How Alexandra Kay Embraced Her Full Truth for Debut Album, All I’ve Ever Known
Many fans of multi-talented country artist Alexandra Kay have been following her since 2011 when she auditioned on American Idol, and today, the singer-songwriter has come full circle with today's independent release of her debut album, All I've Ever Known.
Consisting of 11 heartfelt tracks, this is Alexandra's most honest work yet, putting her vocals—delicate yet raw and powerful—front and center as she shares her experiences over the last 10 years via music. It's been a period of ups and downs, from leaving a decade-long relationship to moving to a new place and putting more focus on her music, and we adore the way it comes together between the album's first song and its last. Alexandra is also heading on a U.S. tour, starting Nov. 1 with 34 stops along the way, and we got the chance to chat with her all about what the new album means to her and what to expect from her upcoming shows.
Sweety High: What does the album title All I've Ever Known mean to you? Why did that title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?
Alexandra Kay: As soon as we wrote "All I've Ever Known," I thought to myself, I think this is as honest as I've ever been—not only with myself but with others about how I was feeling. That's what I wanted this album to be, just me living my full truth for once. This album is a culmination of who I was, who I always thought I'd be and who I've become. The life I lived these past 10 years fit me for a while, but then again, did it ever? Or was it just All I've Ever Known?
SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?
AK: The album has a lot of rock influence sonically, with both soft/sweet and powerhouse vocals. I think it's the most diverse I've been musically, and although it may not be three chords, it is definitely the truth, and that's the epitome of country music. I hope fans take away whatever they need from this record. At my most broken, I felt there has to be some good that comes out of this, and with every person sobbing with me in the crowd as they sing these words they've been holding in their hearts, I know we are healing together. So, take it, pick these songs apart and keep what you need and leave what you don't, and we'll get through it all together.
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SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?
AK: I have been working with Andrew Capra for almost four years and have said every one of those years that one day we would make an album together—and I'm so happy it is this one! Andrew knows my sound knows where I'm comfortable and he pushed me outside of that box as often as possible for this project. We were really fearless when it came to this record. We crossed genre lines, and you can really hear a lot of different influences. In the track "Easy" you can really hear a rock influence, and "I Can Do Anything" is my version of a George Strait song. My band played on a lot of these tracks which was really special, and I got to work with Jason Massey and Andrew Baylis for production as well and they actually both co-writers of tracks on the album as well.
SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you all are in life right now?
AK: They represent where I am in life because they are basically a complication of journal entries from this past year. My life is completely different from what I ever thought it would be, and that was a very uncomfortable transition for me. Leaving a relationship I was in for over a decade, living on my own for the first time in my life—new town, new people, more shows, less time, etc. I was like a fish out of water. I don't think I could have gotten through it without writing these songs. Although I'm in a much better place now and am definitely well into my healing journey from it all it is really comforting to see the good that is coming from this all of this.
SH: What's your favorite song on the album? Why?
AK: "Everleave" for so many reasons, but to sum it up, this was the first song I wrote where I was truly honest with myself and how I have been feeling for the past few years in my relationship. That song just kind of fell out of me, and it wasn't until I listened back that I realized, wow I really did hold on for longer than I should have, but as I can say I tried my best. To hear the overwhelming response from others living through that same experience has been incredible.
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SH: Was there anything that surprised you about the process of recording and putting together your debut album?
AK: I was constantly surprised, constantly perplexed and always creatively stimulated and stressed beyond belief! It was everything I thought it would be and more and I'm so proud of it.
SH: How are you feeling about releasing it to the world?
AK: Honestly? Terrified, lol, and excited and nervous and grateful and humbled and all of the things. I have done a great deal of healing over the past year and finally getting to share the songs that healed me has been really scary because in a way it almost feels like I'm opening up an old wound. I feel very exposed, but that's how I know we wrote the right way. if there even is a right way, this is it!
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
AK: My debut album tour, All I've Ever Known: The Tour, kicks off Nov. 1 to Dec. 22 with over half the tour sold a week before its kickoff. I am just so excited to scream these songs with everyone live. There is something so healing about live music, and I'm just ready. Let's go!
Listen to the album in full here:
For more on our favorite new country albums, click HERE to read our interview with Restless Road on their debut album, Last Rodeo.