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Exclusive Interview With Swedish Independent Artist, Singer & Songwriter Alex Alexander
Hello Alex, welcome to HONK Magazine! Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, First of all thank you so much for the feature! I am Alex Alexander a Swedish artist with 26 singles out and now my brand new EP Helpless. I’m from a small village in the south of Sweden. I started with music at 12 years old playing guitar and at 19 years old I toured for 2 years in Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, China). And the last couple of years I have been traveling a lot working in studios as a songwriter and producer around the world.
How is the music scene in Sweden different than the US? What made you move to LA?
The Swedish music scene is really cool. There are so many talented singers, instrumentalists and producers in Sweden and it’s overall very easy to work with people. I really like the LA market because of the work ethic. People are working 24/7 and the hustle is really on another level. My move to LA has been planned for the past 2 years, but as any European may know its really tough to get a valid Visa for the United States. I got really lucky this year since my Artist Visa got approved right before the pandemic, So now I am just waiting until things get better so I can go back.
You have just dropped an outstanding EP Helpless – what did inspire you to create it?
Yes, I am so proud and happy about this EP. The inspiration comes from my life you know so we never had any preset subject to write about. Me and Johan just went in and wrote about what we felt at that moment.
Helpless is your debut EP, but you released a bunch of projects before that. Why did you wait so long with publishing a collection?
Yes, as you may know, the release schedule is so different nowadays and it’s very focused on singles. Especially if you’re an indie artist like me and you’re building up your career and fan base! We wanted to make sure that my first bigger project was really thought through in terms of sound, style and the look of the artwork. I could have squeezed even more songs but it just felt like this Tracklist was perfect and it came together very organically.
Johan Randén produced and wrote the whole EP with you, how did the work look like? How was your chemistry during creating Helpless?
First of all, Johan is one of the most talented musicians, producers I ever worked with! His talents really are mind-blowing on the guitar! Me and Johan have a very organized and structured way of doing songs now, I think that’s what happens after your 40th song haha! We wrote and produced all these separate EP songs in literally 1-2 days from nothing to full production with vocals. I’m not gonna lie there was quite a lot of red wine involved :). But at this moment we almost always come out with a full song after our 1-day sessions.
What’s your favorite track on Helpless? Why?
I really like “Helpless” & “Lyin’ Eyes” because they blend in a lot of the Latin flavor that I am a very big fan of! I pretty much grew up playing Santana songs and a lot of flamenco, Spanish guitar so I think these influences are deeply rooted in me!
Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming projects? Are you planning any collaborations, or maybe releasing music videos?
At this moment we are looking to push this EP to its full potential over the summer! I might do a music video for either “Helpless” or “Lyin’ Eyes” under the summer. I have a couple of singles that are ready as follow up singles. I was thinking of different features that we are already trying to lock in but we are also thinking of saving a lot of songs to work towards an album by early next year!
Anything you would like to add?
I would just like to personally thank all my fans for the support and kind comments about the EP! I also want to encourage all of you out there to stay positive and keep working forward. I know these are some very hard times, but together as a world, we can get through it!
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François Marius and Bérénice creates a tender acoustic pop confession with “Billie Jean”
François Marius’ latest release, “Billie Jean (Acoustic Version),” cuts to the quick and lets raw emotion take over. What you get, ultimately, is a personal pop experience that feels closer to a secret than to either a spoken-word show or a performance. The initial soft strum of an acoustic guitar creates a mood that is soft, sweet, and quietly interesting. It’s a full-throated, backbones-out piece, and every note is screaming its potential. It’s simple but riveting, and it proves that sometimes less is more.
François Marius and Bérénice’s voices sound right together, their voicings intermingle so naturally that they seem accidental or spontaneous, harmonies that emerge from nowhere. The way they speak to one another is very, I mean, they really love each other. That even makes the track seem like a conversation about feelings.
The two artists are clearly close. Romance and Eros are not just ideas, and they inhabit every note that lingers and every minuscule shift in tonality. The harmonies soar effortlessly over the acoustic foundation, a blend of sweetness and strength. It’s a sign of strength and also of a willingness to be hurt.
“Billie Jean (Acoustic Version)” is stripped of any fancy production or theatrical effects, it wins you over with its frankness and forthrightness. Sandy François Marius’s impersonation is fresh and real, endowed with depth and softness thanks to Bérénice’s presence, which definitely makes everything more perfect. This acoustic performance serves as a stark reminder of the elements that do connect people: the singer, his guitar, and a story from the heart.
Connect with François Marius on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube || Twitter || Soundcloud
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RoHaNa and Morpheus von Dobenhausen paint love in shadows and light “WHEN A BOY LOVES A WOMEN”
RoHaNa feat. Morpheus von Dobenhausen, in this new release, “When a Boy Loves a Woman,” This track, recorded in winter, has a hint of gothic style that blends emotional restraint with atmospheric elegance. The track is all about RoHaNa’s emotional singing, which fits perfectly with the carefully crafted production. Her voice shows desire, weakness, and dedication without being too loud, letting each note ring out. The result is a sound that affects people on a personal and universal level. There is a sense of innocence that permeates, capturing the delicate nature of love in its purest form.
Morpheus von Dobenhausen is a guest singer who deepens the track’s emotional journey. Their voices work together to make a conversation of feelings that is both clear and mysterious. The song doesn’t go too fast, so the listener can feel the mood and atmosphere as they go through its subtle changes.
“When a Boy Loves a Woman” is unique because it strikes the perfect balance between modern pop and gothic restraint. The result is a soundscape that is both creepy and easy to listen to. It is a moving story about love and devotion, told with grace and quiet strength.
With this first release, RoHaNa confidently joins the scene, thanks to XanadumusiX’s never-ending creative drive, even when things get hard in the winter. This release not only introduces a new artist with significant potential but also showcases a bold artistic direction in which emotion, atmosphere, and story come together to make a lasting impression.
Connect with Morpheus von Dobenhausen on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube || Tiktok
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