The leader of ‘ALEXIS & THE MISSING PIECES’ is the real deal. Her new EP with the band, launching next month, underlines that.
Based in Melbourne for the last 7 years, she rapidly attracted a significant fan base there, but travelled to Brisbane to expand her Aussie reach and to record the “Paper Cut Outs” EP with Yanto Browning (Kate Miller-Heidke/The Medics) with remarkable results.
Alexis and Yanto enlisted the help of some of Brisbane elite musicians to become some of the “Missing Pieces” in the recording of the EP, with members of The Gin Club, The Wilson Pickers and Good Oak happily joining the process.
Composing since the age of 6, this EP runs the full life-observing gamut of all of the strings to Alexis’ songwriting bow.
Alexis spends her time between two very different but equally inspiring music communities and band members. Spending half her time in Melbourne and the other half in Brisbane has ensured her inclusion in each artist community and her fan base in each town is growing every minute.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My earliest memory of performing professionally was at the Harbourside Brassery in Sydney at 14years old. Sharing my originals in a paid showcase of artists. It was an experience.
My Mum inspired me to get up and be the artist I am today but one of my favourite influences is Tracy Chapman. I saw her live when I was 15years old and knew that I wanted to be an artist that shared my music with the wrld to help shape it in a positive way.
Can you remember the first song you learnt to play on guitar?
I think it was actually Eagle Rock.haha.
What is the most embarrassing CD in your collection?
Ooooooo. I woul have to say I am quite happy with my cd collection. Not too much embaressing music that I can think of, just all music that has influenced me over the years. Although, some of the country albums I have my friends would say are a lil embarrassing.
Who are some of your folk influences?
Tracy Chapman, Ani Di Franco, Brandi Carlile, Joan Armatrading, Joan Baez, Janie Mitchell, Ben Harper,Marc Cohen…so many more.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I definitely say a prayer. Warm up the vocals. No lucky charm on stage.
If you could curate your own folk festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
Wow! That is not a small question and my brain is now going 100 miles an hour.
I would have to say in the country of Victoria, somewhere near Daylesford.
I would need about 2 pages for the bands and people I would want on this bill! I would want it to be a festival that would let 2000 people in.
Food would b multicultural and a part of the tickets, food and drink would go to a specific Cause to raise money for.
It would be a festival to build awareness and bring passion to a Cause and making people join together for something other than there own wants and desires but to walk out knowing they had contributed as much as the musicians had as well.
Which other Australian artist would you like to work alongside with and why?
I would love love love to work beside Mr Bernard Fanning. His last solo album I could listen to over and over again. I love the tune, the lyrics. He is an inspiration and I would be honoured to share the stage w him or be lucky enough to co-write a song or even support.
He is a fantastic musician and songwriter.
If you weren’t playing music, what else would you be doing in your spare time?
Oooooo…probably studying Osteopathy! And youth work. Love helping people.
You’ve been all over the world, played live in several different countries, besides Australia, what is the best country for live music?
Well I definitely have spent time overseas playing tunes and The US is a great place to share your original music but I am sure there are places I have not hit yet that would be incredible and I do have a list!
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
We have 2 EP launches coming up. 21st November at the Black Bear Lodge , Fortitude Valley, Brisbane and 28th November at the Toff In Town, Melbourne.
https://www.facebook.com/events/480241675330387/?fref=ts
EP is called ‘Paper Cut Outs’. You will be able to find it on Itunes in a weeks time. Already have one single available on Itunes from the EP called ‘GOT TO BE REAL’.
