We recently connected with LEX and have shared our conversation below.
LEX, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from my parents mostly. Just remembering how they made it happen. Both my parents grew up in Jersey, worked hard to create the life they wanted, and set that example for me. If I ever doubted myself, they’d probably laugh and be like, “Lex, c’mon then, what the f*ck?” So, giving up has never been an option. Learning the lesson, seeing it through, showing up for yourself, whatever the case… It’s a “just do it, figure it out” mindset. At the end of the day, it’s like, that’s all you can do. Especially if you want something bad enough. You either hustle through or stay the same—you can’t get where you want by remaining where you are.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a singer and songwriter. Most of what I make falls under R&B, but I’m influenced from so many genres. My favorite thing about music is that it makes you feel something. Unlike any other feeling in the world, there’s this almost unexplainable physical and emotional response. It still leaves me speechless sometimes. That response is really important to me when I create music. I don’t know that I’ve mastered it quite yet, but it’s a feeling I chase. I choose to make music that feels true to me and the season I’m in. I really like to be intentional about what I say, how I say it, and even the sound selection in my songs. I would say it’s bigger than the music, but the music is kind of the everything. The music is the music, if that makes sense.
I’m really excited about my music because, honestly, I’m still at the very beginning of my career, and I have no idea what to expect. I kind of just have this landing place that I picture in my head, but I don’t necessarily know the scenes leading up to it. And that’s exciting for me. It’s even more exciting to think about how my music will evolve over the next few years, working with new people, going through new life experiences, and just everything that’s in store for me. I kind of love the unknown, even though I’m equally anxious about it, but it’s a good kind of anxiousness because I have a lot of faith in God and myself.
I do have something coming that I’m excited about, because I have no idea how people are going to take it. It’s not something that I planned or would typically talk about off rip, but it’s happening. I’m very curious and anxious to see how people react. I really don’t know how it’s going to go, but it definitely ties into this idea of resilience we’re talking about. I won’t say too much because I tend to yap, but I am pretty excited about it. I think it might help a few people, hopefully a lot of people. I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think it’s so important for artists nowadays to grab onto any technical skill they can. Whether it’s making their own beats, recording themselves, being about their business and learning the industry… It’s so important to be self-sufficient or at least well-informed in more than one area. These days it’s like independent artists have to wear every single hat, which is hella unrealistic and a lot of pressure, but somehow we’re doing it. And it really helps to add to the tool belt.
I studied engineering and production in college, and spend a loooot of hours in the studio, so I’ve gotten really comfortable with audio. I’m engineering myself more and more these days since a lot of my co-creators are in Atlanta and Boston and I’m in New York. It can be hard to learn a new skill or take on another role, but you don’t have to master it for real. Just starting is something. Have grace with yourself, because you’re only leveling up. Also, comparison is the thief of joy!!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
A challenge I face is the behind-the-scenes work. I’ve felt the most stumped when it comes to shaping my art—taking something straight off the dome and having to tweak it to make it more digestible for others. It’s something I’ve had to learn, it’s like carving an idea from clay into a sculpture. Because my music is more commercial, I rewrite, rework… I’m a Pisces and honestly I feel very deeply! The obstacles that trip me up the most aren’t the practical ones—they’re the ones that pop up during my more vulnerable moments as an artist. It’s a skill I’ve had to develop; learning to refine my work without losing its essence.
It can be difficult, but I’ve also found a beautiful spot in the in-between! I experiment a lot with this balance in my unreleased music—sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t—but it’s all part of my growth and evolution. How do I push through it? I just have to. There isn’t necessarily a “how”—I just keep going, keep working. It’s my faith, and the undeniable understanding that music is my greater purpose. No matter how frustrated or critical I might feel at times, it’s something I can’t shake. Even on the hardest nights, it’s still there, still a part of me, and I love it too much to walk away. It’s almost like instinct. And like many things, I can only get better.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexjanell/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lexjanell
- Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lex/1694194272
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wfhuuo2j4vADrkhSCFx72?si=BM6UXljQSDGGw7hTEHtevg
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lexjanell?lang=en
Image Credits
Dumb Malaika Menakaya Carlos (C.Lo.Serves) Jared Harris (Carlin’s Vision)
