Q&A: alexxndr.
SELF DESCRIBED AS A "PRETTY COOL HUMAN" - Jordan "alexxndr." Alexander dabbles in a variety of creative fields, including music, graphic design and photography. The Baltimore native has been a music lover his whole life but started pursuing it more seriously along with his friends in around 2012. Though the artist's dad was into Hip-Hop and his mother into Gospel, alexxndr finds himself drawn to a variety of music besides the two genres. "I’ve always loved hip-hop, punk, grunge, indie, jazz, ya know - artsy stuff." alexxndr. has enjoyed drawing inspiration from a variety of fields, but sometimes finds it difficult to go in a specific direction for a project. The creative recently released a music video for his song "Lazy" and is set to release an EP later this month. Read our interview with alexxndr to learn more about this unique up and coming artist.
LUNA: First things first - the name ‘alexxndr’. Obviously, it’s a play on your name but how did you decide to go with that name and why change it a bit?
ALEXXNDR: My last name is actually Midder but my Mom told me it was supposed to be Alexander Jordan Midder a few years ago. She used Alexander as my middle name instead. I decided to change it to “alexxndr” from my previous, youthful names, “Zero Cosby” with a producer name of “NastySpinach”. The no vowel thing looks cool and initially, after the name swap, I wanted to just be a Lo-Fi Hip-Hop producer (If you know lo-fi, you understand the no vowel thing. It just flows.) but I kinda let go of that and went back to making music with lyrics. Oh, and the two x’s add a flair too! I always keep a separate producer name and I decided to keep it youthful under “Aunt Bernese.” It means nothing, it just looks funny. I tried to give it logic but nope, not worth the thought.
LUNA: What’s your elevator pitch when people ask what type of music do you make?
ALEXXNDR: I tend to say, “Everything, except country.” Logically not everything, but just things that most people in America choose to listen to. If I were to really try to sum it up, it would fall under psych/(whatever genre the song is) as I incorporate it to 90% of my music. Maybe experimental? It’s always been hard to answer this.
LUNA: What’s the Baltimore music scene been like for you? Has it impacted you as an artist at all?
ALEXXNDR: Well, I don’t leave my house or talk enough to really know but I’m working on it. I’m saying that with all honesty. I can say, from the artists I’ve met, it can be very humble or it can be very one track. Everyone focuses on themselves, which is tight, but it’s to where it feels like since everyone is focused on themselves there isn’t much room to reach from the circle you’re in. I honestly think the scene could be BEAUTIFUL if we all supported, loved, cared and showed genuine attention to one another no matter what clique, genre or race you’re in. Kinda feels like that comes along AFTER you’re about to pack up your home and gtfo. Everyone from Baltimore might feel like this at some point, or maybe I’m wrong and too introverted. Overall, everyone is cool and unique in their own ways.
LUNA: Even though you’re a rising artist you’ve already got a very curated and overall dope aesthetic. Would you say your aesthetic is an important part of the alexxndr “brand” in a way?
ALEXXNDR: Thank you so much! Yes it is. I tend to keep things simple yet abstract and distinct to where you know I made it. Anything that will mess with your senses is what I aim for. I switch it up per project/season/feeling but all in all, it wraps around the same idea. Simplicity has failed nobody yet. When it’s abstract, it’s highly visible. At times I’m told it’s too much but I love it and I love what I create, that’s what matters most.
LUNA: You’re planning on releasing an EP soon - what was the creative process like for that?
ALEXXNDR: Yeah! It’s Called Boring: As Demonstrated ByAlexxndr. It should be out by Mid-October. I produced it entirely but I can’t remember making half the tracks for it. It’s a good one though! My message nowadays have been telling others to accept your boredom and do something with it. Everything I do strikes from boredom and a thought. Also besides that, just do whatever your brain wants FOR GOOD. NOT BAD. OKAY READER? So that’s pretty much the background of the EP. That’s what motivated me to make this EP. Name’s boring, process: having fun.
LUNA: Who are some of your influences for your music? What about for your personal style?
ALEXXNDR: Generally, my music is based off what I love and am around at the time or what’s been around forever. My favorite artists are honestly anyone that can do “it” themselves. They push me and let me know that I can do it too. So this includes artists like Ty Segall, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), Pharrell, Tyler Okonma, Mac Miller and Kanye West. Besides the ones that work mostly alone, I admire Tomorrow’s Tulips, Sonic Youth, Bad Brains, Hendrix, Dead Milkmen, Wu-Tang, Madlib/Quasimoto, Germ, Outkast, Sex Pistols, and more that’s too much for this interview. Recently, I’ve been really digging the new sound of music so artists like Wavves, Homeshake, Turnstile, Vansire, Ariel Pink, etc. They keep me going throughout the day but there isn’t big influence found.
As far as personal style goes, I really can’t pinpoint it. I do what’s on my mind. I like stuff that makes you feel good but also keeps your ears on a looping trip. I love fuzz (which is also an EP by me you should check out), distortion, delays, etc and that comes from my love of Sonic Youth and various experimental artists. Of course there’s still spirits of late Odd Future in a few tracks but as I grow into my own sound, it’s fading away and that’s a good feeling.
LUNA: Do you find yourself having a common theme when writing?
ALEXXNDR: I like for people to know how I feel when they listen to me. Therefore, they’re emotion based. They’ll pretty much always know where I am/was through songs. I have happy songs; I have sad songs. I’m rarely mad but if I am, it’s very subtle and non-offensive unless taken otherwise (if so i’m sorry.)
LUNA: What do you want people to take away from your music?
ALEXXNDR: Be you, don’t stop doing what you love. Make whatever sound you want, wear whatever clothing you want, listen to whatever you want. It's just a message that I see that has been working for everyone recently so I barely stress the message anymore. Keep being y’all,y’all!
LUNA: What should we expect from you in the coming months?
ALEXXNDR: Well, I’m currently working and will be schooling soon but until then, I currently have a lil merch out, a single and music video that I recently released called “Lazy”, and My EP, Boring: As Demonstrated By Alexxndr. will be out October 2018. Followed by a few shows in Baltimore but if anyone is looking for artists for shows, holler pls!
I’m also saving up for a car and maybe a leopard gecko. Idk what gonna name him/her but expect lots of pictures of those two
