Lxandra Creates A Royal Rainbow Wonderland in New "Swimming Pools" Visual [Q&A]
Lxandra creates art with contrast. Her music highlights the dualities of childhood and reality, hope and nostalgia, sunrise and moonlight. Lovely Lxandra has blessed her fans with an impossibly imaginative new visual for her recent soft pop anthem "Swimming Pools." In the new visual, Lxandra creates a royal rainbow wonderland, using mirrors and multicolor lighting to deliver a dream-like experience. The video conjures up childhood dreams of princes, princesses, ponies, and castles that so many of us remember but choose to forget.
Raised on the small Finnish island of Suomenlinna, Finland, Lxandra travelled to Berlin in 2015 to work with Finnish producer Perttu Kurttila, with whom she wrote her debut single "Flicker." The song was a turning point for Lxandra, who was raised on classical music and began writing pop songs on the piano in high school. "Flicker" has garnered over a million Spotify streams to date, but Lxandra does not plan to rest on her laurels. The songstress is already working on her debut LP, set for release in 2020. Lxandra is reaching for the stars, and already has the moon in her grasp.
In celebration of the dazzling new video, Ones To Watch sat down with Lxandra to talk about her journey.
OTW: How did you discover your passion for singing/songwriting?
Lxandra: I went to a music high school and realized singing and writing pop music was more my thing than playing classical piano. I've always loved storytelling and creating in general and when I found singing and songwriting it felt like such a natural way for me to express myself.
OTW: Is your background in classical piano brought out or relied upon in your music?
Lxandra: Not much I'd say, I was never really passionate about it. But I did love how emotional and epic some of the pieces were, maybe that's something I've brought to the pop music I write these days.
OTW: Where do you like to go to write music and what helps you get the creativity flowing?
Lxandra: Anywhere really. But it's of course it's easiest in a studio or at home where I have access to a piano or guitar. And I love to write while moving! On trains, buses, when biking, running, walking, flying etc!
OTW: Your song “Swimming Pools” and accompanying video deals with the process of growing up and creating or chasing your own future. If you could travel back in time, what would you tell your younger self about the future and growing up?
Lxandra: I'd tell my younger self that everything will work out exactly the way it should. To remember to really enjoy the ride, the little things in life that make you happy. Money will always be a problem but it doesn't bring happiness so don't stress about it, it's not worth it. And don't put too much pressure on yourself, you are great just the way you are.
OTW: Your debut album is in the making! If you had to describe the new record in five words, what would they be?
Lxandra: It won't come out just yet, but probably during the first half of next year! It's a bunch of melanjolly ballads and bops about heartbreak, depression, healing and hope after it all. Sorry, that's more than five hehe!
OTW: What color would you assign to the new album, and why?
Lxandra: Lilac/purple. The colors red and blue mixed. Passion & sadness.
OTW: Which artist or artists would you do anything to collaborate with?
Lxandra: Frank Ocean, Stevie Nicks, Rosalàa, James Blake, Moses Sumney, Lana Del Rey and many more…
OTW: Who are your Ones To Watch? (which artists are you listening to and excited about right now?)
Lxandra: Lizzo, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish, Ames, Rosalia, Clairo, Sampha, Moses Sumney and many more… There's so much beautiful music out there!