Alexa Cappelli Releases Incompatible Connections in “Someone Better”
A mindset shift can be all that’s needed to know that one’s voice matters. Alexa Cappelli immerses listeners into her gleaming world of confessional storytelling by learning how to trust her gut instincts and discerning that no means no and yes means yes. Cappelli returns with her first single of the year “Someone Better” that touches on the pain of leaving a connection that was healthy.
With deeply relatable lyrics like, “Held on thinking maybe it'd be fine to / break all my rules letting myself like you / turns out we're too different no it's not you,” Cappelli mourns the loss of someone who wasn’t compatible with her.
“It’s painful because it’s a lot easier to let go of someone when they treat you like my friend did that inspired ‘Lose, Lose,’” Cappelli says. “In this situation, it was a lot harder to let go because they were actually really, really good.”
Led by a delicate piano melody and Cappelli’s commanding vocals, she bravely captures the conflicting feelings that come with letting go of someone you’ve outgrown. It’s a soul-baring track that will no doubt resonate with her fast-growing fanbase. “‘Someone Better” is the realization that the relationship you’re in doesn't fit the life you’re living for. There’s nothing wrong with the other person, in fact there’s really only good,” Cappelli says. “ But you know the future holds more growth and love for both of you apart, rather than together. Choosing yourself is way more difficult when you aren’t mad at this person who has only ever treated you right. But moving forward, there will be a day when you meet someone somewhere who does the same and is also growing in the same direction.”
Cappelli molds her songs out of heartfelt confessions honest thoughts, and unforgettable experiences projected without filter by her traffic-stopping voice. Rather than pull any punches, the Southern California based singer and songwriter opens up fearlessly with attitude and sensitivity in equal measure.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Thank you again for talking to Unpublished Magazine. It's exciting to have you back since the last time we talked about your single “Lose, Lose.” I would love to catch up and see how life has been treating you and what have you been up to since the last time we talked.
[ALEXA]: It's been interesting. I've really been honing in on the overall concept of the album, what songs I want to be singles, and finishing writing them, but mostly resting over the holidays and regaining vision for the new year and this project I'm really excited about.
[UNPUBLISHED]: “Someone Better” is your first release of the year and it deals with a lot of growing pains. What is the inspiration behind the single?
[ALEXA]: The inspiration was a very lovely guy that I really do care a lot about and it was very mutual in the way that we felt, except there were things in our lives that weren't compatible, but it doesn't really change the fact that there was care and love there. Sometimes it's just not enough to be in love or to build a life with somebody, for me, it's all or nothing. When there's just a few boxes left to be checked off, it's like a bummer because I do believe that there is someone better out there for both of us. It's a hard pill to swallow too because chemistry is rare sometimes.
[UNPUBLISHED]: I would love to know more about the creative process. How did you go through this experience and how did it affect the process of creating your music? Has “Someone Better” helped you express any feelings and release any steam?
[ALEXA]: I wrote this song in 2021. I feel like it's just a side of me that I haven't really shown to my audience yet. I think that part has always been in me, like respecting, loving and caring for those who I've really believed in or loved before. I feel like this whole project has been interesting to find the throughline with all the songs, and some of my fans are catching on with what the throughline is with the last singles and “Someone Better.” It’s painful because it’s a lot easier to let go of someone when they treat you like my friend did that inspired “Lose, Lose.” In this situation, it was a lot harder to let go because they were actually really, really good.
[UNPUBLISHED]: The visualizer for “Someone Better” is really beautiful. How was your experience filming that and were there any fun moments that you would like to share from it?
[ALEXA]: It's always fun to be on set. I always meet new people. I'm a people person. So getting to ask the person doing my makeup, how they're doing and learning about them, and I think the most fun part is that I kept all my outfits. I'm very passionate about ethical fashion, so I've been thrifting everything and I found the boots that I have in the cover photo and in the video and the neon yellow shoes were all thrifted. I always think it's super fun. It's like a scavenger hunt trying to find pieces for visuals.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Have you experimented or are taking more risks, either creatively or personally, for “Someone Better” since your previous releases like “Lose, Lose” and “Temporary?”
[ALEXA]: This one's my first sappy breakup ballad. I guess the closest thing that I had to that is a song off my EP called “The Fence,” and even with that one, it's kind of bouncy. It has some buoyancy to it even in the melodies, but “Someone Better” is just sad, which is a bit of a risk for me because I am an upbeat, happy person and very positive. Switching gears for this was scary, but also super real, honest and authentic to me.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Is there a certain lyric or message that you gravitate towards the most from “Someone Better?”
[ALEXA]: The “I wish I could be mad” lyric. I’ve said it to myself a few times that it’s so much easier to get over someone when you’re mad at them and they’re completely gone. There’s no temptation to text or call them and it’s like good riddance. That's probably the lyric that I feel like it's the hardest for me.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Say if someone hasn't heard of your music yet, which song would you show them to introduce to your discography and why does that track stand out to you the most?
[ALEXA]: I would try them “Temporary.” I feel like it's my favorite song that I've written, of course, you could ask me tomorrow and I could say something else, but I feel like it just encompasses that nostalgic feeling even kind of similar to “Someone Better.” I love the nostalgia aspect, but it also showcases that I want to jump around my room like a crazy person and it gives main character energy. I feel like it tells a story and it's a song that I really needed when I was going through it all too.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What has been one of your most rewarding moments in your career so far.
[ALEXA]: Everything adds up, but I love meetings. I love people. I recently discovered that I'm an extrovert. I thought I was an introvert this whole time, maybe I was at some point in my life, but I'm an extrovert now apparently and it's hitting me more. I really do love being around people, so I think when I release a song and people share with me what about the song that hits them the most and why they resonate, it’s empowering because I have been coping with my music. It also helps other people feel like they're heard and seen and then when they tell me, it makes me feel more heard and seen. I love that communication and connection with my fans and listeners.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Is there a story or experience among any of the releases you put out that you gravitate towards the most and feel like it perfectly encapsulates your creative growth and maturity?
[ALEXA]: I've been talking about my album a bit, but I think throughout this whole process of writing, it's been a long time coming. I think just on a human level, it's been very interesting to see how my mindset shifts when I actually believe that my voice matters. It's so easy to tell other people that “you’re important and you’re loved,” but then to believe that when you look in the mirror, it’s a different story. Trusting my gut and knowing no means no and yes means yes and sticking to what I say I’m going to do is shown in the work and how much my heart is in each of these songs.
[UNPUBLISHED]: I would love to know anything you’re willing to share about the upcoming album with the magazine.
[ALEXA]: I'm so excited. I feel like I've been saying to everyone that this is gonna be a no skips album. I am picking out the songs that actively don’t fit the concept or don’t fit the sonics and they’re being pushed to the sidelines. They're having to be pushed to the sidelines because the end result has to be perfect. I’m trusting my gut. It’s been awesome to work and grow with new collaborators because up until this point, I’ve had a little circle of people when I was independent, but now growing and meeting more artists and working with them more.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like that you'd like to share with Unpublished?
[ALEXA]: I feel like spring is a very bittersweet time for me because things that have proven themselves to not be long lasting fade away, and then things that are supposed to stick with me really lodge themselves in my heart. I feel like there's something coming soon. I always have a lot of hope around this time of year too, because of course, it’s spring and everything's blooming and it's sunny outside. I’m just hopeful and excited to see what else people think about the songs I've been working on. Just more hard work and finding joy. That's the biggest thing spring is like for me, is like choosing joy and that choice.
