Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Who says a blond from upstate New York can’t sing with soul? Lexie Cole is out to prove that she can. Billing herself as the next Teena Marie, Cole is writing and performing her thoughtful songs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Cole was raised in the Catskills in New York and then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico at age 13. Her family was not very musical, but Cole was known as the “little girl with the big voice.” She knew she wanted to be a professional singer at an early age. She took singing lessons and sang in bands, a cappella groups and musicals. Although she could sing anything, Cole was searching for a unique sound.
During the early 90’s Cole was turned off by the Seattle Grunge scene. “I really don’t like this music. What do I really like?” she wondered one day. She bought a copy of “Aretha Franklin’s 30 Greatest Hits” and played it non-stop for 3 months. Cole had found her style.
In 1996 she moved to Oakland California performing with cover bands and singing other people’s music. Then in 1999 she started writing her own lyrics. She brought the influence of Aretha and other R&B divas to her music. “Gospel, soul and funk are at the root of all things I love.” And her music is clearly influenced by it.
She calls her style of music “conscious funk” meaning that it makes you think. She likens it to the thoughtful music by singers like Lauryn Hill and Creed. “I write about my life and things that can inspire me to get out of a funk. Maybe they’ll help others. I write love songs too, but I like to go deeper into it.” For example, “What Will He Teach” is all about “the man I hope to meet and marry, if I can find him, someone who is self aware and spiritual.”
For the past two years Cole has been playing her original music at San Francisco clubs like the Red Devil Lounge, Café du Nord and the Velvet Lounge. She’s also featured at Kimball’s East Bay Area Divas and is gaining a following in San Francisco. What’s next for Lexie Cole? She’s finishing up an album tentatively titled "Nourish", in discussion to license her work for television and working on touring plans. If Aretha’s looking for a starting act, Lexie Cole is ready to go. - Rachel Sapers
Discography
Lexie's debut album "Nourish" is in the mixing stage currently! She has had tunes playing on mp3.com for the past year.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Singer/Songwriter Lexie Cole sings with so much passion and expression that audience members have been known to call out "Go, Aretha!" and "You're the next Teena Marie!" Her uninhibited singing style lacking any shred of self-consciousness is a modern-day example of true soul singing. She considers her biggest mentors to be Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight. Lexie's sound has been compared to Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers and The Gap Band. Most recently, she has been described as “Teena Marie for the new Soul movement”.
Her love of R&B/Soul, Funk and Gospel can be heard in her original music which can best be described as “Conscious Funk”. She is currently recording and producing her much anticipated debut album called “Nourish.” Being the sole lyricist, Lexie gets inspiration from the heart of human existence: Soul searching, the pursuit of truth and purpose and the knowledge that each of us deeply desires to make a difference.
Throughout her childhood and college years, Lexie honed her exceptional performing and vocal arranging skills in a cappella groups, bands, choirs and stage productions. Upon relocation to Oakland, Lexie immediately began singing in many different R&B/Soul projects. She has performed in all types of venues including Art and Wine Festivals, private parties as well as well-known clubs like the Café du Nord, The Red Devil Lounge, The Voodoo Lounge and Kimball’s East.
Her insightful lyrics and radiant spirit along with her passionate singing style make Lexie Cole an artist like no other. With Lexie's distinctive look, incredible amount of Soul combined with her songwriting skills, this star is shooting straight to the top.
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