always believing in me and continuing to encourage me to pursue my love for music. There is nothing else I would rather be doing and it is because of the love and endless support from my fans that I will continue to make music!