Photography Sam San Román / @samsanroman
From ballet to breaking ground in pop music, LEXXE is no stranger to the spotlight. Alexis Lucena, also known as LEXXE, is a multidisciplinary artist from Long Island, New York. With a background in dance and classical music, LEXXE has applied her technical training to her artistry. Her most recent release, LABYRINTH, has risen to fan favorite, earning over 100,000 streams in one week and climbing quickly towards 200,000, while becoming LEXXE’s highest streamed solo record to date.
“The song is such a liberating moment for me when I sing it, and I hope it is for other people- especially those who are spiritually connected to their inner feminine, or need some help to get there. I’m so excited for people to piece together the world I made, and this timing means so much to me since Queen Of the Night was the first song written for the record, and Labyrinth was the last. They are extremely connected, but you’ll just have to see how.”
Tell us about Queen of the Night and this new turn for your style and act.
Hey Mundane! Firstly thank you for having me <3
‘Queen Of The Night’ sonically is just a magnified anthem sized LEXXE song. It’s a song I’ve wanted to have forever. I don’t know if i’ve ever gone this big before, but if anything that’s the new turn. Larger!
How does the single fit into the LP and what’s the main storyline there?
‘Queen Of The Night’ is a moment of empowerment on the record, just as reading about tapping into your divine feminine energy and power was a turning point in my own life. On the album, a storm rolls in and through the clouds I see this red haired feminine creature who I know I’ve seen before (hint, it’s another single!) and I put together all the pieces of how I’ve been seeing different signs in the house, and eventually use that to destroy that shadow self that haunts us all. It is very fun, climactic, and everytime I listen to it I picture myself in a Sailor Moon style animation flying through the wind and being a bad ass haha!
How has your classical training helped you develop your style?
Training as a ballerina definitely gave me the discipline to put the hours into finding myself and what’s right. I was always a really musical performer, always got 10/10 in the “musicality” category ha! I think my natural rhythm mixed with this ear to sync to every melody, counter melody, rhythm, sub rhythm etc- all comes from that upbringing. I also played the French Horn for 11 years, that definitely helps with writing and singing in key!
What is your music supposed to say ultimately?
I’m always exploring myself and where I am at the moment and using these fantastical visions and lore to craft together a world I feel safe healing in. I hope my music can be that place for everyone who comes to find it.
Who inspires your lyricism and storytelling?
I grew up loving poetry and Edgar Allan Poe. There’s an EAP reference on the record actually. But when it comes to storytelling, I think the first time I saw the lyrics play out as a movie in my head was listening to Stevie Nicks. She brings you to what she’s looking at in her mind, and isn’t afraid to not over explain. Her, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, VÉRITÉ, Freddie Mercury, all really good storytelling and lyric inspirations for me !
Your inner feminine side is a big theme for you. How does one channel it properly in your view?
I think by owning the parts of you that you have shied away from, for me it was talking about when I’m in pain. I think by speaking up for myself I started to heal the negative things I felt about myself like being too much, not enough, not valid. I think this goes alongside acknowledging your inner masculine traits too. Becoming close to your ancestors, any elder near you as a woman that you feel close to, that was also a huge part of it for me. So many learned behaviors, traits, traumas and fears are passed down, I’m trying to heal myself and my lineage collectively.
What’s your favorite part of NYC and its lifestyle?
Everyday can be anything ! I can hang out with my cat in the comfort of my home, or hop on the train and go to Cocktail Magique (a jazz night) on troutman street on a Sunday, hear top of the line jazz musicians and wear a gown.
Worst part?
Cat callers and traffic. Also- being in nightlife and music, I am surrounded by alcohol and parties. I’ve done a lot of work to be able to recognize what is work and what is play. They are called spirits for a reason and I do NOT like being caught vulnerable in public at all these events honey!!!
Who do you think has been an influential figure or mentor for you so far?
My mom always, she has been such a martyr for my dreams since I was little.
But also right now, my home consists of me, my girlfriend, her sister, their childhood best friend, and my brother. I come home and show them my art because I care about making sure I’m represented the way they know I can be. We call our house “the healing house” haha – because we are all learning new things about ourselves and in therapy etc. Watching them all go through so much this year with grace has been really inspiring, and the encouragement I’ve had to dive deeper into learning myself from them has been monumental. Imagine coming home and saying “Hey guys can I have a python in the basement next friday from 11:00-2:00, i’m doing a shoot with hair that is my clothes and cat contacts because I want to represent my favorite goddesses..” and being met with joy and enthusiasm ??? Priceless.
What’s coming next for you?
I want to be on as many stages as possible this year so I can share my world with as many people that need it I alsoI want to live in this album world for a while, it’s like the foundation of an endless amount of branches to grow from this original root. It’s very exciting. I have actually already started the next EP… and the next one is conceptualized. There’s an instagram/youtube series launching this fall, and a surprise collaboration I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE Expect a whole lot of LEXXE.
