By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, April 13, 2018
NJ's Alexis Pellegrino, aka Lex Rex (Lex Rex and the Dragons), just release a new music video for her song, "Ain't Nothin," from her EP Tides (you can listen to Tides on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Google Play, and Amazon). Check out our interview with Lex, below, to learn about her style, musical influences, and the inspiration behind her new EP.
What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?
I am Alexis Pellegrino aka Lex Rex. I'm originally from Northern NJ. I am now based in Ocean County.
Tell us about your music. How would you describe your style or sound? Where do you record? Who are your influences, musically?
Last year, I released a Hip-Hop single. I don’t think people were expecting Tides to sound the way it does. I went from spitting bars to singing. It definitely put me out of my comfort zone for sure, but I’ve been writing pop music since I was in elementary school. I finally decided to go with it. I love writing melodies over some smooth synth or a nice beat.
I recorded Tides at Eight Sixteen/Traxx East Studio in South River, NJ. I absolutely love them there, they are like family.
My musical influences are pretty wide ranged (I’d like to think). Frank Ocean, MJ, Earth Wind and Fire, The Internet, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, The Weekend, Kanye West, The Stooges, Nirvana. Growing up my dad would play Disco/Motown/Jazz/R&B…. so I would like to think I started off on the right foot as a kid ;).
Congrats on the new music video!
Thank you! Because Tides has a throwback kind of feel, I’ve been figuring out ways to tie in retro design/film with modern day design/film. I love it, mostly because you learn a lot about how far we have come in design, technology, etc. from studying the past.
What's the meaning or inspiration behind some of your newest songs? How do you want people to feel when they listen to your music?
Honestly, the EP is about an Ex-lover. A friend told me that this is “The saddest happiest sounding EP they have ever heard.” The music is upbeat for the most part, but if you listen to the lyrics, they are rather deep/emotional/sad or coming from a place of hope for the future. I hope people connect with my music. I think there is a song for everyone on the EP, and I love how diverse it is. It was honestly very challenging but super rewarding to hear the finished product. I honestly wanted people to feel like there was hope for them even in a place of feeling worthless, low, and stuck in a bad place.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get started with music? What's been your personal journey? Are there any artists, bands, or producers who you'd love to collaborate with one day?
I started getting into doing live music through dance/theater. I fell in love at an early age. Started dancing at age 3, and then it just took off from there!
Current bands or artists I’d love to collaborate with would be Frank Ocean/SZA. Both of them together would be ideal. I am heavy on the R&B, always.
What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar passion, or is maybe facing obstacles similar to what you've faced?
Keep doing YOU! NEVER give up and NEVER second guess yourself. Also, push yourself out of your comfort zone at least once a day, you’ll find you grow from stepping out of your own zone!
What's next on the horizon for you? Any upcoming shows, singles, music videos, or plans for the next album?
I will continue to release new music videos to go with the songs on the EP as well as some future live performance dates, TBA ;).
Finally, how can people find you online?
I am on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube!
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexrexandthedragons/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LXRXNDTHDRGNS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexrexandthedragons/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsNZq756vBPGmbwSVAHwGiw?view_as=subscriber