{"id":686,"date":"2009-01-05T17:30:44","date_gmt":"2009-01-05T22:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alexz.net\/?p=686"},"modified":"2009-01-05T17:30:44","modified_gmt":"2009-01-05T22:30:44","slug":"alexzworld-interview-with-alexz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.alexz.net\/?p=686","title":{"rendered":"AlexzWorld Interview With Alexz"},"content":{"rendered":"

You can find the original interview posted here<\/a>. This interview was originally posted Dec. 5, 2009.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s start with your album! Your album seems like it\u2019s finally going to get out to the fans. Do you have any album titles in mind so far? Do you have an idea of when the record will be out?<\/strong>
\nThe title was brought to life when we wrote the last song for the album \u2013 \u201cVoodoo\u201d. To me, it captures the essence of the album.<\/p>\n

This is your first ever album and it\u2019s been in the work for many years. What has been the biggest struggle you\u2019ve had with the album? What about the best part about working on the album?<\/strong>
\nThe biggest struggle was putting my last record with Epic to bed. I had to clear my thoughts and start fresh. Pull from my recent experiences and what I love about music now in my life.<\/p>\n

What song do you feel that you put the most time and effort into? The song you\u2019re most excited for your fans to hear?<\/strong>
\nThat\u2019s a good question\u2026 there\u2019s a few.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook At Those Eyes\u201d is a special song to me\u2026this one was a tough one to create. But, I feel like songs like this have to wait to be understood.. It\u2019s like a journey through the record. They all go together in a sense, yet are all their own little entities. To me, each song captures a different feeling and place.<\/p>\n

What do you hope people will walk away with after listening to your new album?<\/strong>
\nHope and a sense of something real and honest.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Portrait Magazine, you talked about how \u201cBoogie Love\u201d (the song I\u2019m most excited about hearing haha) \u201cmade you feel like we were in a classic Coca-cola commercial\u201d. What do you mean by that?<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s up beat and it\u2019s fun! It kind of makes fun of itself.<\/p>\n

So we\u2019ve heard the clip of \u201cL.A Made Me\u201d on your site, is there any connection between the song and you as a person? Did L.A Make Alexz Johnson?<\/strong>
\nLol..<\/p>\n

There\u2019s always that fear, isn\u2019t there?
\nThe song is about defining your boundaries. I think it\u2019s interesting when you see people making excuses for their behaviour and lack of integrity in this business. I think it\u2019s important to understand where you are, and not change to please.<\/p>\n

Can you give us an insight to Voodoo? What\u2019s the story behind this song?<\/strong>
\nI think Voodoo is one of the more self-explanatory songs. The story is in the lyrics.<\/p>\n

When I first heard Voodoo, I was walking around my house singing \u201cYou make me stop and wonder, what spell have I been under? What type of Voodoo that you do?\u201d\u2013 Have you ever walked around and just randomly started singing your own songs?<\/strong>
\nAll the time! I do it without even realizing.. I feel sorry for my friends, they must be so sick of my songs by now!<\/p>\n

If you were to go through with the Epic album, which song would have been the single and why?<\/strong>
\nThat\u2019s a great question!<\/p>\n

Hmm\u2026 I haven\u2019t thought about that in a long while\u2026 I always visioned \u201cRunning With The Devil\u201d being my first single.. Now, I\u2019d be happy to release \u201cShout\u201d.<\/p>\n

Did you and Brendan write all the songs together?<\/strong>
\nYes.<\/p>\n

Will there be a chance of bonus tracks available?<\/strong>
\nWe may release something special for fun, after the fact.<\/p>\n

You have fans all over the world; from Africa, the UK, South America, Brazil and so on. Do you have any plans to release the album wordwide?<\/strong>
\nThat is definitely my intention.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about your single, \u201cTrip Around the World\u201d! It\u2019s really a fun song that I can listen too while \u201crolling down shady lane\u201d. How did the idea of this song come about? What made it an option for a single?<\/strong>
\nThis song came already written. It rolled off our sleeves like water. We wrote it in just over an hour\u2026 some songs just seem to come that way. To me, this song also captures a voodoo vibe.. something soul about it, it\u2019s a feel good song. People\u2019s reaction to the song at first listen made it clear it\u2019s a good candidate for a first single. It\u2019s lighter than the other tracks and kind of an invitation to the depth of the album.<\/p>\n

Michael Maxxis is the director you picked to shoot \u201cTrip Around the World\u201d. What made you pick him?<\/strong>
\nI like his simplicity. It\u2019s hard to do simple well.. I\u2019m a fan of his videos and think he will offer a darker shade to an already light song.<\/p>\n

You had your fans help you pick your single! Your website has helped you interact with the fans more, do you feel that it\u2019s been helpful so far having the site up? Has it allowed you to interact with the fans more?<\/strong>
\nYes! I\u2019m enjoying the website process.<\/p>\n

Twitter has also been a great way for all sorts of fans to contact you and get contacted back, because you have tweeted a lot of people back. Most musicians and actresses totally ignore the fact that twitter is a great way to contact fans, but you\u2019ve taken advantage of it. What\u2019s it like to actually see what fans from all over the world say and say \u201cthank you\u201d to them or to even answer their questions?<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s fun. I hope to get into the habit of using it more.<\/p>\n

You worked with Epic for a while, any idea what\u2019s going to happen with the 10 songs you recorded with them and the demos, such as \u201cWings of a Dove\u201d and \u201cSteal My Love\u201d? Are you going to try to release them? Will we ever hear those songs?<\/strong>
\nIt would be cool to hear other great artists performing them. We\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n

alexjacobwilson from Twitter wants to know why were you allowed to release the mastered version of \u201cShout\u201d and not anything else from your epic album?<\/strong>
\nIt was unintended. My brother\u2019s e-mail was hacked a while ago and demo recordings that weren\u2019t supposed to be leaked, were. It was really upsetting.<\/p>\n

One song that I was really excited for from the Epic album was \u201cSaving the Train\u201d. What is that song about? Do you think we\u2019ll ever get a chance to hear it?<\/strong>
\nThat song is about survival. I promise you, you\u2019ll hear those songs eventually!<\/p>\n

Last year, Epic posted 5 songs on your myspace. Those songs were from your then-album, correct? How did you find out that Epic leaked half your album and what was your response to the whole thing?<\/strong>
\nAt the time, I didn\u2019t quite understand. Yet, the industry is changing so rapidly that leaks and myspace seem to help many artists. I was open to trusting my label\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

Do you think what you have been through the past few years with both Capital and Epic has made you a stronger musician?<\/strong>
\nCompletely.<\/p>\n

What was your favorite and least favorite part about being with two major labels? Do you feel more in control of your music, now as an indie artist?<\/strong>
\nI do. It\u2019s really nice.<\/p>\n

You worked on the popular Zoog Disney show\u2013yes I\u2019m going there\u2013So Weird. How did you end up auditioning and getting the role of Annie? What was it like to work with Mackenzie Phillips and the rest of the cast? Can you recall your audition for Annie?<\/strong>
\nThat was a fun show. I learned a lot. I recall being flown down to LA to screen test in front of producers and executives.<\/p>\n

Now onto some random and fan submitted q\u2019s!<\/strong>
\nSo your birthday was just a few days ago, happy late birthday Alexz! Is there anything you do special on your birthdays? Do you still have birthday parties?<\/strong>
\nIt was a nice birthday with close family and friends. I\u2019m a big fan of Italian restaurants!<\/p>\n

Have you gone through the comments of the Birthday Project by Alexz-Johnson.org<\/a>? What was your response to the project?<\/strong>
\nI really loved it. Thank you all so much for putting that together\u2026 it was special.<\/p>\n

I read in your Portrait Magazine interview that you like doing yoga. I just started taking Yoga in August and I love it! My favorite pose is Sunflower. What\u2019s your favorite pose? Do you listen to music while you\u2019re doing yoga and what kind of music?<\/strong>
\nI love the dancers pose! Hot yoga\u2019s the best.<\/p>\n

If you took a \u201cTrip Around the World\u201d, right now, and came back in one month, what would be the highlights of your trip?<\/strong>
\nSpain, Barcelona. India and Japan!<\/p>\n

What do you look for in a guy\u2013you have two options: smile or eyes?<\/strong>
\nEyes<\/p>\n

Anzhelika asks: Do you like jazz? What\u2019s your favorite ice-cream flavor? And lastly what\u2019s your favorite perfume? \u2014 Guess she wants to smell like you?<\/strong>
\nI like Jazz \u2013 Chet baker, Billie Holiday, B.B King, Rickie Lee Jones is my all time favorite.
\nI love gelato \u2013 anything hazelnut, or almond caramel
\nI like grounded earthy perfume tones. Not a fan of citrus or anything that smells like cookies.<\/p>\n

Have you ever walked down the street and was recognized by someone? If so, what was the experience like? Were you overjoyed or more scared?<\/strong>
\nIt depends on how I feel that day. Sometimes it\u2019s really lovely. Other times, I have a hard time with it and I wish I had a big turtle shell I could hide in.<\/p>\n

Do you have any hidden talents we don\u2019t know about\u2013besides cooking?<\/strong>
\nApparently I\u2019m pretty good at impersonating people. I can always get a laugh out of re-enacting someone\u2019s character quirks.<\/p>\n

What was it like to be in Reefer Madness? Was that your first musical? Do you remember what songs you worked on for the movie?<\/strong>
\nIt was so fun. Lots of dancing and the cast was really funny.<\/p>\n

What was the most fun part about playing Erin in Final Destination 3 and would you like to pursue a similar role in the future?<\/strong>
\nAt that time, the night shoots were really fun. Exhausting, but shooting nights for days on end felt bizarre and wonderful at the same time. I made friends with some of the cast and there was lots of music jam time.<\/p>\n

Why did you end up taking the role of Laurie and Lia in Stranger With My Face? What was the biggest struggle of the role?<\/strong>
\nI liked the script. I was up for the challenge of playing 2 characters in the same movie. The struggle was going back and forth between characters in such short periods of time.<\/p>\n

Would you rather be behind the camera or in front of the camera?<\/strong>
\nThat\u2019s a great question\u2026<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always had a strong pull toward being behind the camera. Yet, things seem to unfold as they should. I read somewhere that Scorpio\u2019s make great backbones. Meaning, the people behind the show\u2026 maybe that\u2019s why I feel that way? That being said, I really enjoy bringing what I can to any great projects.<\/p>\n

Robbie at Alexz.net<\/a> wants to know, \u201cWhen you\u2019re not writing or recording new music what do you do to relax?\u201d<\/strong>
\nI go to movies, restaurants (I love tapas), yoga, reading\u2026 sometimes I try to just not move at all.. lol. I\u2019m reading a really great book right now by Ann-Marie Macdonald called \u201cThe Way The Crow Flies\u201d.<\/p>\n

These are from our twitter followers:<\/strong>
\nLizz_x_ asked us to ask you when you realized that you belonged in the music industry?<\/strong>
\nWhen I was around 14\u2026<\/p>\n

Cloe_Clo: If you had to choose one thing out everything (a person, an object, a concept, ANYTHING), what would it be?<\/strong>
\nLove<\/p>\n

BurnOutBrighter: What is a musical moments that defined you as an artist? Such as the first band, album, or song you heard or even a great musician you\u2019ve met.<\/strong>
\nMy first showcase with Bren in NY where we met Steve Lillywhite. Writing and recording in the same studio down the hall from Annie Lennox in London. String session with Paul Buckmaster.<\/p>\n

KatieMT: What are your top 5 songs on your iPod\/music device at the moment are? Also, she wants to know if you\u2019ll make it to Toronto when you start touring?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ll make it to T.O!<\/p>\n

Top 5 songs –
\n\u201cOpen Up\u201d \u2013 Editors
\n\u201cI And Love And You\u201d \u2013 The Avett Brothers
\n\u201cAlexandra Leaving\u201d \u2013 Leonard Cohen
\n\u201cHead Rolls Off\u201d \u2013 Frightened Rabbit
\n\u201cSan Francisco\u201d \u2013 Brett Dennen<\/p>\n

xxbluemoonxx: What is a surprising fact about yourself?<\/strong>
\nI don\u2019t care much about convention<\/p>\n

xxbluemoonxx: What is your favorite lyric\/quote and why?<\/strong>
\nThe \u201cDesiderata\u201d is my favorite quote. I try to live my life by it\u2019s example.<\/p>\n

Haribo_Goldbaer: What is your favourite book\/author? Is there a book you can read more than once?<\/strong>
\nFall On Your Knees by Ann Marie Macdonald. I love John Irving, and I\u2019m a new fan of Elizabeth Gilbert.<\/p>\n

KatieMT: What book have you read recently?<\/strong>
\nI was a little late on the boat, but Eat Pray Love<\/p>\n

Lastly, do you have anything you\u2019d like to say to your fans?<\/strong>
\nI want to let you know how appreciative I am to have you with me on this journey and through this process. I\u2019m desperately excited to give back all of your passion in everything I do and always will.<\/p>\n

xx<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You can find the original interview posted here. This interview was originally posted Dec. 5, 2009. So let\u2019s start with your album! Your album seems like it\u2019s finally going to get out to the fans. Do you have any album titles in mind so far? Do you have an idea of when the record will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,10,11,13,15],"tags":[302],"class_list":["post-686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alexz-johnson","category-movies","category-music","category-news","category-television","tag-interview"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t