Singer/songwriter Bexley had a momentous year in 2019. First off, she released her debut album, Lost In The Moment. She wrote the album and her latest release, “Misfit Love” with Aaron Edwards (Sick Puppies, Black Veil Brides, Rivals). Edwards helped her to finish her collection of songs that would become her album.
Bexley had over 200K total for stream and downloads on all platforms, achieving what she called a new level of personal success. Furthermore, the LA-based singer started playing in small clubs to no one in the audience. But with the support of co-workers and friends, she would over time, end up playing in small clubs with an audience.
She also played guitar for the iconic Gwen Stefani at an iHeart event. For Bexley to play on stage with Stefani, whom she had listened to her entire life, was an incredible experience.
Bexley would wrap up 2019 with a signed deal with MGM Distribution, known as “the largest independent digital and physical distributor of Australian music and music-related merchandise worldwide.”
I interviewed Bexley in-depth via email (prior to the pandemic) about her debut EP, streaming strategy, playing guitar for Gwen Stefani, signing with Boss, Roland, and MGM distribution, her favorite guitar to perform with, how to grow an audience, and much more.
Congratulations on what a successful year 2019 was for you! First off, you released your debut EP, Lost in the Moment, in January. What was your level of involvement in the making or production of it?
Thank you! I was involved throughout the entire process starting from the beginning. The EP was a collection of songs that I had started and brought to my producer Aaron Edwards who worked on finishing them with me. Together we really created the Bexley sound, and that was a fun process because it was a debut into the music world where we could make it sound however we wanted. I played almost all the instrumentation with exception to the drums. Aaron really pushed me to push myself in being a songwriter and a musician.
On all platforms, downloads and streaming of your music reached an impressive total of 200,000. What did you learn from the experience of achieving this “new level of personal success”?
I learned that it takes a whole lot of hard work!! I’m very grateful for the people who consistently stream my music and support what I do. And I’m just starting, it’s only up from here.
Take me through the strategy for achieving that many streams. If you didn’t have a strategy, how were you able to accomplish this?
We really pushed the music and especially “Run Rabbit Run” to a lot of people so that as many ears as possible could hear it. I also think a lot had to do with preparing myself with marketing and making my brand look good. Then luck plays a role as well, the people have to like my music and that’s always up in the air. But if you are prepared when luck strikes then you can capitalize on that.
Explain your production process.
It varies from song to song, but generally, I will write a song or riff on acoustic guitar and try to produce it out from there. We end up tracking bass and then playing electric guitars experimenting with pedals and effects to see what will stick. Basically production is code for experimenting until you get it right!
Who were the amazing people you wrote songs with? How did you get those opportunities?
I wrote the EP Lost in the Moment and Misfit Love with Aaron Edwards. We met a few years ago through a mutual friend and our styles just clicked. I think it’s partially because we’re both from Washington and have a dark side, but he just really pushes me to be a better musician and I love that about him.
Explain your songwriting process.
The songwriting process happens just a couple of steps prior to the production process. Every song is different but most of the time I’ll get inspiration from something someone said, or a phrase that sticks in my mind. Of course, I draw on personal experiences as well.
Tell us how playing gigs in small clubs to no one lead to gigs in small clubs with an audience.
From my experience, people love to hear live music. When I came to LA I didn’t really know anybody, so when we started gigging I mostly just invited people from work. One person would come, and then the next show they’d bring some friends, and then the next show we’d have a crowd! Being social is part of the music world, even if you’re shy like me.
You played guitar for the iconic Gwen Stefani at an iHeart event last year. Explain how you got this fabulous gig and what it was like?
That was an incredible experience! It really was just knowing the right people at the right time when they needed someone. I’d never done anything like that before so it was a real treat for me to be on stage with someone I’ve listened to my whole life.
You signed a deal with MGM Distribution, “the largest independent digital and physical distributor of Australian music and music-related merchandise in the world”, at the end of last year. How did that come about?
Yes! They are wonderful people. I made connections with JY Martineau, John Taglioli, and Russell Thomas who have helped me tremendously and continue to do so. They knew the people at MGM so we took a shot presenting my stuff and they ended up loving the music! We’re all a team with the goal of spreading the music to as many people as we can.
You also became an artist for Boss (bossfx_us) and Roland US (@roland_us). Boss is known for “putting the stomp in stompbox” and is the guitar division for Roland US. How did you get these opportunities?
This story is my favorite. I put a video on Instagram playing an Audioslave song during a part that Tom Morello makes a funny sound. I was using my Super Shifter pedal that Boss use to make and tagged them. Someone from their office saw it and reached out to me, they invited me to come in, and the rest is history!
What is your favorite guitar to play or perform with and why?
I love playing my Yamaha Revstar 820CR. It carries weight behind it and does exactly what I need it to do. I’m not a virtuoso guitarist by any means but I need an instrument that can rock hard and the Revstar definitely does the job.
What has been your biggest challenge so far in your music career? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge in my music career is getting out of my own way. It’s an ongoing challenge that I work on every day. In a world full of musicians trying to achieve the same thing as you, it’s hard to see all the little achievements you make over time.
It’s a very long process even for “overnight sensations” that can fill you with doubt. But in the end, I remember that I do it because it makes me happy and we just keep pushing forward.
How do you think women artists can be better supported in the indie music industry?
I believe that women artists are better supported when we support one another instead of looking at it like a competition. We all want to succeed and when we work together we are much stronger.
I also think guitar companies are starting to realize that women make up basically half of the population, so marketing is pushing toward female players now and it’s great!
What projects are you working on for this year?
This year I am focused on releasing more music.
Thank you, Bexley, for the opportunity to interview you.
You can stream/download Bexley’s latest single, “Misfit Love” via this link.
Connect with Bexley on Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Website