In today’s world of rock, it’s hard enough for musicians to get a good gig, no less shine in the sound department. Alexa Ray Joel, 21, is up for the challenge. Yes, she is the daughter of the one and only Billy Joel and super-model Christie Brinkley, but she’s far from living in her father’s shadow.
A promising pianist, singer and songwriter, Alexa has definitely acquired the Joel genes, yet her soulful sound and technique are all her own. In September, she released her debut EP Sketches –six moving melodies that show off her sultry voice and deliver modern-day blues and soul ensembles.
Alexa may be rock royalty but she doesn’t appear to be capitalizing on it: No fancy entourage, no big media blitzes and no record labels yet. There’s just a band of four: Alexa on lead vocals and piano, Jimmy Riot on bass and vocals, Dim Gurevich on organ and guitar and Marc Slutsky on drums. Like any other band starting out, they began performing in intimate settings and are now working their way up to larger venues.
Glide caught up with Alexa as she was finishing up her debut tour of the college circuit to discuss life before and after Sketches.
The visual image I have of you as a toddler is very endearing…sitting next to your dad at the piano singing nursery rhymes, etc. Do you think the idea of becoming a musician is ingrained in you from those early years?
I would definitely say music was always in me. My dad’s definitely a huge part of why I’m doing this and my mom too. It was a very musical environment. They would both sit at the piano and my mom can actually carry a tune herself. He would play the piano and she would always harmonize. So growing up with that, it’s just sort of ingrained in you.
Supposedly you started writing at a very young age. How old were you when you wrote your first song? Was your father very influential in the songwriting process?
I used to write ideas a lot but I didn’t actually start working out and finishing songs until I was about fifteen. I was always making up little melodies around the house starting when I was three or four years old. I definitely learned that from my dad…melody first and lyrics second. That’s why I call him “the melody man”. Whether he’s playing classical music or The Beatles, it’s all melody-driven.
As a child you classically trained on the piano with a teacher on Long Island. Was it difficult to separate your father’s theories and styles from those that you learned independently?
No, because I never really trained with my dad. He would always help me out and say, “Hey, do this piano thing” etc but it was never on a regular basis. I had classical piano training for about 5 years starting when I was 11. That was definitely a challenge for me. My mom was the one who really pushed me to practice and now that I’m older…and have sort of forgotten some of the stuff that I learned (laughs) Hopefully, I remember most of it. My dad helps me out here and there with certain chords every now and now, but never too much because this has got to be my own thing.
Did you find Long Island to be a nourishing environment?
It was definitely an inspirational place just because of how beautiful it was. There was much more wide-open space and farmland than there is now. So I’m glad I grew up there when it still existed. That’s why I love Sag Harbor …because it’s so babe-like.
Growing up in the spotlight did you ever rebel and turn away from music?
Well, I never really fully turned towards music until recently. It was something that I always dreamed about but didn’t actually pursue until last year. I went to a vocal coach and I had one lesson and he said, “you don’t need voice lessons, you need to work with a band.” He set me up and it sort of happened very naturally. But no, it was never one of those things where I said, “Okay, I can’t do this because I’m my parent’s daughter.” There are certain disadvantages, but there are way more advantages to it.
You sound a bit rebellious on “Revolution Song” especially when you say, “I just don’t fit in modern society.” Do you really feel that way?
I actually wrote that song two years ago. Some of the songs are very old so they don’t necessarily reflect how I feel today. I think everybody feels like that to some degree — especially when you’re a freshman in college just trying to come into your own. There definitely was some of that teenage angst there that I have shed since I turned 20, but I think I was also very frustrated. I was in the theatre program at NYU and I didn’t feel like I fit in — I felt very isolated. Yet, all those feelings were good in the end because it helped me to create songs.
Out of angst comes some of the best songs, right?
Yeah, I believe that and “Revolution” happened very seamlessly and quickly. It was an easy to write kind of song that just sort of found it’s way out.
I love your rendition of “Don’t Let It Bring You Down.” Are you a Neil Young fan?
I am! I absolutely love his earlier stuff. After the Gold Rush was my favorite album of his and I was listening to it a lot at the time. I thought no one has ever really done a rendition of this song. If I covered an Aretha Franklin or Etta James song, that would be such a given. I thought a male folk singer would be way out of left field and I’m always looking to surprise people.
On the song, “Now It’s Gone” I hear Fiona Apple’s influence. Do you admire her work?
I have to admit that I haven’t heard her most recent album, but I loved Tidal Wave. “Criminal” is amazing and “Sleep To Dream” is a beautiful ballad. She’s such a great singer. She’s got such a sexy, edgy voice. I like to think I sound like her when my throat is sore and I have more of that raspiness. I was actually most influenced by her when I wrote “Resistance”.
You mentioned in articles a few years ago that it was hard for you to imagine performing in front of large crowds – you were very shy. Could you see performing in large venues now? Or do you feel the intimate café settings are a perfect situation for you?
Oh no, I’m not shy anymore. No, no, no. I’m performing on a regular basis and being in a job where I’m somewhat of a public figure, it just forces me out of my shell — nothing could have done the job quicker than performing night after night.
Sometimes I’m performing in front of thousands. You just learn to expect the unexpected and you have to develop that really spontaneous, outgoing sort of demeanor.
You were named after Ray Charles and you seem to gravitate towards that jazzy, bluesy style. Did you study his work like your father did when he was younger?
My dad got to grow up with him when Ray was alive and performing. He actually got to see him perform. For me, he’s more of this faraway legend. I love his material just as much as the next person…I’m one of those people that have a new favorite artist just about every couple of months.
And who is it recently?
Lately I’ve been getting really into The Outfield. I’m all over the place with influences. I love Journey and I know it’s kind of late in the game, but I’ve been discovering Michelle Branch…and even Dolly Parton. I never limit myself.
Speaking of Dolly Parton, I read on your website that you recently wrote a country, bluegrass song…
Yes! The song is called “Hard As Hell”. It’s very upbeat with a real Dolly Parton feel and people seem to really like it.
Being a former theatre major at NYU, do you see yourself going back to school for your degree at some point?
I never like to set any limits for myself in terms of that. But I don’t necessarily think I would go back for musical theatre. I have a real interest in many areas: literature, art history, psychology and philosophy. But right now this whole thing seems to be going so well — I’ll have to see.
Are you working on a full CD set yet?
Oh no, I’ve been so busy. I just got back from the road. I did my last show for the year and I haven’t had any time to go into the studio. I’m going to be meeting with record labels and that’s a whole process that takes some time. But definitely by next year I’d love to be working on a new CD.
I’m sure you’re happy to have this time off now, although you have a pretty busy schedule in December as well…
Exactly… I have a feeling I won’t have a full vacation for a while. But I am going away for a couple of weeks to Aspen.
Will you perform in small venues while you’re there?
No, it’s strictly time off. I really need to rest my voice. I’m such a perfectionist, anyway. I’m not one to perform at a moment’s notice. Sometimes there are last minute shows to get together, but most of the time I have to work in a guitarist, make sure the band is up to speed and there’s the whole process of rehearsing and recording. I’ve got six new songs to record that aren’t even on the EP, so I’m just hoping the creative flow keeps coming and I can work on new stuff.
Was it a difficult undertaking getting this band together?
Yes, the process of getting band members is not easy. I’ve had to switch it up for a while because one guitarist might have to leave and go on another gig for example, and then I have to find a new one — which I’m actually in the process of doing right now. But I have a wonderful bass player…
Is that Jimmy Riot?
Yes, exactly. He’s actually my boyfriend. He’s great and he’s stuck with me for the longest amount of time. I have a new drummer, Marc who’s also great and you can see the whole band on Myspace. We have a keyboardist Dim, who plays a lot of the songs when I want to take a break– so I can stand and dance. Basically, he covers for me when I don’t feel like playing the piano (laughs).
If you could play anywhere, where would it be?
Hmm…(pause) Madison Square Garden? I’d love to play there. That would be amazing! I guess I’ve definitely come out of my shell.
Joanne Schenker lives in New York and is a contributing writer for Glide, Blogcritics.com, SanityCentral.com and other publications. Check out some of her other thoughts at jocoschenker.typepad.com. She can be reached at [email protected].
