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Alexa Ray Joel on staying independent
Photo credit: Photo by Gina Tomitz
After Alexa Ray Joel self-released her debut EP “Sketches” in 2006, industry observers figured it was only a matter of time before the singer-songwriter signed to a major label. But Joel says, despite the industry connections of her parents Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, she’s in no hurry. Newsday’s Robert Kahn caught up to her at the Fashion Night Out event at the Elie Tahari boutique in SoHo.
Why haven't you signed with a label?
They're all a little afraid of me, I think, because I'm such a control freak. I think they'd want to have more of a controlled team around me, which is fine, but I want to be still in charge of the music, and it's really hard to find a label that's going to support that. Also, I'm also not ... I'm not a googie-gooide, but I'm not this total pop tart-type of artist, either. So I think they don't know where to box me in yet. I have songs that are pop, that are very commercial, and I have songs that are in the jazz realm. So I think it's kind of hard to label me, to put me in that box.
Sure, if it could be on my terms, and I felt they were really interested in me for the right reasons. When my dad first signed, it was very much about developing artists. 'Cold Spring Harbor' wasn't a big hit, but they stuck with him, because they believed in his talent and artistry. Nowadays, you have one album that doesn't do well and they drop you. .... So it's a little scary, and I'd rather be in a situation where it's long term as opposed to some quick thing I rush into. ... I get a lot of offers. I still want to get myself out there more, and I'm trusting that will come as I keep working. It's hard.
PHOTO: Alexa Ray Joel by Gina Tomitz for Newsday.
Tags: Alexa Ray Joel , Billy Joel
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