“Fans want to feel something when listening to my music, and I try my best to bring them in on personal events and intimate details so that feeling can be shared,” shares Alexa Goldie, the country singer-songwriter who has an uncanny knack for weaving her personal experiences seamlessly into her melodies. At the heart of Alexa lies an artist who believes in rawness and authenticity. And drawing from her life’s stories, her songs are reflections of her heart’s journey.
Even if you’re not a country fan, her new release “Set in Stone” possesses the power to touch your soul. It’s perhaps Alexa’s genuine charm, combined with her undeniable talent, that gives her songs a universal appeal. As I listened to “Set in Stone,” I found Alexa’s effervescence infectious. And it’s probably her fervor, combined with her resonating vocals, that makes you inadvertently sway, becoming lost in the uplifting rhythm that’s impossible to resist.
With her roots in Nashville, Alexa’s sound is shaped by the city’s rich melange of music and culture. “... the music that gets the most attention is the music that is honest, raw and personal,” she reflects, hinting at the essence that defines her musical journey.
In our interview, we delve deep into the story behind “Set in Stone,” her personal reflections, and her experiences teaching the next generation of music enthusiasts.
Photography by Marilyn Taylor
Congratulations on the release of “Set in Stone!” Can you share with us the story behind the song and what inspired you to write it?
Set In Stone is a song for all of the engaged/married couples out there! The song takes you through personal events in my life such as getting a plastic ring from my first boyfriend, being given a gold ring from my grandma and then finding the right person that makes you want to settle down and wear a diamond! During the last year singing in Nashville, I have met hundreds of bachelorette parties and brides, so I was inspired to release a song that would make bridal parties dance and show off their rings!
The single takes us on a journey of your personal dating life. How was it baring such intimate details for your listeners?
I love giving intimate details of my life to my listeners! I grew up listening to Taylor Swift on repeat, which taught me to be vulnerable and truthful with your lyrics. Fans want to feel something when listening to my music, and I try my best to bring them in on personal events and intimate details so that feeling can be shared.
How was the experience of collaborating with Nicole Croteau and Andrew Hall in the songwriting process?
Set In Stone was the first song I had written with Andrew and Nicole, and I couldn’t be more thankful for them! Nicole came into the write with the title idea “Set In Stone” but didn’t know where she wanted to take it. I had mentioned that all of my friends back home were getting engaged and thought it would be fun to add some personal ties to it! We also discussed how fun it would be to have bachelorette parties on Broadway singing along and girls flashing their rings on TikTok to the song lyrics! I tend to sway toward writing slower ballads but thankfully Andrew demoed a quick upbeat track to keep it up tempo!
“I write songs that I know would make the younger me proud. I try to focus on releasing music that will make young girls feel something.”
The music video was shot on a farm in Franklin. Can you share a memorable experience from the shoot?
If you watch the music video, you will see how beautiful Tennessee is. Besides the view, a memorable experience during the shoot was the chickens! Because we were filming on a farm, they had chickens and I am terrified of chickens! When we were taking some b-roll, the owner of the farm let the chickens out! Let’s just say…I embarrassed myself by screaming when I came within 50 feet of the loose chickens!
How did you ensure that the video represented the essence of the song?
I wanted to keep the music video playful, romantic and relatable. I think we (including the producer/editor Andrew Scholz) accomplished that with adding in the actors; from sitting on the front porch, to driving down a backroad, to ending in a proposal, I have a feeling that many couples can connect to the storyline of the video.
With your career rooted in Nashville, a hub for country music, how has the city influenced your sound and musical journey?
Living in Nashville, I’ve learned that there is no one way to write, produce or release your music. Everything you do, has to be authentic to you. Before moving to Nashville, I thought if I wrote songs that were similar to ones on the radio, that my music would automatically soar. I learned very quickly that was not true. By going to writers rounds and listening to the amount of talent in this city, I’ve learned that the music that gets the most attention is the music that is honest, raw and personal. Plus, it’s more fun to release music that sounds different than the songs you hear on the radio!
“I learned that this industry is not easy and it takes years of hard work and dedication.”
Country music often tells stories about heritage, roots, and tradition. What do you believe sets country music apart from other genres in conveying these narratives?
What drew me to country music was the storytelling and the way a song about heartbreak could make me cry at 10 years old. I remember listening to songs by Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, Deana Carter and crying because of the raw lyrics and the way it made me feel. Even though I was too young to date, I was able to feel everything from the happy songs about love, to the sad songs about heartbreak. I never felt that way when listening to other genres. There is a sense of community and tradition in country music; you can feel it. I believe there is still focus on tradition, roots and heritage in country music because of the great country musicians that paved the way for us; Loretta Lynn, Naomi Judd and many more.
Live performances are integral to country music, with its rich history of barn dances, honky-tonks, and festivals. Do you have a favorite memory from performing live that captures the spirit of country music?
After performing on Broadway, downtown Nashville, I’ve learned that all audiences love a good foot-stomping, line dancing song, however, there is one memory I will never forget. When performing on Broadway, us singers are used to rowdy crowds requesting the most popular country songs. This past year, it was a Saturday and I was performing at Luke Bryan’s bar. The bar was packed and loud. I had a young man come up to me and request an original song. He didn’t ask for a specific one, so I played my slow ballad, Not My Own. The bar went silent, so much that you could hear a pin drop. It was a feeling I had never felt, to have a full bar of country music fans staring at me and listening to my song, in pure silence. On the hard days, I remember that day.
In the ever-evolving music industry, how do you stay authentic and true to your roots?
I write songs that I know would make the younger me proud. Although everything in this industry is constantly changing and there are always people telling you how you need to change and who you need to be, I try to focus on releasing music that will make young girls feel something; just like Taylor Swift and so many other artists did for me.
“What drew me to country music was the storytelling… There is a sense of community and tradition in country music; you can feel it.”
Looking back, is there a particular moment in your career that you consider a turning point?
In 2019, I was invited to perform at the Listening Room Cafe with my mentor/friend Jenn Bostic. I went into the show not knowing how big of a deal that stage was or how insanely talented the other writers were going to be. Performing that night and hearing how talented everyone was grounded me real quick. When living in a small town, I think it can be easy to think you are the best at what you do. I was quickly humbled when hearing how insanely talented those writers were. This was my turning point. I learned that this industry is not easy and it takes years of hard work and dedication.
I read in a previous interview that, apart from your music career, you’ve been teaching music lessons to children in your community. What motivated you to take on this role?
When I younger, my parents put me into music lessons and every teacher that I had focused on theory or opera music, which made me stray away from music. All I wanted to do was write and sing country music. Eventually I found Michael George, who taught me how to play the guitar, piano and song write. Having a teacher like him, made me see how important listening to the needs of students is. I started my teaching school in 2016 and have had the pleasure of working with over 120 local children. My goal when teaching is to give them guidance, performance opportunities and to be someone who listens to what they want to learn.
And have any of your students shown promise or interest in pursuing a music career like yours?
Yes! I have quite a few of students who have mentioned their interest in becoming a singer or a songwriter. I’ve held some songwriting camps over the years and it is always great to see how talented these young kids are.
Where do you see yourself in about 10 years?
In 10 years, I envision stepping into the circle at the Grand Ole Opry, opening up on tour for an artist like Carley Pearce and having a song hit Top 50 on country radio!
Follow Alexa Goldie for more:
www.alexagoldie.com
www.instagram.com/alexagoldiemusic
www.facebook.com/AlexaGoldieMusic
twitter.com/alexagoldie
