You have a great new single entitled Window Shopping, please share more about the music and the contagious positive vibe of this song.
Glad you like it! “Window Shopping” marks a new direction for me. It’s not only the first happy song I’ve ever released, but also the most indie-pop leaning of everything I’ve released so far. It’s inspired by a transition period in my life when I was shifting out of a really negative cycle of thinking into a more positive one. I wrote it from the perspective of a song about another person, but I don’t think it matters whether that change in perspective comes from an external factor or from within; what’s important is the positive change.
Love the video! How did the concept come about?
My creative director, Stephanie Haller, and I are both big fans of simple one-take videos. We were inspired by a few videos of our favorite artists recently and decided it would a be a fitting way to visually represent “Window Shopping.” Since the song is a nostalgic, retro/motown throwback, we knew we wanted to incorporate vintage aesthetic and, of course, capture some real life window shopping. I’m also really into dance and movement, so we knew we wanted to include some choreography in the video. With that, we brought on an amazing videographer, choreographer, and actor and the rest was created on location the day of the shoot. We showed up that morning with nothing but a loose concept, and then came up with everything else as we went along. I’m still so impressed with how my team pulled it all together!
Tell us more about your commitment to wellness and mental health through your music?
A couple years ago I started taking self-care more seriously. I worked my way through The Artist’s Way and realized that I was actually in a pretty bad place mentally. I was feeling frustrated and irritated with my daily life and didn’t know why or what to do about it. So I got clear on my goals and changed some of my habits. I started journaling every day and meditating as much as possible. I began thinking more about the way I was thinking, so that I could stop being so negative and anxious all the time. Throughout that process I was also writing new music, which inevitably was about that whole journey through mental health that I was on. I actually think that my songwriting has helped me gain clarity on where I am emotionally and mentally and how far I’ve come.
What has been your favorite part of 2019?
2019 has been a year of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. From showing more vulnerability as an artist to printing my first batch of merchandise (something that is totally overwhelming to me). My favorite part has been learning to land on my own two feet each time I do something that seems scary or risky. I’ve learned to trust my instinct more this year.
You have such a busy schedule, what do you like to do when you get free time?
What is this free time you speak of? Juggling my duel careers as a music lawyer and an indie musician take up most of my time and the rest of it is usually spent with the people close to me. I do love yoga, and try to keep a regular practice. I like to see music and theatre as much as possible. I also love good TV, but I only ever have time to watch one show at a time. Right now I’m watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Feminism + comedy + vintage clothing; I’m sold.
Big plans for 2020?
Yes! I plan on releasing a lot of new music and content next year. I also want to continue to build a sense of community. I’ve been playing a lot in the wellness space lately–at self-care pop-up events and retreats–and I’m looking forward to growing those connections more.
If you could change one thing about the current music industry, what would you change and why?
I’d want to make it more personal and performance-based again. It used to be that an industry pro would go out to see live music if they wanted to find and recruit talent. Now it’s all about social media presence and stream counts; A&R’s don’t even necessarily go see an artist perform live before making up there mind about them anymore. Gone are the days when just having a killer live show could break an artist, which is very sad to me as an artist that is passionate about performing live.
Where can we find you on social Media?
URL: lexitodd.com/
SPOTIFY: open.spotify.com/artist/4nUU2Fz1Pmt2SaXVE4prUu?si=NPbX3NPWSZCXTe6ybrIBTA
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/lexitoddmusic/
YOU TUBEwww.youtube.com/channel/UCq9pS-8bEgkKp8aGvgT-M-g
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/lexitoddmusic/
TWITTER: twitter.com/lexitoddmusic
End of Interview