Streetsound Euro NRG (Canada)
Interview conducted by Troy Matthews- Feb '99
Three times, this is my fourth time.
How do Canadian crowds respond to your performances, compared to others around the world?
I think they react very well! Maybe because there are a lot of Italians here, but I always found a good reaction in Canada. I can't say it's very different from other parts of the world, because when you have a song that is famous, and everyone knows who you are, it's easy to get a good feeling from the crowd. So I've always had a good feeling in Canada. I really, really like Canadian audiences because they definitely want to have fun! For instance, in Spain, they are crazy!
As you know, your music has always been popular in Canada - since "Me & You" and even before that on your songs with Ice MC. How do you feel about all this success you've been having for the last 5 years or so?
When I started with Ice MC I knew that I would like to be a solo singer, but I knew that I would have to work hard. I knew that I had a good voice, good producer behind me (Robyx - aka. Roberto Zanetti from DWA Records/Italy). But I always knew that I had to work hard to build a career. After "Me & You" and "Summer Is Crazy", I was afraid, because after two solo singles like that you can't say, okay, I have a career. It's not enough. After that we did "Number One" … it was so-so in Italy which is my home country, and I said, "oh my God". So we said, let's take a risk, let's take a chance. We changed it to sound different from "Me & You" and the other songs because the original version was an R&B song, so we took the risk and changed the sound of the song, and then we got signed with Sony Music! I think that my career really started when I signed with Sony Music. Today I am here, and I think I have to work more and more! I believe that when you achieve something, it doesn’t mean it will last forever. I am happy because I love my job and it is part of my life.
When did you begin performing in clubs?
I started performing in clubs when I was 19 years old. When I finished school, I was looking for a band so that I could earn more money. So I found a band and I started working with them - almost like a joke - I was 19 years old. Then soon after that I left the band and I built my own, and I did music I preferred. Before, I used to play classical Italian music, then I said, no no! I wanted to do the music I like which is dance music.
How did you meet up with Roberto Zanetti - Robyx - from DWA in 1990?
Roberto was a musician with a band (Savage) which was in competition with my band around the year 1987. Zanetti was already famous and he left his band. He was a keyboard player and a singer, and then he started building his career as a producer. I met him because he was looking for a vocalist. The drum player [in my band] was very close to Roberto Zanetti and he said, okay, we have a singer, and she is very professional, she is very in-tune, you can try here. We were all in a club together one time and he asked for my telephone number… on the next Monday we were in his studio trying to sing, and he said "okay - you sound good, we can start working together". Then we built everything slowly … he's very shy and I'm very shy as well. That's why we get along so well.
What are the dynamics like when the two of you are working together?
I think it is a strange thing because we talk so little. We just communicate with signs on our faces. If I smile, or if I start dancing, then it's something magical that starts to happen. Sometimes it doesn't happen and we begin to get worried, and we wonder what's happening between us, is something wrong? Maybe I'm tired or he's tired, so I take a rest or he takes a holiday.
Your new CD is called "The Party" and so far you've had two singles from it. "Gimme Love" and "The Music I Like". What's the next single?
I think it is "Keep On Movin'" … it is already out in Italy and the rest of Europe.
From the CD, do you have a personal favorite?
Yes, "Crazy For You". It is a slow song … it is quite different from the others. I am always singing the faster dance tracks, so I think it is natural that I prefer something that is different. The voice can work easier - you can express yourself better. Also, "Crazy For You" is one of the songs that both Roberto and I prefer. It is one of the songs that came out really easily!
I notice on the CD's writing credits that both you and Roberto share the job. Who does what during the songwriting process?
He writes the music, he starts singing the melody, then I start singing the melody as well. Then I say, okay, change this, change that - get higher, lower … then I write the lyrics. It's hard because it's not my first language, but I really, really love it!
I also notice in the CD's liner notes that you thank your father, who has passed away. If he was alive today, how do you think he would feel about your success?
(sighs) I would like to share with him everything. I would like to share with him my money, because he spent a lot of money for me when I was younger and dreaming of my success and my career. So I would like to buy him a very expensive and big car!
What a good daughter!
Yes! But I also think that he is taking care and looking after me every day. After his death, my career started going up [exponentially]. However, at first, I thought that I was fucked (laughs) … my father passed away, my job was currently in a very difficult moment, my mother and my sister were very upset. I think that his light started shining on me from that day of his death, and I think he's having a lot of fun, because he was also a very beautiful man [inside and out]. He was a singer as well, but just for fun.
He's like your guardian angel now.
Yes, that's the word, my guardian angel.
What do you enjoy the most about being a popular dance music star?
Traveling the world, meeting different people every day, getting the opportunity to talk in English - because that is one of my goals in life. One day, I want to meet my first English teacher and talk with her, and say, "you don't understand anything … I speak English, you don't!". She was very, very bad with me in school - once she gave me a very stupid mark in class, because she thought I didn't know English. So that's one of my goals! I think she hated me at the time, because I was already singing in English very well at the time - but when you have to do the lessons it doesn't look good. Give me a break! I think she was jealous.
What do you not like about the business?
The work is tiring because of all the travel. One day you are in the Philippines, and the other day in Australia, then Argentina, then Brazil. It's very hard - you see your face with strange spots. It's very hard on your neck and your back.
What is your favorite song on the radio right now?
I like "Thank U" - Alanis Morrisette, and "When You Believe" - Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, Brittany Spears, and I love for years the song "Iris" by the Goo-Goo Dolls.
Your voice is SO perfect for the Europop sound. In the future, will you still make more and more songs with the Eurodance flavor?
I am going to change a little bit from dance to pop - but not too much because I don't want to say goodbye to the first Alexia sound, you know? I have a lot of fun singing dance, but I think it is good to make a little change, but not too far. One day I would like to sing something slower for the [older crowd], because I don't think I can sing dance music for the young people as I get older as well. I think the change will be natural.
Thank you very much!
You're welcome, and thank you.
