New Face on Myspace: Interview with Singer Songwriter, Alex Paulson

Alex Paulson is a Myspace newcomer, just starting out with new songs and a breath of fresh air. She's been compared to the likes of Regina Spektor and Alanis Morissette, but she has her own style. I had the chance to ask her a few questions, and she talked of her influences, inspirations, and her disco moves. Check her out on Myspace, and let the music speak for itself.

What is in your CD player?
AP: The Strokes - Room On Fire. It would have been Is This It but I left that at work.

If you could perform with one musician, dead or alive, who would it be and what song would you perform?
AP: Robert Plant. Actually, no not Robert Plant, because I wouldn't be able to focus on anything other than his chest. I'd say John Lennon and we'd write something brand new and perform that.

What is your favorite lyric (from you or someone else)?
AP: Well, see the thing is, some of my favorite lyrics -- it's almost not as much what's said as much as how it's said. So, like, I could tell you my favorite lyric is, "Baby, I'm gonna leave you," but unless you hear Plant sing it, it's just the easiest sentence in the world. In terms of lyric for lyrics sake: "Too scared to own up to one little lie."

So, what is your favorite lyric in terms of how it's sung?
AP: "Baby, I'm gonna leave you. I ain't jokin' woman I've got to ramble."

Who are your top three favorite musicians/bands?
AP: The Eagles, The Beatles, and I guess as far as a modern band...I'd say The Strokes, even though I don't mention them much. I think they had a big influence on the way I write things. All three of those bands did, really.
I wanted you to say The BeeGees just because it would have flowed very nicely. The Eagles, The Beatles, and The BeeGees.
AP: Sorry.
It's okay. Not everyone likes disco.
AP: I can disco. I have moves.

Is there a song out there that you kind of wish you'd written yourself?
AP: There are many songs I wish I'd written myself. But I'd claim Molly's Chambers from Kings of Leon. Or Milk. Both. Or Dirty Diana by Michael Jackson. I think that's a cool song. I'm weird, though.

What are you most proud of, musically?
AP: Well, I guess how far my song-writing has come in such a sort amount of time. I mean, I've always been a singer, but as far as sitting down and putting together a song... well, I did that only sparingly. So, I think musically that's what I'm most proud of.

Do you relate, in some way, to all of your songs?
AP: All of them. A few are specifically about someone else, but there is always a bit of me in them. Some of them are completely about me, but -- are told through someone else, if that makes sense?
It definitely does.
AP: Yeah, music is a good release, I've found. So, I'm lucky.

How do you write a song? [Lyrics then music? Music then lyrics? All together?]
AP: Well, it's a little bit of both. For the most part, though, I've found I can just sit down and a melody will come and then the words. So I guess, melody first words later. The music is really what gives me the feeling of a song. So if I have something really melancholy I'm not going to sing about flowers and butterflies. Not that I would sing about flowers and butterflies.
You should try it. It might be liberating.
AP: Oh yeah, get the repressed fluffiness out.
Exactly!

What motivates or inspires you the most when it comes to writing music?
AP: People. Or phrases I hear. As far as motivation, I've learned that I can't force a song. It's like I said, I have to wait until I sit down and it just comes. Otherwise, it's complete crap or it doesn't come together at all.

You're stuck on an island and can only bring one mixed CD with you. What twelve songs or artists would you want to be on it?
AP: It would take me days to decide that. I'd just bring Almost Famous and watch it on repeat.

What is the craziest thing you've done?
AP: This.

What is the craziest thing you want to do?
AP: Uhhh -- go sky-diving, I guess. Or -- become an archeologist. I wanted to when I was a little kid. That's pretty crazy, right?