Alexandra Starlight
Alexandra Starlight is an American singer, song-writer and performer. Alexandra and The Starlight Band (stylised as Alexandra & The Starlight Band) is the recording name of her current solo project in collaboration with other artists who serve as the backing band for her project.
Influences
MusicAL Style
Alexandra's music has been described as having "rock and roll roots" and a "soul influenced style" that CREATES an "uncompromising" and "modernized spin" on classic American music.
Her raspy yet soulful vocal style and emotional delivery has been compared to the "gritty intensity" of Queen of Rock 'n' Roll Tina Turner the "blues-drenched raw power" of Janis Joplin, rocker Joan Jett, and contemporaries Adele and Joss Stone. Critics have called her an "indie-soul diva" with "the swagger of a thousand men."
She is influenced by the classic American sounds of soul music, gospel, Motown, R&B and rock & roll, vocalists such as Otis Redding and Al Green, as well as contemporary British female neo-soul singers such as Amy Winehouse.
Fashion
Alexandra also combines fashion in her onstage persona, making many of her own stage clothes in collaboration with designers, and has been compared to Lady Gaga for her love of glam rock and theatrics, inspired by listening to artists such as David Bowie, Funkadelic and Queen.
Musical history
Early history
Alexandra began her musical training at the age of 5 on violin, though quit classical training to form various punk bands when she moved to Los Angeles at age 17, then going by the stage name Sasha Baby.
The Holograms
She briefly was the lead vocalist with Los Angeles based Teenacide Records' all-girl pop-punk band, The Holograms, replacing former vocalist Tammy Ahn in support of their release, "Night of 1000 Ex Boyfriends," produced by Blag Dahlia (The Dwarves) and Bradley Cook (Foo Fighters/The Ataris). At the time, their single "Are You Ready for It" had a top 10 Billboard Magazine garage rock chart hit, named one of the Coolest Garage Songs by Little Steven's Underground Garage column. She then quit the band, with Sisely Treasure stepping in as the new lead singer.
The Hollywood Harlots
She then formed The Hollywood Harlots, her spin on The New York Dolls moniker. Sonically, the project was called the "gritty spawn of The New York Dolls" blended with the "dirty girl appeal of Kim Fowley’s young swagger street chicks-The Runaways."
The Hollywood Harlots caught the attention of producer Jeff Saltzman, who also produced The Killers and The Sounds, at a raucous show at a French restaurant for Alexandra's "Iggy Pop-type" stage antics of pouring whiskey on her face, jumping onto diners' tables, eating their steaks and drinking their wine. She then recorded a demo EP with Jeff Saltzman, though never officially released it as the band quickly imploded shortly after recording it.
Current musical projects
Alexandra & The Starlight Band
Recording
Alexandra recently finished recording a debut EP at Henson Recording Studios (former A&M Records) with Grammy-winning producer Bob Cutarella (Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Michael Jackson, Slash, Madonna) engineer Paul LaMalfa (Brian Wilson, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn, Mariah Carey), Kevin Mills (Michael Bublé, Tom Morello, Céline Dion, No Doubt, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Revolver, Gwen Stefani) and collaborated with composer Lou Forestieri, who was the one time band leader of Lena Horne.
Format
She released the S/T EP on CD and a rare limited edition, collectable 7" featuring clear vinyl and rainbow glitter on June 21, 2012. The record, limited to 250 pieces, is a custom project, with each piece being made by hand.
College Radio
The EP has impacted college radio, charting as high as #2, ahead of other artists with label support, such as Yeasayer, Dirty Projectors, Buffalo Killers and Redd Kross amongst others.
Live Performance
The Starlight Band has been called a "powerhouse" band for their live performance. She has performed with bands/musicians such as [...] Dale, Semi-Precious Weapons, Kate Nash, Trixie Whitley, Intronaut, Jhené Aiko, Vanaprasta, Harriet & Black Math Horseman, at notable LA venues such as The Troubadour, Hotel Café & The Satellite.
Earlier this year, she performed at SXSW for a showcase curated by the Miles Davis family. Recently, she performed at & spoke as a panelist at CMJ 2012.
Film/TV Performance
On September 27th, 2012, She performed on the Fox News Channel program Good Day L.A. hosted by Steve Edwards and Mar Yvette in support of the release, performing the tracks "Without My Sunshine" and "T.T.M.F." on air.
Other musical projects
On July 21, 2011, Alexandra appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman with Universal Republic Records recording artist Porcelain Black, lending her vocals as a back up singer.
She also plays in Zachary James & The All Seeing Eyes, lending keyboards & backing vocals to the project.