Alex L.Estrange Nothing To Hide Interview

 

Alex L'Estrange Nothing To Hide Interview

Exceptional young songwriter, producer & multi-instrumentalist Alex L'Estrange has today announced his new single Nothing To Hide, a gritty mystery of a track lifted from his debut EP, Auchenflower, both set for release on December 16. Following several vibrant singles which have gained the attention from a bunch of large tastemaker blogs including DIY (UK) and Hilly Dilly (US), L'Estrange's debut EP Auchenflower is a clear, confident collection of songs, named for the sleepy Brisbane suburb in which they were written. L'Estrange has just finished traveling around the country supporting Holy Holy on their Darwinism national tour and will launch his EP with a hometown show at Black Bear Lodge's Last Party Before Lockout on January 28.

Nothing To Hide is hazy, evoking a nebulous feeling of early Tame Impala, or even The Beatles of Revolver times. L'Estrange's voice sits defiantly atop an intoxicating, guitar-driven instrumental that pulls towards the magnetic, soaring chorus. L'Estrange reflects on the track, 'It was written on one of those strange days that felt more like a dream. I'd been working away at this tune, I knew it had something about it that I'd never felt before, but I didn't find out about what that really meant until later that night. That evening, a stranger visited me at the house I was living at in Auchenflower. I ended up going back to her mansion that she lived at alone. She divulged her life story. When I finally got back home, the song made sense. It was for her."

The video for Nothing To Hide is a delicate gem, framing the track with finesse. Directed by Corey Donaldson (Cloudfall), the clip depicts a young woman living in a lifeless world, inhabited by mannequins. Eventually conforming, she transforms into a mannequin herself, leaving the audience to wonder whether she can maintain a sense of individuality in a world where everyone looks the same. Of the clip, L'Estrange says, 'It's clear that deep within her mind there is an original voice struggling to get out, she's questioning her environment, and trying to understand why she feels so disconnected…(Lead actor) Cecilia Griffiths' incredible expression really created the atmosphere of the clip and brought an air of mystery to the role. She has an innocence that is both charming and devastating."

L'Estrange has arrived at a conclusive new juncture with the upcoming release of his debut EP, Auchenflower. The thoughtful collection of songs is natural, personal; the result of years of practice, years of listening, writing, and learning. Lurching guitars thread themselves around towering choruses, while quieter moments are buoyed by oblique acoustic arrangements and introspective lyricism. For the most part, Auchenflower was self-produced, however Australian music industry veterans Matt Redlich (Holy Holy, Ball Park Music, Ainslie Wills) and Andy Aubin (MTNS) both played a part in the production of the stunning debut. Reflecting on the ideas explored on Auchenflower, L'Estrange says, 'Each song tackles a different thing. Some of the themes are focused inwards and concern feelings of fleeting love. Some of them concern others around me, like troubled relationships or exciting, enigmatic people. I'm often more interested in the listener's interpretation of a song - A song like Nothing to Hide evokes a whole range of different moods and atmospheres within different people."

L'Estrange has been on the road with Holy Holy on their Darwinism national tour this month, wrapping up at The Triffid in Brisbane on the weekend. Excited to be on the road playing live, L'Estrange enthuses, 'Playing live has shed a whole new light onto the songs. I'm lucky enough to have some of my best friends (and some of the best musicians), play on stage with me. My line up at the moment usually consists of Sam Cromack and Dean Hanson (Ball Park Music) on guitar and bass, and Zac Moynihan (Mid Ayr) on drums. We try and recreate the feeling and atmospheres of the songs in a live setting without just replicating the recordings. We change stuff up and play off the crowd. Each show is different and unique."

 

Stream single: NOTHING TO HIDE       
Watch the video: NOTHING TO HIDE   
Stream EP: AUCHENFLOWER

 

Sat Jan 28 | -Last Party Before Lock Out' Black Bear Lodge, Bris | 18+ | TICKETS 

 

FACEBOOK                           

SOUNDCLOUD                                      
TWITTER                                 
INSTAGRAM                              
YOUTUBE      

 

Interview with Alex L'Estrange

Question: How would you describe your music?

Alex L'Estrange: Kind of like shoegaze, brit-pop, indie, with notes of electronic music. That's a hard question!


Question: What inspired the single, Nothing To Hide?

Alex L'Estrange: It was written on one of those strange days that felt more like a dream.

That evening a stranger visited me at the house I was living at in Auchenflower. I ended up going back to her mansion that she lived at alone. She divulged her life story. When I finally got back home, the song actually made sense. It was for her.


Question: What was it like filming the video for Nothing To Hide?

Alex L'Estrange: It was awesome working with Corey Donaldson. The whole thing was shot in about 12 hours. I was also really busy recording that day, but every time I'd go back to the set, Corey had some incredible new shots to show me. It was great to see it unfold like that.


Question: Can you tell us about Auchenflower?

Alex L'Estrange: The EP is a collection of songs that I wrote and recorded during my time living in Auchenflower, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane.

Each song tackles a different thing. Some of the themes are focussed inwards and concern feelings of fleeting love. Some of them concern others around me, like troubled relationships or exciting, enigmatic people.


Question: What should we expect from the upcoming shows?

Alex L'Estrange: A really nice time, and some new songs hopefully! Out next show is in Jan, at Black Bear Lodge on the 28th.


Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

Alex L'Estrange: It still doesn't feel like it's me.

Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Alex L'Estrange: I think it's the Wild West. But I like that about it.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Alex L'Estrange: At the moment mostly just jazz – a lot of Coltrane, Monk, Colman etc.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Alex L'Estrange: I'm hoping to get over to England for a trip next year in March. And aside from playing my own show in Jan I'm focusing on getting another bunch of material written and recorded.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Alex L'Estrange: Both have their merits. I love re-interpreting songs for a live show and seeing the audience react in real time. But the studio allows for optimum creativity.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Alex L'Estrange: Michael Jackson


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Alex L'Estrange: Kanye West


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Alex L'Estrange: 1. Change the things you can change, accept the things you can't
2. Be considerate, not just kind
3. Live within your means
4. Love nature
5. Love yourself


Interview by Brooke Hunter