Alexandra & The Starlight Band

Christmas cover & editorial spread, "All I want for Christmas" - VC Buzz

Artist of the Week
Alexandra & The Starlight Band

Alexandra creates a unique brand of "electric soul" that combines the glamour, nostalgia & outrageousness of rock 'n' roll with dance oriented R & B grooves and the pop appeal of Motown. Her soulful voice takes its cues from Otis Redding’s funky secular testifyin’, Tina Turner’s gritty infectious intensity and no-nonsense delivery, the blues-drenched hard-hitting raw power of Janis Joplin and has been compared to the likes of contemporaries Adele, Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and Nikka Costa.

Come and celebrate the release of Alexandra & The Starlight Band's debut EP & Limited Edition clear vinyl/rainbow glitter 7"! All ages, with Space Panther! Starts at 6:00pm, at Bombay Bar & Grill! - VC Buzz Magazine

I often hear from bands, “We love vinyl but we don’t have vinyl just yet...” which is understandable. Enter the little internet wonder that is Kickstarter, and bands can pass the virtual hat and make that goal a bit of a reality.

We’ll endeavor to assist bands and artists with their Kickstarters and vinyl pursuits by helping to get the word out there, but before you flood our in-boxes with notes and solicitations and overload our front desk with generous bribes and home baked goods—we first need to believe in you.

We believe in Alexandra & The Starlight Band.

“When I was little, I remember sitting with my Dad in front of the record player staring at the cover of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and being completely mesmerized.

Later, when I moved out of home at 17 and started my first punk band, my Dad gave me (or I stole, depends on who’s telling the story) my parents’ collection of vinyl LPs and 45s—Elvis Costello, Rolling Stones, Funkadelic, Queen…and as my record collection grew from there, I knew one day I had to make a vinyl record of my own that could live amongst the tall spines of my rock ‘n’ roll heroes.



Fast forward to today and I have finally wrapped up recording my first EP on which I have written all of the music by myself. Each song is incredibly personal, chronicling my life over the past couple years; the emotional highs and lows of loving, losing, living, and going from dark to light. They reflect my obsession with ’70s soul and secular testifyin’ a-la Otis Redding and Al Green, the electric voices of powerful female rock stars from days gone by—from Janis to Tina Turner, and the glamour, nostalgia, and outrageousness of glam rock, fashion, Bowie, and beyond.


So, when it came time to press this, I knew I had to pull out all the stops and create something completely over the top!

Riffing off a pair of crazy rainbow rhinestone covered shoes I made for the album cover shoot and frequently wear live, I decided on rainbow glitter embedded within clear vinyl to complement the cover design my friend and designer Colin Graham had created.



But was it possible? I’d never seen it made before. After searching for weeks, I finally discovered a company that could create my wild glam rock record dream.

To the best of our knowledge, this record has never been created before.

The closest thing, apparently, was a one color silver glitter on black vinyl for Mariah Carey. (On a side note, did I just out-sparkle Mariah Carey?)

The process of creating each one of these records is pretty incredible: while the record is still in a hot, moldable stage, the record will be sprinkled with various rainbow glitter colors completely by hand. So each and every record is unique, like some kind of crazy glam rock rainbow snowflake.



To play off the special nature of the record, I am doing a limited edition pressing of just 250 copies, hand-numbered in metallic ink. Each copy will also come with a special insert pull out poster as well!

As you can imagine, making such a custom, handmade object with all the bells and whistles is incredibly pricey- so I launched a Kickstarter to offset some of the costs:

Alexandra Starlight Kickstarter

I set a low goal for myself as I wasn’t sure what the market for such craziness was, but surprisingly I met that low goal within just the first couple weeks! I have now raised my goal to $5,000, which will cover most of the costs of production for the records and CDs.

If you love collectable vinyl and like what you hear, please make a pledge and help create this crazy little dream!”
—Alexandra Starlight - The Vinyl District

f you’re in Austin, Texas this week for the SXSW festival, be sure to stop by the historic Victory Grill this Thursday, March 15th for a rockin’ showcase presented by the Miles Davis Estate, Monster (the famed maker of premium headphones) and Beta Records TV (a weekly music-centric television series broadcasted to over 1,000,000 viewers a week).

The event will go from 1:30 pm to 2am, with eleven stellar live music acts gracing the stage. Not-to-be-missed acts include Alexandra & The Starlight Band, fronted by electrified soul chanteuse, Alexandra Starlight whose raspy vocals have critics hailing her as a “modern-day Janis Joplin,” Miles Grooves featuring a performance by Miles Davis’ nephew, Vince Wilburn Jr., and the high-octane glam/garage/punk Molotov cokctail that is Semi Precious Weapons, who recently toured with Lady Gaga.
- The Vinyl District

Alexandra and the Starlight Band
www.alexandraband.com
Though local loyalists may scoff at the inclusion of Alexandra and the Starlight Band on this year’s list, we’re giving the Los Angeles frontwoman kudos as an honorary local since she basically does everything in Ventura with the exception of living here. Her backup band includes locals Robin Ryder, Sam Bolle and Zachary James, she records and rehearses in Ventura, and her favorite restaurant is Corrales — ’nuff said. 2012 will see her release a hand-glittered, clear vinyl, 7-inch record and an accompanying 5-song EP. She’s got a boat load of shows booked as well this year, with many being in Ventura. In addition to her own career, Alexandra will also be doing double duty in her significant other’s backup band, Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes, where she has the ability to take a break from indie soul diva and, as she puts it, “just be a dude in the back in a T- shirt head-banging away,” which is as about as Ventura as it gets.

— Chris Jay
See Alexandra and the Starlight Band on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Good Bar.
- VC Reporter Magazine

Desert Hot Springs, CA - At first sight it is easy to dismiss Alexandra and the Starlight Band as a glam rock looking cliche, but the moment Alexandra belts out her first syllable the audience is under her control. It was only 7 p.m., but Dillon’s Roadhouse was the place to be, even on a Wednesday.

Alexandra and the Starlight Band where taking part of the Desert Daze Moon Fest week long concert. The band stood out partly because their sound is hard to explain, think white Tina Turner, with some Janis Joplin and Joan Jett thrown in for good measure.

But after talking with Alexandra and her band it was a surprise to find out that they all have such diverse taste in music. Zach James, the guitarist and Alexandra’s main man is a fan of Elvis Costello and 1950's style music. A surprise coming form this 6 foot plus good looking Ramone clone. Bassist Martin Ayala is more into the sound of Blues Brothers bassist, Ducky Dunn. And sexy surfer drummer Robin Ryder started playing to the beat of Van Halen and Motley Crue records. As for Alexandra, she admits that Ms Turner is a hero of hers, but also needs to hear the sad sounds of Al green and Otis Redding’s heart felt music.

Many of Alexandra songs are indeed about heart ache and lost love. But not from the victim role, more of a tale of caution for the men in the audience on how easily they can miss out on a good woman by a stupid slip of bad judgment.

I asked Alexandra if these songs are autobiographical, “Yea, I had one boy friend cheat on me a month after we started dating with an under age chick in a van.” Astonished she didn’t have a complete melt down in such a time off despair, she instead turned all her pain into songs. Girl power indeed.

This is just the kinda of honesty that most musicians shy away from, but like her music Alexandra and her band are open and honest. They are a throw back to punk in the DIY kind of approach, including paying for their own hotel room, not getting paid for this gig and driving from Ventura County all the way to Palm Desert Hot Springs, just so more folks can be exposed to their music.

As Alexandra states she is one of the few left that is a member of “the church of rock ‘n’ roll”

Check out Alexandra and the Starlight Band @ ww.alexandraband.com and look for their first vinyl 7” pressed with glitter, “Without My Sunshine.” - Desert Star Weekly

"Alexandra Starlight bears the lucky distinction of being as captivating as she is talented. Her singing style rivals the greats like Tina Turner and Janis Joplin. And she's got the swagger of a thousand men.”- Guitar World Magazine

On Saturday, August 4th Alexandra & The Starlight Band will perform at San Jose’s Streetlight Records alongside San Jose local Stock Foto. The show will be in support of Alexandra’s latest release, Alexandra & The Starlight Band, which already has critics buzzing, hailing the gritty & sultry songstress as the new, 21st century Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Along with CD, Alexandra & The Starlight Band is being released in a never-before-made combination of clear vinyl/rainbow glitter, each painstakingly custom made & hand numbered. Entirely crowd-funded, the release garnered an overwhelming response on the creative platform Kickstarter—resulting in over 205% funding and the limited edition 7” being nearly sold out, months before its release.

For this recording, Alexandra Starlight worked at Henson Studios in Los Angeles alongside Bob Cutarella (Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Madonna, Joss Stone, Keith Richards), engineer Paul LaMalfa (Brian Wilson, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn, Mariah Carey), Kevin Mills (Michael Bublé, Tom Morello, Céline Dion, No Doubt, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Revolver, Gwen Stefani) and Lena Horne’s former band leader, Lou Forestieri (Tori Amos).

"Rushes through the speakers and has all the strength and emotion of Motown’s finest, but also bears its soul with the intimacy of a Southern gospel record...then, Starlight’s smoldering vocals kick in. And I try to pick my jaw up off the floor. It’s just that good." -Guitar World Magazine

Sonically, the 5 song EP presents a fresh spin on classic American music; hearkening back to the golden period in the 1970’s when rock ‘n’ rollers were looking to the sounds of Motown, R&B, funk and soul for inspiration. In the swinging “Without My Sunshine,” Starlight muses on the proverbial calm after navigating a stormy sea of heartache, with a bittersweet sense of gratitude, set to the sounds of gospel backing vocals and a classic Stax Records style horn section. Yet Starlight stands strong and never plays the victim; in the funky & heavy-hitting “T.T.M.F.” she trash-talks her two-timing ex-lover, positioning herself as the victor in her own superhero-esque survivor theme song. The result is a collection of songs that are at once triumphant and vulnerable, introspective and searching, strong and sassy.

"The moment Alexandra belts out her first syllable the audience is under her control. The band stands out partly because their sound is hard to explain, think white Tina Turner, with some Janis Joplin and Joan Jett thrown in for good measure." - Desert Star Weekly Newspaper

Alexandra Starlight’s live show matches the intensity of the songs, earning her a reputation as an artist to watch. She has played alongside artists such as Semi-Precious Weapons, Kate Nash, Trixie Whitley, Intronaut, Jhene Aiko, Vanaprasta, Harriet & Black Math Horseman, at notable venues such as The Troubadour, Hotel Café & The Satellite. Earlier this year, she performed at SXSW for a showcase curated by the Miles Davis family.
For more information visit:
http://www.alexandraband.com - San Jose Blog

Everyone urged Alexandra to release her album digitally. But she recalls, "I always dreamed of creating a REAL record." She launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance her dream- an over-the-top vinyl pressing. Riffing off her album's artwork, she envisioned a clear vinyl record embedded with sparkly rainbow glitter It would be a limited edition pressing of just 250 with a large signed poster. She set a crowd-funding goal of $2,500, hoping to at least offset production costs. Her unique vision, however, inspired donors to contribute that amount in less than two weeks. The moral of the story? Stay true to your vision...no matter what anyone says. - Music Connection Magazine

They say all that glitters isn't gold, and Alexandra & The Starlight band prove it with an unusual clear vinyl/rainbow glitter vinyl. Details: Alexandraband.com - Record Collector Magazine (UK)

When I received the self-titled debut EP by Alexandra and the Starlight Band, I opened the envelope with restrained glee. Having previously received a parcel from Ms. Lee, I expected nothing less than a cascade of tiny multicolored metallic stars to spill onto my lap and get wedged in my keyboard; I was not disappointed.


Sunglasses are a mandatory accessory in Alexandra Lee’s world. Not for UV protection or as a pretense of celebrity, but rather to diffuse the reflection that bounces off nearly everything within a 20-foot radius of her person. That is to say, she likes her shinies — and few things within her reach, it seems, escape the touch of her “glam rock magic elves.”






Lee’s penchant for glitter, which goes back to her childhood when she and her father would listen to Bowie records together, has reached a state that surpasses all logical application — a rainbow of color embedded in a limited number of 7-inch vinyl copies of her record, a feat that proved challenging to even the most seasoned vinyl press operator.


“I wanted to take it to an extreme,” she says. “I wanted to make something superpersonal, and I had this crazy dream [to make] a rainbow record.”


Finding a company that could bring her dream to fruition proved more difficult than she anticipated as most pressing plants are completely automated, and the process would have to be more hands-on. Enter Erika Records in Buena Park, Calif., which has remained semi-automated in order to preserve its employees’ jobs. Lee said that while most bands are not allowed inside the plant — including the Misfits, which recently had a glow-in-the-dark record pressed there — she was given access in order to participate in the trial-and-error process.


“I had to buy 50 kinds of glitter. I didn’t know that much glitter existed!” she recalls. “The first few were kind of ugly. . . . We mixed all the colors together and they came out pink. So we had to figure out how it would look and how it would play. I can’t complain about buying bulk quantities of glitter,” she laughs. “It was a crazy process, but superfun.”


As with glitter, rainbows are also ever-present in Lee’s galaxy. The petite pistol’s long tresses and fingernails are streaked with an array of pretty colors that recently caught the attention of a very young girl at a Ventura restaurant. The girl became so obsessed with Lee’s look that her father eventually brought her over to say hello. Obsessed fangirls are nothing new for Lee, though one would expect her to be more of a man magnet.


“I’ve gotten two-page letters from girls, telling me their lives and things they’ve been through,” she says. The EP created a bond between her and her fans. Even her close friends uncharacteristically shed a tear or two while listening. “The girls are so much more emotional about their fandom. They [seem] so stoked to see me on stage, a lot of them have said it’s kind of empowering that there’s someone they can get behind who ‘s larger than life, but real at the same time, and talking about stuff they totally understand.”


That “stuff” being love and heartbreak. Four out of the five songs on her EP — all written by Lee with help from her band — deal with themes of love gone wrong (and right), yet it’s difficult to imagine the lovely and charming glam diva ever suffering rejection.


“I went from a really disappointing relationship to an amazing one,” she says (the amazing one being with rocker Zachary James), which is evident on the opening song, “Without My Sunshine.” The blistering track “TTMF” (an acronym for two-timing mother fucker), on the other hand, is an example of unadulterated and unhinged female rage, which she expresses playfully during her live performance.


“I was just pissed… I basically said it all in that song, and got to rewrite my own history in a cathartic way,” she explains. Whether her melodic vitriol has found its way to the one it was intended for is unknown, but Lee says she hopes he’s heard it. On “I Gotta Thank You,” she journeys from sadness to gladness, coming full circle with the pain of it all. “I realized I can’t be the light without going through the dark.”


The therapeutic effect of the record — especially for females — isn’t just evidenced lyrically, but in her gritty soul vocal style and delivery, which immediately betray her idols — Tina Turner and Janis Joplin — while also bringing to mind Fiona Apple and Joss Stone. Obviously in regular communication with her inner black woman, Lee also cites a slew of white males as influences and even went through what she calls a tomboy period. (She only recently started getting into makeup and feather boas.)


“I loved the leather-clad badass chicks — Suzi Quatro, Joan Jett. They proved chicks could do it.”She played in a punk band called The Daggers and spent a lot of time “eating pizza in a garage with dudes.” When she’d had enough of the “dude dungeon” she started a raunchy girl band: The H - VC Reporter Magazine

NTRODUCING ALEXANDRA AND ZAC

There has been an influx of performers that derive their flavor from music’s heyday.

Artists like Kings of Leon, Red Kross, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings -- and The Black Keys -- each imbibe the glory of their idols.

But there’s one band that immerses itself in the tastes of yesteryear peppered with its own uncompromising spin on classic rock soul and bluesy Southern rhythms. That group is Alexandra and the Starlight Band.

Alexandra Starlight bears the lucky distinction of being as captivating as she is talented. So much so that music’s elite have come to her: Bob Cutarella -- who was instrumental in the early success of Metallica as well as having worked with Paul McCartney and Alice Cooper -- collaborated with her on a couple of her latest tracks. Then, there’s the voice: Her singing style rivals the greats like Tina Turner and Janis Joplin. She’s also got the swagger of a thousand men.

I caught up with her and her band’s lead guitarist, Zachary James, recently at their home in Los Angeles to discuss tours and performing. Amid the barking of their dogs and the random sleepwalking of their elderly next-door neighbor, they also dished about their favorite artists and ASB’s most recent release, the Rainbow Glitter EP (out on vinyl), followed by a feature-length album slated to early this year. Both efforts are an engulfing nod to glam rock and portend a great career in the making.

“I think right now is an interesting time for music,” says Starlight, as she reclines in her chair. “You don’t need a major label; you don’t need a million dollars to put a record out. You just need a computer. There’s something happening right now. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it feels like there’s something in the air where people are hungry for real music again -- real music that gets you.”

For the duo, it’s “The Me Decade” -- with all its pageantry -- that best showcases their stage performances and frames the “real music” that their fan base has come to crave.

“The costume is such a huge part. Queen and anyone else who is over the top, I’m into,” Starlight says.

While on a recent tour with Porcelain Black, Far East Movement and Lil’ Wayne, James was even affectionately nicknamed “That ‘70s Show" by several of the accompanying acts, due to his retro-rocker image. But the inspiration extends further than just the physical. There is a kinship to the era that these players have adopted, body mind and soul.

“I love that feeling of freedom and total unbridled rawness,” Starlight explains. That’s something I’m really drawn to,” she says. “I feel like a lot of women are afraid to rep that nowadays. They don’t want to alienate the male demographic. I just feel like the Grace Slicks and the Janises ... you don’t really see that nowadays.”

OLD MEETS NEW

Aside from classic rockers, these partners (onstage and off) are very succinct about the modern groups that are on their radar. As a vocalist, Starlight confesses to a love of Amy Winehouse, Adele and Nikka Costa. And James has a wishlist of contemporary acts that he would love to tour with, should the opportunity present itself:

“The Killers, Muse, the Strokes. Um, Dave Grohl -- The Foo Fighters would be awesome,” he notes. “All those bands would be totally awesome.”

Alongside his duties with ASB, 2011 proved a banner year for James; he recently signed endorsement deals with Orange, Home Brew Electronics and Fender. The guitarist was even gifted his weapon of choice, two Telecaster Blacktops, for the tours. When not backing Starlight and other assorted artists, he performs in his own group, the Zachary James Band.

Hollywood has embraced Alexandra and the Starlight Band: The group is a regular fixture at venues such as The Hotel Cafe and Harvard & Stone. Even with the initial glow of success looming overhead, Starlight and James are very much in sync when it comes to where they ultimately hope to go in their careers.

“Mainstream success, for sure. It’s got to be mainstream,” he says. “I’d love to be nominated. Grammys? That would be awesome.”

NOW COMES THE GOOD PART

After discussing Alexandra and the Starlight Band, James quietly suggests that they play me an unmixed version of “Shine Like a Star" from the group’s forthcoming release. His guitar intro rushes through the speakers and has all the strength and emotion of Motown’s finest, but also bears its soul with the intimacy of a Southern gospel record. Just then, Starlight’s smoldering vocals kick in and she begins to sing along to the recording.

And I try to pick my jaw up off the floor. It’s just that good.

For more on Alexandra and the Starlight Band, visit alexandraband.com.
- Guitar World Magazine

Here's a great Kickstarter project from a friend of ours, Alexandra Starlight. The band is looking to press some limited edition rainbow glitter 7-inch vinyls which is something....well, that I've never seen before. For only $50 you'll receive this extremely rare piece of vinyl (only 250 pieces made) and a hand-signed poster along with a thank-you on her website. - Killahbeez

Alexandra’s soulful voice takes cues from Janis Joplin’s blues-drenched raw power, Tina Turner’s gritty intensity and contemporaries Adele & Joss Stone. Combining theatrics & fashion, Alexandra's showmanship embodies Mick Jagger’s peacock swagger and Ziggy Stardust’s interstellar glam. Backed by The Starlight Band & gospel singers The Starlettes, Alexandra modernizes classic American music. - No Cover Magazine

Childhood dreams can seem idealistic, even naive, through the more weathered lens of adulthood. The adolescent make-believe of hair-brush microphones, tennis-racket guitars, and thousands of cheering stuffed-animal fans, more often than not gives way to far more tangible and much less risky pursuits. For a rare few, however, these blissful visions of stardom act not as simple juvenile delusions but as intuitive glimpses of things to come.

When a 5-year-old Alexandra Lee picked up her first classical violin, few could have pictured the journey that would see her tromping her way through the L.A. punk scene and test-driving a handful of various sonic incarnations en route to becoming the gritty, soulful and sultry songstress she is today. It was in that same scene that she would meet a kindred spirit in Zachary James. Although James had also cut his musical teeth in a more conventional manner, taking an interest in classical guitar as a middle school student, it hadn’t taken long for him to trade in the hollow bodies and nylon strings of tradition for the wire and wood of rock and roll. As teenagers, the two played in separate bands, eventually losing touch in the ebb and flow of an ever-changing industry. “We didn’t start hanging out again until three or four years ago,” says Alexandra. “I needed a bass player and Zach started filling in.” James would eventually move from bass to guitar and become a full-fledged member of Alexandra and the Starlight Band while continuing to play and sing for his other project, The Thunder Boys. When that effort morphed into a more solo-focused endeavor, Alexandra returned the favor, sharing vocal duties in Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes.

Harkening back to an era when the fun-loving, soul-stirring and even heart-breaking emotion of a song was adorned, but never overshadowed, by glittering sheer scarves and rhinestone-encrusted guitars, both bands serve as a dramatic departure from their punk rock predecessors. And though cut from the same cloth, each has been woven into its own unique retro design. James’ raw brand of rock and roll evokes images of The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and even a hint of Alice Cooper. His onstage bombast is matched only by his obvious song-writing prowess, raw guitar mastery, and in-your-face style. Alexandra, while clinging to her no-holds-barred rock and roll roots as well, leans toward a more soul-influenced style. Her emotional lyrics and heartfelt vocals fit hand-in-sequined glove with the likes of Tina Turner and Joss Stone, placing her among the current music industry best.

Although Zachary now splits much of his time between opening for hip-hop juggernaut Lil Wayne as the guitarist for Porcelain Black, his love for The All Seeing Eyes, as well as playing more intimate venues, is still very much intact. “I had as much fun playing Zoey’s a month ago as I do in the huge arenas,” James says. Not to be outdone, Alexandra is also working overtime, putting the final spit-shine on her yet-untitled album, for which she employed the talents of a plethora of industry greats, including Grammy-winning producer Bob Cuterella (Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Michael Jackson, Slash, Madonna) and composer Lou Forestieri, who has lent his skills to such talent as Tori Amos and Lena Horne.

Zachary will be on Late Show with David Letterman in mid-July with Porcelain Black. The band will again open for Lil Wayne beginning in September. Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes have their sights set on releasing an album and following it up with a mini-tour upon his return. Alexandra is looking at a late summer/early fall release for her upcoming album. Both bands will be playing the Bombay Bar and Grill in Ventura on Friday, July 8. For more information, check out www.zacharyjamesband.com and www.alexandraband.com. - VC Reporter

Alexandra and the Starlight Band
www.alexandraband.com
Though local loyalists may scoff at the inclusion of Alexandra and the Starlight Band on this year’s list, we’re giving the Los Angeles frontwoman kudos as an honorary local since she basically does everything in Ventura with the exception of living here. Her backup band includes locals Robin Ryder, Sam Bolle and Zachary James, she records and rehearses in Ventura, and her favorite restaurant is Corrales — ’nuff said. 2012 will see her release a hand-glittered, clear vinyl, 7-inch record and an accompanying 5-song EP. She’s got a boat load of shows booked as well this year, with many being in Ventura. In addition to her own career, Alexandra will also be doing double duty in her significant other’s backup band, Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes, where she has the ability to take a break from indie soul diva and, as she puts it, “just be a dude in the back in a T- shirt head-banging away,” which is as about as Ventura as it gets.

— Chris Jay
See Alexandra and the Starlight Band on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Good Bar. - VC Reporter

A striking beauty with outfits so gaudy that the audience might be well-advised to wear sunglasses, Alexandra will lead her Starlight Band tonight at the group's favorite local venue, the Bombay Bar & Grill in Ventura. And once again proving that nepotism rocks, Alexandra is ably assisted by her two sisters, who sing backup, and her significant other, Zach James, who plays guitar.

An art school grad and a Bruin, showing what she has learned, Alexandra comes off like Tina Turner meets Lady Gaga but on a budget. She will clearly out-dress the clientele, and three shiny girls singing is always a good thing in the rock 'n' roll biz. Clearly the alpha female, Alexandra has set her sights higher than the stage three steps inside the door of the Bombay, and confidence is a solid prerequisite in her line of work. The band has built something of a buzz with their appearances up here in the 805. Alexandra herself discussed the latest during a recent phoner.

Alexandra, how's the music biz treating you?

Going well, going well — we're playing at Bombay's. We've played there before with Zach's band (All Seeing Eyes) and Jeff Hershey & the Heartbeats.

How long have you been doing this?

I've been playing music since I was 5. I was classically trained on the violin, so I basically played that until I was a teenager, or until I discovered rock 'n' roll. Then I started messing around with guitar and I started one of my first bands when I moved to L.A. when I was, like, 17.

Where did you move from?

San Francisco.


So when the Giants come to town, whose side are you on?

(Laughs.) I play rock 'n' roll — I don't take sides.

There's a happening music scene in the Bay Area — why move down here?

I went to art school. I went to UCLA.

I went to UCLA — now I love you.

Yeah, no USC. We're on the same team after all.

I didn't learn anything at UCLA except that there's nowhere to park. How 'bout you?

The best thing about art school, I think, was that I learned how to take an idea and make it into reality, which has served me well. If I decided that I wanted a guitar that's completely covered in diamonds, I'd go out and make it. I feel that translates a lot into the props and costumes that I use on stage. Or if I wanted a diamond-encrusted mike stand, I'd go out and make it; or if I wanted a satin dress with sequin sleeves, I'd make that, too. I also met a lot of artists and creative people, so it was just good for creative thought that goes with the music.

How long has the Starlight Band been around?

Maybe about a year now? This is actually my project. I pretty much write all the music, so it's my solo thing, but before that I was in a million bands.

A bunch of girls all dolled up? That always works.

Yeah, I sing and I have two sisters — Nina and Diane Williams. They're awesome, so they sing backup. They're my starlets. But one of my first bands was with my best friend, called the Hollywood Harlots. It was kind of like Turbonegro meets the Runaways. It was all girls and really fun. Jeff Saltzman, who produced the Killers and the Sounds, and his engineer came to see us play a gig in Echo Park. It was hilarious because the act before us was this acoustic duo in a French restaurant — white tablecloths, waiters with bow ties and people quietly eating their steaks. So we set and up and it was super-loud rock 'n' roll, and I'm running across the tables, taking bites of people's steaks, tasting wine and smashing everything.

Excellent.

It was just a total mess. I poured whiskey on my face and my makeup was running everywhere. I couldn't see because I had black makeup and glitter in my eyes. So the engineer thought, "These girls are out of control — and we have to get them into the studio."


JEFF FORNEY / CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Alexandra studied art at UCLA and the skills she learned there have helped her in the rock 'n' roll world. "If I wanted a satin dress with sequin sleeves, I'd make that," she says.
When was this?

Maybe five or six years ago. So on the first day when we were playing in the studio, I accidentally stepped on a pedal, and my bass player smashed my guitar player in the face with her bass, so I had to kick her out. I had to recruit my boyfriend at the time to come in and track her part. My drummer was playing to a click track, and pretty much the whole band imploded.

Wow — that's never happened before.

So that was the old band but I've played with so many different people over the years. And then a couple of years ago I went through the worst relationship in my life.

Bad love makes for good songs, right?

Totally, so that's kind of how this project got started. I had all these personal songs about that relationship, and then meeting Zach in this transitional time going from the worst to the best or from the dark into the light. I'd wake up at 4 in the morning and run and write 'em down with every part written. That's why I decided to do the solo thin - VC Star Newspaper