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Calgary AB, Canada
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"It's very different." Says Alexa Borden, who released her sparkling debut album (Speck in the Universe) back in 2010. "Speck was spell-bound, magical, and cute... and that was who I was back then, which is perfectly fine, but I've grown up a little. Cherry Bomb Tree is a testament to that." SITU was filled with siren song, broken hearts and mystical creatures. It was often praised as "Haunting", "Poignant" and "Romantic". "I was rather young when I made that album. I started writing when I was 13 and so I didn't really know that much back then. Or at least I thought I did. I was so inexperienced and naive." The 17 year-old front woman recalls her fondest memories in her debut album, but also many heartbreaks. "Most of the cheery tunes were written in my old 'stage name', "The Divine Good".
"Many people have asked me if I'm sad all of the time. and I'm like, no- I just find it easier to write when I'm
sad. It doesn't necessarily mean I'm a depressed person." In fact, Alexa is one of the most delightful and
positive people you could meet. "I like to look at the bright side of situations. I hate when people fight or when people are unhappy." Borden says one her most popular songs, "Yours Dearly, Yours True" (which was featured on WhoTune radio) was inspired by the unhappiness of a loved one. "I couldn't stand to see him so down. Nothing is worse than watching someone you love crumble before your very eyes. I had to let him know somehow that he is loved very, very much."
I the summer after SITU had debuted, she was finding lyrics weren't coming as easily and naturally, and she wasn't pleased with any of the songs results. "You can write a million songs that are 'good'." She says "But they just weren't good enough. I wanted more out of my career, and I expected more from myself." The young songstress felt pressure to fit a certain mold that she had obtained from Speck, but was struggling to write album worthy songs. "I think I was trying to be that serious 14 year old who was called 'delicate' and 'ethereal' all of the time because I liked that image. It's all I've let anyone see up to this point in my career."
Months went on in a dark writers block after SITU. "I felt like there was fog in my head, and I couldn't think straight, let alone write." Alexa began to crack under the weight of her sophomore album. "I started writing really weird music that wasn't me at all. One day in the studio I stopped in the middle of a song and was like, 'What am I doing? This isn't me'. So I started writing how I really felt." And so 'Gold Rush' was born.
A sweeping lullaby, complete with bright piano, and vocals drowned in reverb, Alexa knew she had found her sound. It went on to be a highly rated and viewed song on YouTube. "It is more mature. And dark. I really just wanted to have fun. Push out of my comfort zone. The Cherry Bomb Tree is my story of growing up." The album title was chosen to represent the transformation into a woman. The song "Rule The World" on TCBT is a testament to her theory behind TCBT. The lyrics 'I could rule the world' and 'I could be explosive unexpectedly. Bursting to the sky like a cherry bomb tree' bring you into her desire to burst and bloom into a whole new girl. The heavy indie rock song possess qualities of indie pop artists such as "Florence and the Machine" and "Phildel".
"I was trying to get my hands on as much music as possible- to expand my knowledge and tastes. Mumford and Sons, Fleet Foxes and Nick Drake changed my life."Although the Cherry Bomb Tree is a walk on the dark side, it still retains some the tuneful charms as SITU. "My songs are still piano based, but with edge." bombastic drums, crystal harps and steel hard pedal guitar are some of the new-found instruments that Borden couldn't get enough of. "I'm really into loud, mighty and massive sounds. I made everything the way I wanted to make it. Who knew that steel drums and cello would work together? I didn't. and that's what I loved about putting together this album. It was exciting, new."
The album is catchy and soulful. Some of the best songs include; "I Want To Be Near To You" which brings a whole knew pop ballad style and reaches such unexpected breathless heights. "Things We Did In The Fall" and "From Where You Came" continue to map out her gentle, lyrical melodies, and "Rid of Me and "Resist His Lips" enter her new love for bouncing beats and rapid paces. With hints of sonic synth and mischevious lyrics. Of course, Alexa still remains rooted in the natural world. Finding solace in the mountains and the sea and land untouched by man. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, this gorgeous and soaring songbird is likely to be hitting the music scene hard this year.
"I'm only just getting started. I'm so young to music, there is so much to learn." Alexa wants to tour and
eventually get signed with a label. "It is so difficult to produce everything on your own. I'm not complaining though, because I love how I still have that full creativity." Borden says she just tries to live in the moment, and let whatever happens, happen. "It's going to be an exhilarating, and frightening ride full of surprises. But I'm up for it. I like a good challenge. Usually when I'm scared, I know I should plough ahead, full speed, into the unknown."
- Alexa Borden
website:
http://www.alexaborden.co.cc