Alexa Kate: Building Her Sound, Making Her Mark

What inspires your songwriting the most - personal experiences, stories, or something else?

I think what I love most about songwriting is how different it can be each time. Sometimes it starts with a melody or a beat, or I’ll be working with a producer, other writers, or on my own. There are also times when I feel something so deeply that I can’t help but write about it. Those are the songs I love the most – when the emotion is so strong that it feels impossible not to write it down. And those tend to be the fastest ones to write.

Above all, I’m a songwriter. I love writing for other artists and putting myself in their shoes, hearing about their experiences, and writing from their point of view. It’s amazing. It’s so cool to be on both sides of it – writing for myself and for other artists.

Inspiration comes from everywhere – friends, stories, feelings, even TV shows – anything that makes you feel something.

How do you think your music has evolved since you first started?

I started writing when I was about ten years old, so I’m hoping that it has evolved. I’m hoping, I don’t know, haha. But I think as you get older and keep writing, you gradually get better. You don’t quite perfect your craft because I don’t think that’s possible, but you do get better.

Lately, I feel like I’ve found the sound I want. If you listen to some of my older songs, they’re definitely different from recent ones I’ve released. But right now, I’m really happy with where my music is at, and I’m proud of what’s out there and what’s coming next!

If you could collaborate with any artist past or present, who would it be and why?

My answer is always going to be Taylor Swift. I love her, and when I was growing up, I listened to her music all the time (and I still do!). The first song I ever learned on guitar was "Teardrops on My Guitar." Listening to someone, especially a female artist, who writes their own songs and is so amazing in the industry made me realize at a young age that this was something I could actually pursue.

Besides that, she’s an incredible writer and performer, so I’d love to collaborate with her.

Before I move on to the next question then, do you have a favourite Taylor Swift era?

Oh, my goshhhh! That is a very hard question. Honestly, I can’t choose. They are all so incredible for different reasons. I can give you a current top three songs—though it changes all the time—but at this very moment in time, they are:

Clean

The Black Dog

You’re On Your Own, Kid

(To make it clear, it changes all the time).

What’s your preshow routine like?

It’s so interesting because I actually don’t have one. I talk to a lot of people about theirs, and so many people have one. One of these days, I should really make one. I feel like I just get up there and play. So, I don’t have one at the moment, but give me a couple of years, and maybe it’ll evolve. It’s cool though because then I can just get up there and allow everything to happen naturally.

Is there any particular performance or venue that stands out as a favourite?

It’s tough to choose because I can look back at a few performances that have been amazing, where I just felt the energy of the crowd. I feel like every show I play has something special about it for different reasons. Even if I’m opening for someone and no one in the audience knows me, it’s still incredible because you get to talk to new people, and then they know your music and come back. It’s definitely different every time, so that’s why I’m not sure if I have a favorite venue or performance.

I love talking to the audience—it’s my favorite thing. Every show I play, I hope people sing the songs back to me, and they always pull through. Hearing them sing those words back is the most amazing feeling. When you write these songs, you never know if they’re going to resonate, so hearing people sing them back or even coming up to you and telling you how much they like or relate to them is incredible.

I think about this all the time—there really isn’t anything like music that connects people in the same way, especially when it’s all happening in one room.

When did you feel like you were really ‘making your mark’?

It’s hard to pinpoint because every day you’re doing something new, and every new step means another person is hearing your music. I still remember the first ticketed show I ever played, which was in Nashville. When everyone in the room started singing back to me, it was absolutely unforgettable. That moment will always stick with me.

One of my main goals in my music is to help people feel less alone, so anytime someone tells me they resonate with my music, that’s me feeling like I’m making my mark. You write songs from your heart, and you never expect them to resonate the way they do. When they do, and people come up to you or sing the words back, it’s incredible.

It’s surreal to be on the other side of it, especially because I grew up having those same experiences with my favorite songs. So, to be the person who makes someone feel that way is magical.

Where do you see your music heading and what can we expect from you in the future?

A lot of new music is coming this year, and it’s going to be so much fun! I’m really excited to share it with everyone. There’s going to be new songs, shows and much more. So yeah, I hope you stick around and keep listening!