Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Alexa Swinton

Alexa Swinton has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most versatile young talents. She’s graced the screen in projects like Mythos, Emergence, and Billions and is showing off a new side to her artistry this year as a singer-songwriter. Pop Culturalist caught up with Alexa to learn more about her career and her debut single, “You, Me, And My Purple Docs.”

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Alexa: I discovered my passion for the arts through my mom. At a young age, my mom noticed that I loved to put on a show. I was always dancing. I played make-believe a lot, which is important for actors and singers when they’re telling a story. She got me some auditions and found me a manager. She’s been a great manager my whole life. My entire family is very creative. We encourage creativity in our house a hundred percent. My parents would let me play Roblox or Sims 4 as long as I was creatively active. I was put into a Roblox where I had to create a business as a class. It was really fun.

I worked with a friend and we made a virtual cafe, which is low-key crazy. We’re going to release a cafe on August 30. We had to hire a business manager, descriptor, and a builder. The descriptor codes the game. The builder made the whole thing. We had to make the whole interior, everything. It was very hard because in the end, they all quit. We had to do all the jobs ourselves.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a singer. Is it ever a challenge to manage the different sides to your artistry? Is there one that you gravitate towards?
Alexa: I love both sides so much. I wanted to be an actor my entire life, but I’ve always wanted to be a singer too. I love people like Ariana Grande, Dove Cameron, and Meryl Streep who have sung and acted in movie musicals or Disney shows with music in it. It’s really cool because they’re amazing. I love Mamma Mia!, which Meryl was in. She’s such a rock star.

PC: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an actress that you’ve been able to apply to your music career and vice versa?
Alexa: Storytelling is something that I brought from acting into my music. A song is a story. It’s like taking a book and making lyrics and music out of them. It’s something that I took from acting and put into my songs like “Purple Docs.” The storyline is waking up and feeling empowered then going out and making a change because I want to.

PC: What was the process like putting together “You, Me, And My Purple Docs”?
Alexa: Dawn Elder and I worked together to write the song. We started off with an idea. She was like, “What’s something that makes you feel really good about yourself?” I thought straight away my purple Dr. Martens—they’re very special to me. They’re sparkly, purple, and they’re very different. When I put them on, I feel like I can do anything. We decided to test that out and make a whole song out of it.

PC: Did Dawn share any words of wisdom with you?
Alexa: One thousand percent. Dawn has worked with so many people. She has so much experience that she shares with you. She explains what is happening and why. She’s exposed me to so many artists. I’ve gone from Marshmello to Norah Jones to Joni Mitchell. I’ve learned a lot. She helps you create songs that are best for your voice.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the rest of the year look like for you? Can we expect more music?
Alexa: Yes! We’ll be releasing another song called “Happy as I Want to Be” at some point. I might be in a new movie, and we’re working on a new song. This song is with my mom, which is really cool.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Alexa: I think people would be surprised to know that I listen to a darker style of music. I have an older sister, Ava, who is thirteen. Through her, I learn about music that I might otherwise not discover. I love “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots and “anxiety” by blackbear.

I also love listening to all sorts of music that’s on Gacha, which is an anime-style animated mini moviemaker site. I discover a lot of music there. I have been creating my own stories in anime style. I just started a little YouTube channel where I am posting them. I love my playlist. A few songs at the top of that list are “Learn to Fly” by Surfaces and Elton John, “Sit Still, Look Pretty” by Daya, “Masterpiece” by Jessie J, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train, and “Liar” by Camila Cabello.

PC: First album you bought or streamed?
Alexa: 1989 by Taylor Swift

PC: First concert you attended?
Alexa: I haven’t seen a concert per se, but I’ve seen lots of concerts in the theater—for example, Kinky Boots, School of Rock, Spider-Man, and Something Rotten! Shakespeare was played as if he were a rock star!

My family and I have gone to many classical music concerts and to operas. I’ve seen The Magic Flute by Mozart there. Mozart is also a rock star.

We actually like to hear some local cover bands in New Jersey play at the Jersey Shore. I’m a Jersey girl! One of my mom’s friends is David Fagin, who is an amazing musician. His band, the Counterfeiters, is a summer staple at the shore. He even let me, my sister, and brother sing with the band sometimes. I think we did “Coming to America” by Neil Diamond.

To keep up with Alexa, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “You, Me, And My Purple Docs” today. All proceeds from the track are going to Reach Out and Read.

Photo Credit: Emily Assiran