Striking a sublime balance of creativity, quirkiness and artistry, contemporary jazz vocalist and songwriter, Alex Baird, displays all of that and more on her debut recording ‘Lemon Tree’. Produced by acclaimed Vocalist Jeff Baker, and featuring a renowned gathering of sensitive & highly creative musicians, Alex Baird explores vibrant reimaginings of jazz standards and iconic pop tunes like ‘Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered,’ and ‘Still Crazy After All These Years,’ as well as stunning originals reminiscent of artists such as Norah Jones and Carol King.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Alex about the Lemon Tree project, surviving the pandemic, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I was born and raised in Seattle, WA. I went to school at University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, CO, and moved back to Seattle in June 2020. I would describe myself and my music as a cross between jazz and singer-songwriter. Everything is very jazz informed, but the album itself is eclectic, and each song is unique. I find it hard to stick to one genre.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I don’t think doing music was an option for me – it was almost mandatory. I don’t mean that I was forced into it at all, but I grew up in music. My dad is a professional musician, mostly playing piano and singing at dueling piano bars, weddings, casinos, and taught me how to sing and accompany myself from the age of 7. My maternal grandmother, Peggi Griffith, was a singer in Seattle in the 1950s-60s. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t playing a song on the piano for family gatherings, singing in choirs, recording at home, etc. My grandmother especially inspired me, but she couldn’t continue her career because she lost her singing ability when she had an unsuccessful vocal nodule surgery. I always considered it my duty to keep her career going, and continue her legacy, which is why we have two of her songs on the record (You’re In My Arms to Stay and As Long As You Want Me).
Music heals all. If I’m ever sad, feeling too many emotions, even if I have a headache, most times, singing or listening to music will make me feel better. I connect so wholeheartedly to the music I sing that I’m usually crying while I write a song, and I always get goosebumps when I listen to something special. I need to do music and connect with other musicians. It’s a must.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
This is my debut album, and as such, I really wanted it to feel like me. My originals vary between singer/songwriter and jazz styles. I grew up listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, and Frank Sinatra. As a teenager I got really into exploring jazz vocalists, like Kurt Elling, Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross, and Ella Fitzgerald. I wanted to strike a balance between the different parts of me and my life and tell my story so far. I love that my music will keep evolving as I evolve and grow into the different sides of myself.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
My biggest struggle has been to stay motivated to work on my craft. I finished school right as the pandemic hit – my senior recital was March 7th, 2020. Naturally, graduating is a huge change, and creates existential crises for many people. I was no different, but I tried to hang on to goals and dreams I came up with in college. This album was the perfect goal, and I learned so many new skills throughout the process. We started with a crowdfund campaign, and I streamed fairly regularly on Twitch, so I was regularly interacting with my audience. I quickly learned how many people were invested in my career and my dreams as an artist, which gave me a great amount of duty, but also sent me spiraling into imposter syndrome. I’ve done a lot of work in therapy over the past year and a half, and I’ve learned so much about myself along the way. Depression and anxiety are present in all of us, however they present, and learning to work with myself on how to pull myself out of low slumps or just work with myself and accept it are new muscles I’m working to strengthen. Shame and guilt can be major roadblocks, in any part of our life, and musicians are never really “off-work.” It’s a challenging environment. I really encourage anyone to explore their inner selves and start the healing work that can get us more in touch with our creative brains. The music that comes from the heart is the music I always want to listen to.
What was the last song you listened to?
The Other Side – Moonchild
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
I’m a ‘90s baby, so I like CDs, and still miss my fuzzy Neopets CD cases bought at Limited Too. I make a point to buy any friends’ CDs because that’s the only way we can really support musicians, but I do most of my listening on Spotify. I love the algorithmic playlists Spotify creates, and how I have separate playlists based on when I’m in the mood for jazz, R&B, throwbacks, or new jazz-inspired pop.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
I’m most active on Instagram, @alexbairdmusic, but I try to be everywhere, like Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and sometimes TikTok.
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you for being interested in me as an artist! I can’t wait for everyone to hear the album.
