From ‘Goose’ to Growth: Alix Page Talks Music, Challenges, & What’s Next

Meet Alix Page, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter whose heartfelt lyrics and evolving sound have captivated audiences from Orange County to LA and beyond.

Known for her deeply personal storytelling, Alix is not just a rising star; she's a young artist embracing change and exploring new creative depths. In this interview, Alix opens up about her shift in songwriting, the inspiration behind her latest tracks, and the reality of navigating the ever-changing music industry. Plus, she gives us a sneak peek at what’s in store for 2025.

Nicolle: Hi, Alix, first things first, could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Alix: Hi! I’m Alix. I’m a 22-year-old singer/songwriter from Orange County, California, currently living in LA.

Nicolle: Your songwriting is incredibly personal and emotionally charged. Can you walk us through your creative process when writing a new song—how do you channel those raw emotions into your music? 

Alix: It’s been changing a lot recently. For as long as I’ve been writing I’ve always started with lyrics, but recently I’ve been inspired by sounds and melodies and feeling this weird itch to get into production. I think it would be perfect for my brain to dive into the more technical side of songwriting and see what I can make if I start with sounds versus feelings. The trouble I fall into when starting with lyrics is that sometimes I feel and think so many things that I don’t know where to start.

Nicolle: ‘Goose’ is such a cool track, with vivid storytelling and a nostalgic feel. What was the inspiration behind this song, and how did you approach translating those emotions into the lyrics and sound? 

Alix: “Goose” came from being inspired by (and kind of crushing on) a friend; it felt like I had been struck by lightning or suddenly found this thing that I felt like I had been missing for a while. That manifested itself in these really big, energetic drums and sparkly guitars and vocal samples to create the final product we’re really proud of. I love playing it live.

Nicolle: As a young artist, you’ve already made quite an impact with your unique sound. Who would you say has been your biggest musical influence, and how have they shaped your approach to creating music? 

Alix: Thank you! Honestly, the Wicked soundtrack was my first love, with Taylor Swift, The Killers, and Imogen Heap following closely behind.

I love the way Imogen uses all of her vocal range and creates these insane melodies and has such a distinct sound; I’ve always loved big, anthemic songs and I think The Killers do them best; and listening to Taylor as a young girl, shaped everything about the way I write, perform, and play music.

Being a big fan of musicals/theatre is kind of a controversial take but I love them and I think they teach so many valuable lessons about musical motifs/patterns and storytelling and the structure of a good album. I can’t tell you how often I listen to some of my favourite albums and think “Oh shit, this is structured like/would be a really good musical” (‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ by The 1975 is my favourite example.)

Nicolle: Your music often touches on themes of love, heartbreak, and growth. How do you think your songwriting has evolved as you’ve matured both personally and as an artist? 

Alix: I think it’s slowly but surely getting less literal. Less structured? Right now, I like writing by myself, letting melodies be “boring”, and letting lyrics “not make sense”. I have a song coming out somewhat soon called “Bug” that I think showcases that best.

Nicolle: Performing live is such an intimate experience for both the artist and the audience. How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a live show, and how do you hope your music connects with your listeners during those performances?

Alix: I’m definitely still learning what works for me. I’ve found that turning my phone off at least 15 minutes before I go onstage is helpful. On the last tour I did I made a conscious effort to do 3x3x3 breathing right before I went onstage and that really helped ground me and make me feel present on stage from the get-go.

Nicolle: With the music industry constantly evolving, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a rising artist, and how do you stay grounded while navigating your journey? 

Alix: The hardest part for me recently has been being my own cheerleader. It’s really easy to be excited about promoting your releases and posting a lot when you’re getting really good engagement or you’re coming off of a tour, etc. The problem is, these days algorithms are always changing and your engagement can go up and down without rhyme or reason, so my journaling question to myself has been “How do I stay positive and stay excited about what I’m doing even when it feels like no one else is”.

There is just so much disappointment to be found in all corners of the industry, it gets tough. People try to prepare you for it your whole life by telling you how hard it is to “make it” and everything but it’s still a tough pill to swallow sometimes. Then obviously on the flip side of that, there’s so much community to be found with other musicians in LA and other musicians online.

Everyone’s going through the same thing and experiencing the same highs and lows so it’s nice to be able to talk about it out loud and not feel like you’re the only one suffering through it. I will say I’ve grown to appreciate the people in my life who don’t do music more and more recently. It’s so important to me and my well-being to see things outside of my tiny music-world bubble, and they help me do just that.

Nicolle: Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows? 

Alix: I’ve been lucky enough to perform all over the world; Chicago, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle are always favourites of mine in the U.S.

Touring overseas for the first time in 2022 and playing in London, Paris, Dublin, and Copenhagen will always be a core memory for me. I’m playing my only headline of the year at my favourite hometown venue on November 14th! I’m very excited. 

Nicolle: What song made you fall in love with music and want to be an artist? 

Alix: There are so many. Off the top of my head: ‘White Horse’ by Taylor Swift, ‘Read My Mind’ by The Killers, ‘Speeding Cars’ by Imogen Heap, ‘White Ferrari’ by Frank Ocean, ‘Samson’ by Regina Spektor, ‘400 Lux’ by Lorde, ‘Scott Street’ by Phoebe Bridgers, ‘Underneath It All’ by No Doubt, and the soundtracks of Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street. 

Nicolle: At what age did you write your first song? What was it about? 

Alix: My first fully written song was one called ‘Here Now’ which I wrote in 2017 and performed for a showcase in high school. It was about a guy I’d had a crush on for so long finally confessing he had feelings for me; by then I was already over it and he was too late. I was actually looking for it on my phone and computer the other day because I was trying to remember what it sounded like and I couldn't find it anywhere - very sad. 

Nicolle: Last but not least- what’s next for you? Can we expect more music in 2024? 

Alix: Yes! One more song this year, lots more and maybe some shows next year :)

Alix Page’s journey in music is a testament to embracing change and staying true to oneself amidst the highs and lows. Whether she’s playing an intimate hometown show or crafting her next release, her passion for connecting with listeners shines through. As she heads into 2025 with new music on the way, we can’t wait to see where her creative path leads next. Stay tuned—Alix is just getting started.

Follow Alix's journey on her Instagram and listen to her EP ‘Goose’ on Spotify.

_

Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.