{"id":960,"date":"2009-11-26T12:38:04","date_gmt":"2009-11-26T17:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alexz.net\/?p=960"},"modified":"2009-11-26T12:38:04","modified_gmt":"2009-11-26T17:38:04","slug":"alexz-johnson-france-interview-full","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.alexz.net\/?p=960","title":{"rendered":"Alexz Johnson France Interview (Full)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally Published at Alexz Johnson France<\/a>:<\/p>\n

How did the idea of the song Trip Around The World come to your mind?<\/strong>
\nTrip kind of wrote itself! We were messing around and trying some different choruses \u2013 tapping into a 30\u2019s vibe..<\/p>\n

How was the filming of your music video ? It seems like you had a lot of fun!<\/strong>
\nIt was such a blast. Really natural and in the moment.<\/p>\n

Had you ever been to New Orleans before the shooting?<\/strong>
\nNever. I just fell in love the photos and the history of New Orleans. So much soul.<\/p>\n

Why did you choose to make the whole video in black & white?<\/strong>
\nBecause so little is shot on film these days and my favorite films are from the 20\u2019s French new wave era. Or, film noir.. anything oldschool captures a glamour and beauty all to itself.<\/p>\n

How did you feel a few hours before and after the release of your single?<\/strong>
\nI was excited\u2026 it feels like a long time coming.<\/p>\n

Your hat seems to be an important part of the music video, and we can see one on several pictures from your past photo shoots. Does it mean something in particular? Does it have a special story?<\/strong>
\nI just love the hat\u2026 it served it\u2019s purpose though, I won\u2019t be wearing it all the time, lol.<\/p>\n

Was it important for you that Brendan was part of the music video?<\/strong>
\nYa, it was. We create the sound together, he\u2019s kind of like my band in a way\u2026 until I get my official band, and he\u2019ll still be playing with me on stage. I just want to keep honest with where the music comes from, and Brendan and I make it.<\/p>\n

2) Album :<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

How does it feel to eventually making your dream come true; were all the struggles, sacrifices, and the endless wait worth in the end? Are you proud of the journey you have accomplished?<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s a long one, but a good one.
\nI\u2019m proud that how everything we\u2019ve gone through we still choose to rise above and focus on the music. We literally started from scratch on this record, and it was the best experience because I shocked myself. I didn\u2019t realize how strong I was about my music..<\/p>\n

How did you first react when you learned you were dropped from Epic? Did the idea of stopping it all come to your mind?<\/strong>
\nI was a little numb at first.. it hit me a few months after. It brought up a lot of emotions\u2026 I felt tired at times. But, creating something new is the best medicine.<\/p>\n

According to your blog posted on your website on July 2009, you were label-free, making it on your own, now it seems you are signed to the Orange Lounge Recordings label. What happened in-between?<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s a very indie deal. It\u2019s innovative and new. I\u2019m open for anything and have complete control over the image and music.. I just needed a home for distribution in Canada.<\/p>\n

Do you prefer the Epic album or the Voodoo album? Why?<\/strong>
\nBoth, for different reasons. They both represent a different time in my life. My next record will be completely different as well.<\/p>\n

Could you explain the story, or the meaning of some of the most important songs to you (from Voodoo)?<\/strong>
\nLook At Those Eyes \u2013 pretty self explanatory.. it\u2019s about survival.<\/p>\n

What are the pros and cons of being indie, as opposed to being signed to a major label?<\/strong>
\nBeing indie you have more control and freedom. You have lower expectations and less stress\u2026 it\u2019s fun, more about the music. Being signed to a major, so many cooks can be in the kitchen and it becomes very money driven. Loses it\u2019s integrity at times.<\/p>\n

How do you plan on promoting your album?<\/strong>
\nAny way I can.<\/p>\n

Is there anything, we the fans, can do to help us in our countries?<\/strong>
\nMy fans are incredible. Everything they\u2019re doing is helping get \u201cVoodoo\u201d out there!<\/p>\n

In a recent tweet you said you were working with Refrom for your album cover art. Why choosing them?<\/strong>
\nI like their stuff.. they\u2019re talented guys and really into collaborating with artists.<\/p>\n

What is the number one thing you hope people will get out of your music?<\/strong>
\nI hope it takes them away to a different place, if even for a little bit. I obviously hope it helps people through difficult times in their lives. My goal is to uplift anyway I can.<\/p>\n

What was your favorite part in the process of creating ‘Voodoo’? (the writing, recording, post-production, etc)<\/strong>
\nIt was all really creative and exciting.. I love the writing process.<\/p>\n

When auditioning for Instant Star, did you have the slightest idea that your meeting with Stephen Stohn would \u201cchange your life\u201d, if I can say so?<\/strong>
\nYou never know how things will unfold.. I was younger than too. I didn\u2019t realize at all.<\/p>\n

3) Tour\/upcoming projects :<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Do any tour plans are being concretized? Do you think you\u2019ll start touring around the world before the end of the year?<\/strong>
\nWow.. that would be the goal. A dream really.. It really comes down to where the album is doing well. If enough people want me to perform in France, it\u2019ll happen !<\/p>\n

How do you imagine your first tour? (will there be a bunch of musicians, any decor, or will it be only you and the stage? …)<\/strong>
\nI want my stage show to be very cinematic. Old school.. and very much about the music. A band, a great drummer.. percussionist, I\u2019d love soulful back up singers helping out with all the harmonies. I would hope to have it move people the same way \u201cPhil Collins Live in Paris\u201d moved me in my life\u2026<\/p>\n

Which stages or places would you like to perform on first?<\/strong>
\nI understand there\u2019s baby steps to be made\u2026 but I want to play stadiums someday.. I love epic, big songs\u2026 U2, Peter Gabriel.. Coldplay.<\/p>\n

You said you planned on releasing something special after you album. Could you tell us a bit more about it, or is it too soon?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019m not sure which interview this was mentioned in\u2026 In might have been taken out of context. Brendan and I will certainly be working on new music very soon.. I already have some ideas for the next record!<\/p>\n

What would you do after your tour? Starting working on your second album or do you have any other projects in mind?<\/strong>
\nThings happen so fast in my life, and unexpectedly.. I can\u2019t say right now exactly what my plan is.. I tend to go with the flow.<\/p>\n

With the release of your album you are to get some exposure. Would you be ready to deal with the \u2018paparazzi issue\u2019 if it happened to you? Since you seem to be very private about your personal life.<\/strong>
\nI understand it\u2026 although, I wouldn\u2019t put myself in the middle of it all. It\u2019s nice that people would be interested in my life, but it\u2019s about the music. I think it\u2019s important to remain private when you\u2019re a performer. People come to watch your show so they can get away\u2026 it needs to feel like a different world.<\/p>\n

And to conclude is there anything else you\u2019d like to say?<\/strong>
\nThank you so much for your support. The more \u201cVoodoo\u201d can get out there, the more opportunity I\u2019ll have to some play for you! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Originally Published at Alexz Johnson France: How did the idea of the song Trip Around The World come to your mind? Trip kind of wrote itself! We were messing around and trying some different choruses \u2013 tapping into a 30\u2019s vibe.. How was the filming of your music video ? It seems like you had […]<\/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":[12,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-musings","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\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