In Conversation With #145 - Lxandra
Lxandra has just released her stunning debut album ‘Careful What I Dream Of’ - where she brings her fantasy world to life with soft piano, ethereal vocals, and unfiltered lyrics. She took a moment to talk us.
Hey there Lxandra, how are you? So your debut album is finally here, how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
It feels very freeing. A little unreal but feels amazing. It’s my 1st album so I was quite scared but now it just feels great to have it finally out there and everyone who listens can find their own stories in the songs.
It is titled ‘Careful What I Dream Of’ - is there a meaning behind that?
Yes, ofc. It pretty much sums up what the album is about, and the story. It means many things to me, but the main thing is that we have to listen to ourselves, our intuition or we’ll start dreaming of things other ppl want from us or for us and not the things we really want ourselves. Dreams can become reality and reality a nightmare if we forget ourselves and who we really are, who we want to be.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind-the-scenes stories from the creative process that you are happy to share with us?
In many places. I started writing for the record already 4 years ago. Some songs are written and/or recorded in La, some Berlin, some Helsinki, some Stockholm. But the final production phase happened in Stockholm. And the record was mixed in London. It was a long and sometimes very hard process, also executive producing it myself wasn’t always easy. People changed around me, came and left, but some of the songs I’ve been carrying with me since the beginning. The album and the songs changed too, many many times, but in the end, I love how this record really actually represents this time in my life, the past 4 years. And I can see how I’ve grown during that time, how much I’ve learned. It was beautiful to bring this story to the studio and then finish it with ppl I felt I can finally trust and I felt understood. We wrote a few more tracks to it and there it was, completed. That was a crazy feeling when I realized it was done, after 4 years. It was all worth it.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
Love, loss, trauma, and survival. It’s also about change and growth. I think everything I’ve ever listened to influenced this in some way. Generally, music from the 70’s always inspired me, the lyrical worlds and sounds. Like Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac for example.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
Change is a beautiful thing, but never when it’s happening” from the last song on the album, Alright Now. It’s just so true and also current in these times. Change is scary but essential and we need to stay open to it no matter what.
Now the album is here, what next for you?
More music, more studio time! Especially when there still aren’t that many shows to play. Looking forward to everything to come and to just create more! Being in the studio is my favorite thing.