Q&A: Alexa Dark’s “Alibi” is a Glamorous Ode to Forbidden Love
ROMANTICIZING RISKY LOVE – Alternative singer-songwriter Alexa Dark has unveiled her latest single, "Alibi," a track that blends sultry melodies with a reckless, glamorous allure. The song is a bold exploration of the seductive and often toxic aspects of romanticizing love, capturing the essence of 1960s Hollywood glamor while blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
"Alibi," written in collaboration with songwriter Simon Oscroft and mastered by Brian Lucey, is a shimmering ode to indulgence in all its forms. Dark describes the track as a manifestation of her tendency to over-romanticize situations and people, even when it involves the forbidden or the toxic.
"It came together in a day in LA," Dark says. "It's inspired by the seductive pull of the forbidden and my habit of over-romanticizing situations and people – even bad ideas and toxic lovers. It’s an ode to that, a fantasy come to life."
The song unfolds like a vintage film, its cinematic qualities painting a picture of an era where love and lust are pursued with unabashed fervor. The track's production mirrors this vision, enveloping listeners in a sonic landscape that feels both timeless and otherworldly. With its blend of sultry vocals and lush arrangements, "Alibi" is a testament to Dark’s ability to weave a narrative that is both intoxicating and introspective.
Dark’s "Alibi" invites listeners to indulge in the fantasy of reckless romance, making it clear that even in the world of alternative music, the allure of the forbidden remains irresistibly compelling.
LUNA: Thank you for talking to Luna. It's super exciting to have you back since the last time we talked about your single “Villain.” I would love to catch up and see how life has been treating you and what have you been up to since the last time we talked.
ALEXA: I'm super excited to be here. I'm excited to have just released my single “Alibi,” and to be launching into this next era of music.
LUNA: What kind of atmosphere or emotional space do you aim to create for your listeners?
ALEXA: I love to create a world around my music, a little cinematic, dark, nostalgic, one that's outside of the world that we live in, but still a space where I and listeners can process those emotions of love and longing and everything in between.
LUNA: You’ve mentioned being deeply inspired by classic films, particularly from the 40s, 50s film noir, and 60s French New Wave cinema. What is it about these eras that speaks to you most, both in terms of your artistic style and persona?
ALEXA: I think it's the aesthetic of these eras, the way that they create this poetic longing in this cinematic space, from the lighting to the lines that are used. It feels very romantic. I'm a sucker for romanticizing things, so I think that era really speaks to me.
LUNA: Last time we talked, you also mentioned that femme fatale icons serve as a big inspiration for you. When you think of classic femme fatales, what qualities or traits do you feel you channel in your own work, whether through songwriting, performances or visuals?
ALEXA: Femme fatales are a big style inspiration for me, but also going back to that dark feminine energy, a big personality and personal influence for me, I think they have this strength in their femininity that I love to tap into.
LUNA: Do you have any particular icons you gravitate towards the most or are your favorites?
ALEXA: I love Lauren Bacall and all her roles. She's a big influence for me.
Photography Credit: Rob Tirrell
LUNA: You just released your latest single “Alibi” and it definitely leans into your world of all things dark feminine energy and femme fatale aesthetics. What is the inspiration behind the song?
ALEXA: “Alibi” came together very quickly in just one afternoon in Los Angeles. I was thinking about my tendency to over romanticize relationships and situations and people, even bad ideas and toxic ones.
LUNA: I would love to touch more on the creative process behind “Alibi.” Can you walk us through a typical recording and songwriting session and how “Alibi” has evolved from an idea to its final stage?
ALEXA: My songwriting and recording process is there's not really one way I do it. “Alibi” definitely was different. My co-writer and producer for this song, Simon [Oscroft] and I, had talked about working together for a while, and “Alibi” was the first time that we got into the studio. It came from a really natural place, just hanging out and talking about our influences, not expecting to come up with anything. We started bouncing around ideas and “Alibi” was born, so very natural.
LUNA: What do you love most about “Alibi” and is there a certain lyric, message or element that you gravitate towards the most?
ALEXA: I love the sexy sadness of it, like this relationship is so doomed, but it's so hot. I think that's the takeaway from it.
LUNA: “Alibi” is your first release since your debut EP Dark, Vol 1. last year. Have you experimented more or taken any risks – either lyrically, sonically or emotionally – with your new releases since the EP?
ALEXA: Definitely. All my songs come from a place inside of me, and I think a lot has happened between that EP and these new releases. I've been processing and also I've grown. I think that there's a lot of experimentation and interesting sounds that I've been gravitating towards and “Alibi” is the first step towards that.
LUNA: “Alibi” seems to mark the beginning of an exciting new era for you. What can listeners expect from this phase in your music journey? Are there any new sounds or themes you’re eager to explore?
ALEXA: Definitely. I'm very excited for the new music that I've been working on, and super excited to show everybody. I think “Alibi” takes and builds upon the sound and world I've been creating in my music and is a step beyond that; a new chapter.
LUNA: If you were to create a soundtrack for a film inspired by your music, what kind of movie would it be?
ALEXA: Definitely a very moody, dark, complicated main character, maybe something film noir.
LUNA: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like that you'd like to share with Luna?
ALEXA: I'm super excited for all the new music I've been working on. I'm excited to show everybody and it's an exciting time.
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