A Conversation With Lexi Jayde on Her Newest Single “what’s the matter with you?”
Photo by Caity Krone
[UNPUBLISHED]: How excited are you for fans to hear your brand-new single “what’s the matter with you”?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I’m over the moon excited about everyone hearing this song! I really think this one is super special and is the start of a new era of music for Lexi Jayde. My fav one yet.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How would you describe it in comparison to your previous work?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I think this song resembles a step up in maturity not only sonically, creatively, but lyrically. In general, I think I’ve come a long way in the healing process and this song accurately reflects that.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What was it like to collaborate with FINNEAS and Aron Forbes as producers on the song?
[LEXI JAYDE]: Working with Finn is always incredible and so much fun! He really understands me and always brings out the best in me as an artist. I'm grateful I get to learn from him and be surrounded by his guidance and wisdom. Aron is also so amazing! He is so talented and had so many amazing production ideas and the two of them together are the perfect team. They both rock and overall I just feel lucky I get to do what I love with the people I love!
[UNPUBLISHED]: What do you love about this single? Is there a certain production element or a lyric you’re particularly excited about?
[LEXI JAYDE]: After releasing an EP that consisted of a lot of sad music, having such a fun upbeat song was really refreshing! I honestly love everything about this song, funny enough. I love how the production on the song makes you feel. Every little element from the harmonies to the drums to the little things that are tucked in the background, it all blends so well. Makes me wanna scream, dance, laugh, smile, cry, all of the emotions. I’m also in love with the lyrics. I honestly can’t even choose my favorite part. As you can tell, I’m obsessed with it!
[UNPUBLISHED]: I absolutely loved the music video and how you incorporated special effects and illusions into the visuals. Can you talk a little bit about the conception and filming process of the MV?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I knew that I wanted to express the two emotions of being in the in-between of dealing with your trauma from past relationships and learning to love again. My best friend James and I were brainstorming on what we wanted this music video to feel like for weeks. When we talked to the director Connor Brashier, it was so clear that he knew how to bring our vision to life. It was really important to me that this music video felt like a mini-movie, and was super cinematic. Telling a story is one of my favorite things to do, and that's all I really wanted for this video. This was by far the most fun I’ve had making a music video though. Everyone apart of the team was so incredible and it couldn’t have gone any better. Also, the fact that it's shot on film, is the sickest part.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Both the single cover and the MV feature you with your doppelgänger. In the video, it seems like she’s even taking the place of the boyfriend character. What message were you hoping to send? What does the ending of the music video mean to you?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I'm so happy you noticed this! When thinking of ways to express the two emotions I was feeling, it only felt right to have the two Lexi’s represent each emotion. The message I wanted to send to the viewers was to always listen to your heart and be true to yourself. Falling in love again and opening up to someone is scary. At the end of the day, boys will come and go, but you will always have you. It’s so important to take care of yourself and protect your heart, especially when it comes to relationships. Even when something is perfect in front of you, doesn't mean that it’s the right time. It’s okay to not be ready for something, but don’t force yourself to do something you don’t want to do. You see in the music video how the second Lexi is super upset at the real Lexi for talking to this boy because she deep down knew she wasn’t ready for what was to come. I love how at the end it shows Lexi choosing herself over the boy. I just want people to watch this and listen and know they aren’t alone in what they are feeling.
[UNPUBLISHED]: The last time Unpublished chatted with you, you were about to perform “what’s the matter with you” live for the very first time at the Life Is Beautiful festival. What was that experience like? How did the audience react?
[LEXI JAYDE]: That was honestly such a fun experience and something I’ll never forget. Getting to play “what's the matter with you" live for the first time at my first music festival was defiantly a highlight of the year! I was filled with so much love before and after my set, and it just made me even more excited to have the song come out.
[UNPUBLISHED]: In general, what do you love about performing your unreleased songs during your live performances?
[LEXI JAYDE]: It's always fun getting to sing something that isn’t out! You get to see people's reactions and it just gives you more excitement for when it drops. I love making fans excited about future things and it's almost like a little sneak peek at what’s to come.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Do you find yourself performing the same songs a little differently each time you perform them? How have you found yourself growing and improving as a live performer?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I think every performance is always going to be a little different, but I find myself singing certain songs the same way each time! I think the more you sing them, the more comfortable you get performing them. Each show I find myself growing a little more and more as a live performer and it's so much fun to have watched that growth happens in the past year. Touring and performing live is my favorite thing to do and definitely one of my strong suits, and with each show, I try and push myself a little harder to be even better than I was before.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You’re going on your “This is Closure Tour” in just a few days! As the headliner, what are you looking forward to?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I feel like I’ve been waiting my entire life to do a headline tour. I can't believe it's finally here and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for something. I just can't wait to hug everyone and get to meet people face to face. I'm so looking forward to screaming my heart out with everyone in the audience together and getting to hear people sing the lyric back to me! I want my shows to feel like a safe space for everyone who doesn’t have one. PINCH ME PLEASE!!! I feel like the luckiest girl alive.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Which city or cities are you excited to visit?
[LEXI JAYDE]: Legit all of them! Obviously, Los Angeles will be super special cause it's my hometown, but I genuinely can't choose. The fact I get to travel AND do what I love?!! So insane to me.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Following this single, what’s the next project for you?
[LEXI JAYDE]: Currently in the works of writing my debut album! I'm working so hard to make this the best project yet and have so many fun things to share in between that time for everyone. The next year is going to be a crazy ride and I’m ready for every moment of it.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Outside of music, what have you been up to? What has been giving you joy?
[LEXI JAYDE]: I’ve been really just enjoying living. Whether it’s hanging with my friends, going on a walk, watching Harry Potter, baking cookies, making morning coffee, thrifting, or doing spontaneous things with the girlies, this is all what gives me joy. Especially thrifting, I think I have an addiction. Just surrounding yourself with the people that make you the happiest is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I'm trying to enjoy the little things in life and live in the moment.
