Alexa Cappelli Chats EP "Confused @ 22" and the Future of Her Music
Photo Courtesy of Adam Quinn
I had the pleasure of talking with pop singer, Alexa Cappelli some short time ago. It was shortly after her second EP release, Confused @ 22. Since we talked, she has signed to record label Artista. She is on the label with other well-known artists like Carolesdaughter, JP Saxe, Maneskin, and Princess Nokia. From dealing with complicated feelings about love or growing up, or how we experience “Imposter Syndrome,” there is a piece of something for everyone within Confused @ 22.
Before her EP dropped, she had the song “Say Something” gain viral success on TikTok. It has over three million streams on Spotify to date. We had the chance to chat about what it was like experiencing that kind of success with a song, and what it was like releasing a record following the immense success. Her first song released since signing with Artista was, “Could’ve Just Left Me Alone,” which has already received over one million streams! Here is what she had to say on the progression of her artistry:
Backward Noise: Hey! If you could just introduce yourself and give a little bit of your musical background, that would be great.
Alexa Cappelli: I am a pop artist from Southern California. I got my start in music by taking voice lessons from a worship leader at my church growing up. Once I fell in love with singing and music, I started doing musical theater and that helped me come out of my shell. I was shy as a kid, even though my parents would disagree with that! I was a chatterbox at home. I started doing performances around my area. I won a voice competition when I was twelve in all-age groups, and thought “maybe I actually can do this?” I went to an arts high school, so I learned about songwriting and how to play some instruments. I learned how to tell my own stories through music and singing covers to bring songs to life. In my senior year I was on a reality tv singing competition, I learned a lot from that, and it was a lot of fun. Going into the competition I would describe myself more as a singer, coming out of it I would say I was more sure of who I was as an artist. I wanted to use my voice to stand for things, and love people. It has been fun to figure out my sound, gaining a niche audience who likes the music I’m making, and having a blast!
BN: That’s so cool! I want to talk to you about Confused @ 22, I loved it! How was it making that and how did it feel after it has been released?
AC: I was so ecstatic! I am so proud of the project. Thank you for the compliment. I really appreciate that. I think because it’s been such a lengthy process, like the track list took some time, but I have had a title for the project for a while. As far as what songs were gonna go on it, the list was ever-changing. I was writing more with new people, and I was making music that I really liked. I had more songs that I thought fit this theme of confusion, indecision, and wishful thinking as a young adult. So up until like the last two months of getting everything mastered, it was all up in the air as far as what the songs were. The turning point song on the project was the second single that I released called “Whiplash.” I released a song called “Say Something” last May then I released “Whiplash” in November. I had another song I was going to put out, and I did a teaser on my TikTok and five minutes later I took it down because I was like “No this isn’t it, it doesn’t feel right” and I’m grateful that I changed my mind and went with a different song. I felt like it can support the theme of the overall project better. I’m just really happy with everything, the timeline and how it all worked out. I think once we sent it in it was like “Oh wow, it’s really done!” and now the challenge is just getting people to hear it. The grind never stops! I’m proud of it and I’m glad that people have been able to resonate with it.
BN: Yes, I know me and so many others can relate to the songs you have written. I like that you brought up the whole theme of indecisiveness and uncertainty because that was definitely something listening to it that I got. Especially in “Imposter Syndrome” that idea was clearly present. What lets you know that you are doing the right thing, that you are on the right path and direction?
AC: I really do believe that the people that are in my life and in my corner are so designed to be in my life. I’m just so grateful for the people that I have around me. If I forget what I’m supposed to be doing, or I forget who I am, they’re there to remind me every day. I’m a Jesus freak so I love bringing him into my life every day. I want to give Him the glory and I want to give Him the honor because I’m a broken human. I think with these songs specifically, I’ve never been this honest in my life with music I have put out. I know that I am loved and accepted with all my junk and all the stuff that I’ve gone through. These songs when you look at the lyrics, they’re kind of sad, like low-key depressing, you know? But then they sound fun and exciting. I want to get up and dance to this! I really love that duality of the reality of we all have problems but let’s still dance around the kitchen like idiots! Have fun with it because that’s what makes us human and that’s a beautiful thing. In “Imposter Syndrome” specifically, I’ve gone so much of my life being alone in the background. I worried so much about how I was perceived by others. I want to be able to just be confident in the music I make just because I like it. Because my inner circle likes it and they’re going to cheer me on. I think because I have found those people and because I do feel so strongly in the path that I’ve been put on; I am okay with my imposter syndrome because it doesn’t define me.
BN: That’s really awesome that you have the people in your life that support you and help you realize you are on the right path. With the people that are in your life or just people that you’ve met along the way, what is some of the best advice that you’ve gotten from someone else? Maybe about releasing music or just in general?
AC: I feel like a lot of time the best advice I’ve ever heard has been advice I get when I have needed it the most. I remember when I was about to release a song after “Say Something,” my gut was telling me to do another song from the one I was planning to release. I believe that I have good discernment and good ideas. Everyone in my corner was saying to release the original song I had already prepared, since I worked so hard for that song to not put it out! Someone at the time had said, “You’re the artist and you get the final say. You need to trust your gut; you know what is best for your artistry and for your fans because you know them better than anyone else.” I just felt like that was such a good piece of advice that I really needed at that time. It gave me that boost of confidence that I could trust myself in the situation and I wanted to do what’s best for me. I felt more comfortable with the song that I resonated with and I thought that authenticity was gonna shine through a little more if I was honest and trusted in myself.
BN: That’s the most important thing, you do have the final say. You are the artist, so the last decision is yours. Right now who are your favorite artists you look to for inspiration? Who are you listening to in general?
AC: I grew up on Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and other powerhouse vocalists. Very uplifting and positive pop artists like Andy Grammar. I was obsessed with him as a kid, and still am. That’s what I feel like is at my core, just the positive and powerhouse vocalists. For my artistry and writing, Julia Michaels. The first album that resonated with me was Maggie Rogers’ Heard It In A Past Life, I love that album so much. I’ve been listening to The Band Camino lately. They can write a CHORUS!
BN: I love hearing what people are listening to, and what inspires them. I feel you can always hear the influences in their music, and it’s just a neat way to get to know who someone is. Earlier you had said that some of your music can have sad lyrics but a happy beat. Sometimes the happiest sounding songs have the most heart-breaking lyrics. It’s important to have these songs because while you’re relating to the sad words, you have an uplifting beat that reassures you that you are not alone.
AC: Yeah, that was my goal. I wanted to make songs that you could relate to in a vulnerable, and authentic way. Sometimes in an uncomfortable way, but in a way that made you want to do something about it. Songs that make you wanna get up and change it.
BN: Absolutely. “The Fence” is one of my favorites off the EP, it felt like the perfect way to end it all. What does that song in particular mean to you?
AC: Oh, I love that you said that. That one is so near and dear to my heart. I think it’s kinda funny to go back to this theme of indecision, it took me three tries to write that song. I think a lot of my life I’ve been a people pleaser, still consider myself to be one, and because of that I have let it stop me from doing so many things. Also, because I’m afraid of getting hurt. Like in “Whiplash” I say, “When I care, people leave and that’s just scary. Is it necessary?” In “The Fence”, I talked about how I know the heartbreak that comes with not taking chances and seeing everybody else going for these things. Maybe they fail, but learn something from it and grow from it. I’m still at the starting line, and not sure what’s the pace I should take or how long will this take? Everything that runs through a skeptic’s mind before taking a leap of faith. I really wanted to be as honest as possible because I don’t think that you can grow or get anywhere if you can’t admit where you are. That song was a turning point for me in my life too. I didn’t want to keep being this way, I know that I’m a skeptic. It takes me a long time to take on a challenge, but I don’t want to anymore. It’s funny with this song, I reference “Say Something” in the second verse. I say “Thinking all I’m good for is keeping the peace, I don’t say anything. I’m a hypocrite, have you noticed?” If you play the EP over again, the first song is “Say Something” where I’m asking the person I’m talking with to just say something if they like me. It’s kind of an excuse.
BN: So many people will relate to that! Especially in your early twenties, if you have found yourself being a little more reserved, you might wonder what have I missed by not taking more chances? I know I have added some of your songs to my playlists, so I can’t wait to share it with more people. Speaking of sharing music with others, what song are you most excited to play live?
AC: I still haven’t done “The Fence” live yet. I’ve played every other song on the EP live, but I haven’t done “The Fence”. Once I do another show, I think it would create a sweet moment with my audience, just to all cry for a moment. “Body Language” is a fun one, so is “Whiplash.” “Say Something” is always a really awesome closer because I have a call and response moment with it. I love performing so going into the audience is fun, just having a party!
BN: “The Fence” will be an awesome heartfelt moment in the show for you and the audience to connect. “Say Something” sounds like such an awesome closer! It’s so upbeat and will leave the audience in such a good mood. With that being said, “Say Something” has done so well! How was it to have that song blow up the way that it did?
AC: Surreal! It was weird. You always hear about songs that blow up overnight, but you just don’t think it’ll happen to you. So, when it did happen, I just felt like “Is this real? Is this really happening?” This song did well, and I am so thankful for the hype that it got and continues to get. I felt like I was on the edge of a rollercoaster and that moment you’re about to drop. To be transparent, with all the hype it got and the gratitude I felt with how well that song did, it is so nerve wracking to release a song after that. You wonder if the next will do as good? Is it going to flop in comparison? I’m so grateful and it’s just a mind game of not letting it get me nervous for next releases. I just want to feel gratitude for it, and excitement for the next project. They’re each their own thing. That’s the challenge of living life at this age. Not letting your one success define you, because there’s so many aspects to us as humans. It’s not just what you see on social media or what you see in these songs, there’s so much more. I hope that kind of hype happens for every artist, that everyone gets to experience that for what they’ve worked hard for. I want that for every song I put out. I think there’s enough room for that to happen for everyone.
We ended our conversation with her saying that she was “Looking forward to making more and more music, and just remaining grateful.” Alexa Cappelli is a name to watch out for, and her music is something you have already heard.