Who’s Up Next? - Alexi 8bit

Wit sit down with this lovely Austin-based songstress to discuss her new single, upcoming projects and her favorite aspects of creating.

Joho: Thank you for joining us, Alexi. Start by telling us who is Alexi 8bit and describe the journey of how you became a musician.

Alexi: Alexi 8bit is a solo project that revolves around my growth in song production and audio engineering. In these songs, I express raw, unfiltered emotions that I believe all humans feel at some point through their life’s journey. I find there is strength and empowerment through vulnerability. Sometimes, people do not fully express themselves out of fear of overwhelming others with the sheer intensity of their emotions; so they either keep those feelings to themselves or shame themselves for even experiencing that feeling. Emotions are actually a powerful roadmap to the self and should never be shamed. I fully embrace this idea and write about my own experiences in hopes that others connect to it.. My ultimate goal is to help people to feel understood and unalone. 

I’ve been singing and songwriting since I was very little. I also moved countries a couple of times as a kid, which fueled my need to express myself in a written, recorded manner. In a way, it helped me make chronological sense of my life. My dad played (and still does play) classical piano, so there was always a piano or keyboard in the house to experiment with. I eventually taught myself how to play the piano, and then in high school taught myself how to play the guitar and ukulele. I published an EP entitled “Luna” when I turned 17, which is now unavailable on the internet because I recently removed it from streaming services. It was under my actual name, Alexi Hill. Then, in college, I taught myself how to play the bass. That’s when I formed the band Midnight Archives, an indie rock duo that lasted for about three years. After Midnight Archives’ dissolution, I put together the jazz-rock band Beach Blossom, which is now in its third and final year of music production and performance.

In 2022, I found myself fascinated with audio engineering and felt the strong urge to ‘seize the means of production’ myself. That’s when I first delved into the specifics of music production and began to experiment with the field on my own. I released my first Alexi 8bit single, “Original Communication” in August 2022, which I recorded and produced on my own, but had another person mix and master for me. This is the routine I have mostly maintained until now. “Again,” the first track I will have single-handedly produced, mixed, and mastered will be out on Friday, June 30th!

Joho: You’re a multi-instrumentalist who produces all of your own songs. We don’t see women producers get their flowers nearly often enough. How important to you is your role as a producer?

Alexi: This is very true! My role as a producer is integral to who I am both personally and professionally. It’s how I am able to effectively transcribe what I envision and hear in my head into something tangible. 

I also feel very passionately about independent musicians learning the production process and building out songs on their own. It allows you to create just as freely as sketching with a pen on paper, for example.

Joho: What does your creative process look like? Do you start with lyrics or does a melody come to you first? What takes longer: finding the right words or fine tuning details in the production?

Alexi: My creative process begins differently almost every time, but is always built around the central message I want to communicate. It can start with a hook, lyrics, a beat I put together on Logic Pro, a melody stuck in my head that I attempted to convey in a voice message at 2 AM - whichever idea is the strongest or loudest. I journal very frequently, too. I write out everything floating around in my head to then reach a calm, meditative state that eventually begets something beautiful, creative, and true.

Fine-tuning the details in production often takes longer for me. I will listen to a song over and over again in its final stages of production to ensure that it is exactly how I want; that there are no itches my brain wants to scratch.

Joho: On June 30th you will release “Again.” What is the inspiration behind this single?

Alexi: “Again” is a song that celebrates platonic love and all forms of authentic connection!

I first created the melody for “Again” on my Opa’s piano while visiting him in Stuttgart, Germany last summer. The instrumental felt very powerful and I couldn’t wait to produce the full song back in the United States, but I had no lyrics to accompany it at the time. I decided to let the song simmer until I felt struck by inspiration. A few months later, while hanging out with some of my best friends, I noticed that I was laughing and radiating pure joy for virtually the entire time. I thought to myself, “This is it! This is the feeling I want to convey.”

Joho: Your most recent release is the “Dressed In Blue” EP. My friend Marina & I listened to it the night we met you and I was instantly hooked. What can you tell us about this project?

Alexi: What a wonderful chance meeting that was! It was also the same day I released Dressed in Blue.

I wrote the EP’s title track, “Dressed in Blue,” about a romantic rejection that I underwent some summers ago. I recall coming home and immediately creating the chord progression on my keyboard. Something about the descending melody line felt parallel to the heartache it was. I decided to create the EP as an audible time-capsule of this period in my life. That’s what music recordings are, to me: snapshots of time.

I wrote the first track (“I’ve Had It!”) about quitting my full-time job and figuring out that I desire a non-traditional working life filled with creativity and autonomy. I found this song to be a good introduction to the EP because it begins a little sassy, reveals itself as displeased, and ends in a tone of hope. The second song (“Sunshine Honey”) is about my sweet little dog Gizmo. “Feeling Seen” combines a few musings of mine: the idea that love is about vulnerability and being seen; and that people ultimately wish to be understood this way. The song also encapsulates how I want my music to help people identify their feelings, put words to them, feel through them, and understand they are not alone. “Ghost,” the final track of the EP, is about the way depression can rear its ugly head and makes itself known throughout facets of one’s life.

Joho: One of my favorite things I see from you are your covers on YouTube. What are some of your favorite songs to cover, and how have the artists behind these songs inspired you?

Alexi: My go-to covers are that of Amy Winehouse. Growing up, she inspired me lyrically, vocally, creatively - all of it! I was enamored by the richness of her voice and the rawness of her lyrics. I also really admired the depth of her vocal range. I often like to cover songs from Amy’s first album, Frank.

Joho: Your first single “Original Communication” gets tons of replay in my house. It’s one of my favorites. How did this song come together?

Alexi: Aw, thank you so much! “Original Communication” might be the first true indie pop tune I ever created. I began with the bassline and then built the sparkly instrumentation and layered vocals around it! 

I chose to release this song as my first Alexi 8bit track because it showcased (and established) a poppy yet bass-drivent side of my music.

Joho: What can you tell us about the full 8bit band that’s been joining you at some of your recent performances?

Alexi: My 8bit band has three members: Nathan Puckett on bass guitar, Jarrett Wenzel on drums, and myself on keys and vocals. I feel very lucky to have these guys playing with me onstage. They’re amazing musicians. I love my 8bit band!

Joho: We got the chance to collaborate on a few songs from my recent project. How do you feel about collaborations in music? Are you more focused on your own projects and wanting to execute your vision, or do you enjoy blending and meshing ideas with other creatives?

Alexi: That’s right! Our collaboration was super fun. I love working with other creatives on music and arts-related projects. Because of the immense energy I pour into each project, however, I am a bit selective with the additional projects I undertake. I would say my main focus is releasing and performing music under Alexi 8bit.

Joho: On stage you can be seen behind the microphone, at the keys, on the bass… There seems to be no limits to what we might get from Alexi 8bit. Do you have a favorite instrument to play live?

Alexi: You are too kind! That made me giggle. My favorite instrument to play live is… my voice! I feel more connected to my voice when I’m not playing an instrument to accompany it. After that, my favorite instrument to play is the keyboard. 

Joho: What’s next for Alexi 8bit? Any upcoming shows or releases we should be looking out for?

Alexi: Yes! “Again” will come out on Friday, June 30th, and then the music video will be released the next day. The release show (presented by HappenTwice) will also be on Friday, June 30th at the Ballroom in Austin, TX! My full ‘8bit band’ will share the stage with the gorgeous acts of Painterly and Modern Sophia.

I am also currently working on my second EP, which will be out later this year!

Joho: Can we find your music on all streaming platforms? Where else can we stay updated on news about Alexi 8bit?

Alexi: Yes, my music is available on all streaming platforms! 

The best place to stay up-to-date with my bullsh*t is on social media, namely my instagram. Give me a follow @alexi8bit

I often post about my experiences as a full-time female musician in Austin, TX.