“Songwriting is the only reason I healed,” we chatted with Lexi Jayde following a stunning performance at Fine Line in Minneapolis.
The LA-based artist to watch has just announced her second EP closer to closure, set for release on May 26th via Artist Partner Group. She shares, “closer to closure resembles my journey of trying to seek closure after going through heartbreak. With every song I wrote for this EP, I got one step closer. While I know I’ll never get full closure, I’ve come to accept it, and I’ve grown so much through my experience… I want listeners to walk away from this EP having felt something. I want those who may have similar experiences use these songs to heal and be empowered knowing you are not alone.”
Lexi Jayde’s genuine nature shines through in both her songwriting and performance. During her opening set in Minneapolis, I was in awe of her ability to connect with Clinton Kane’s audience. Her willingness to be vulnerable, to share her hardest memories for the benefit of an unknown crowd, and to recognize that the act of performing is an essential step in her own healing process, shows maturity beyond her years. With the release of closer to closure, fans will get an even deeper look into her journey, and we are so glad she is willing to share her story.
At the end of 2021, you posted about experiencing some of the highest highs and lowest lows of your life. What was your most important takeaway or lesson learned after last year?
I think it’s important to accept that life is full of ups and downs. I learned that everything always has a silver lining even when it feels like things won’t get better. The past year has taught me not only a lot about myself but a lot on how to handle my emotions. Learning to deal with heartbreak isn’t easy, and although I’m still dealing with it I was able to get through it. I look at every downfall as a lesson to take and grow and move forward in life to become even better than I was before.
In that same post, you also described drunk text me as the first song from that period in your life. Where does songwriting fit into your healing process? Does performing live fit into that process?
Songwriting is the only reason I healed. Writing and making music is my therapy! Without me being able to express how I have been feeling and tell my story into so many different songs, I think I wouldn’t have been able to handle the pain. That’s my favorite thing about music, is that I’m able to take my painful experiences and turn them into something beautiful. Performing live is a completely different feeling, but still fits into the same type of therapy. Being on stage and singing my songs to an audience and people who want to hear my songs, is the most incredible feeling. When I perform, I use so much emotion, so in a way I’m also letting out all those feelings that I had written about.
I find the lyrical trajectory of drunk text me > hate to be you > self sabotage to be extremely interesting. The tone of each song seems evolutionary, each building off of the previous. Could you speak about the sequencing of these releases? How would you describe their interconnectedness?
Overall all these songs have to do with my breakup and explain the emotions I went through! As you noticed, I wanted each song to build off of each other, almost like the stages you go through after heartbreak! drunk text me is how I felt in the beginning (sad, wanting to talk to him, missing him, still loving him). Then, hate to be you is the second stage (anger, revenge, an ‘I hate you’ feeling). Then, we have self sabotage, stage 3! self sabotage is when you finally start to move on, you start to notice your worth, and power, and even though you aren’t completely healed, you are finally taking those steps to move on.
In self sabotage you describe your breakup experience as an internal struggle toward healing and rediscovering yourself. I think that is a fascinating concept, that one can continue to sabotage themselves long after they “should” feel okay. If you could tell your past self one thing, now that you’re on the other side of this, what would it be?
I would tell my past self to not be so hard on myself. That everything is going to be okay, and that you will find happiness again! I would also say that you can live without him, and you will soon realize that life without him is even better. I would just tell her that it’s going to get better, I promise.
You’ve collaborated with so many artists and musicians, and now most recently with Finneas, Nick Ruth and Mikey Ferrari on self sabotage. What was your favorite part about producing this song? What are you most proud of?
This song has been through so much. I first wrote it when I was self sabotaging myself right after the breakup! Months went by and I went back in and rewrote some of it and at that point I was starting to move on and I barely self sabotaged myself. Then, when I knew I was going to release it, I went back into the studio maybe three different times to perfect it. I’m so proud because I got to watch the song over time become my reality, and now I’m finally myself again. Writing this with Nick and Mikey was an absolute blast! Nick and I went back and forth so many times trying new arrangements and new ideas and he’s just the best human and so talented. And Finneas is just so talented and I feel lucky that I get to work with someone who is as great of a person as he is! I’m so grateful I get to work with people I love and I’m so happy with how the song has turned out.
As you conclude your tour with Clinton Kane, what are you reflecting on? What have you learned from your experience and/or from watching Clinton perform every night?
Clinton’s tour has been one of the best experiences of my life! I’ve had nothing but fun and am living the dream. Funnily enough, I’ve learned most about my health and taking care of myself! Eating food, especially good food, is super hard on the road! I’ve never been gone this long before so it’s been an adjustment! Also I’m singing every night so making sure my voice is staying healthy. I love to watch Clinton perform every night as he’s one of the best performers I’ve seen! I look up to how he connects with everyone and makes every person in the audience feel loved and included. I’m so sad it’s ending soon. I love it too much.
Finally, I want to give you a space to promote a cause or charity, and to speak about why it is important to you.
I want to shout out Write Girl! They are based in LA and are focused on mentoring girls who are interested in all different kinds of creative writing. Songwriting is so special to me and I love that this is a place for girls to get mentorship and have a creative outlet.
Lexi Jayde’s tour with Clinton Kane continues through the end of next week before concluding with two dates at the historic El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. You can find more information about Lexi Jayde on her website and pre-save her EP closer to closure here.
Photos:Morgan Winston
Tagged with: Interview
