ALEXANDRA LEAVING

Alexandra Leaving channels the spirit of ’90s rock and its boldest female voices, fusing gritty guitars with powerhouse vocals. West Midlands–raised and now London-based, her distinctive style of indie/alt rock is inspired by the likes of Wolf Alice, Sinead O’Connor and Alanis Morissette. With over 140,000 streams to her name, she’s built a reputation for her stage presence alongside her band.

Her debut EP An Exorcise in Anger, produced by Michael Smith (Wolf Alice), earned support from Chris Hawkins on BBC6 Music, BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Rock with Alyx Holcombe, KEXP, and John Kennedy on Radio X. She’s also made her mark on the live circuit with standout support slots for Permanent (Joy), The North, and Lizzie Esau.

From standout single ‘Conversation Killer’, to the more vulnerable ‘Hold The Sugar’, her music is driven by themes of defiance, resistance, and desire - resonating with those who crave something honest and uncompromising.

ROTHER STREET ARTS HOUSE JULY 16

ALEXANDRA LEAVING

WE CHATTED TO ALEXANDRA LEAVING TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR SOUND AND INFLUENCES

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ALEXANDRA LEAVING CONNECT

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?

I think a desire to express myself was there from a young age. I was always singing and dancing in the lounge, using the TV remote as a mic and making my mum endure performances. She owned a Kate Bush compilation album called ‘The Whole Story’ which I became obsessed with. I’d put on ‘Babooshka’ and shriek like a banshee to it. I loved the theatre, drama and world building of Kate - she’s undoubtedly shaped how I understand music today.

Kate Bush - Babooshka

WHAT SONG REMINDS YOU OF HOME?

At fourteen, I started gigging in pubs around the West Midlands. Cutting my teeth playing covers. So many of those places claimed to be Robert Plant’s “local”, which made me laugh! Led Zep will always remind me of my roots.

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks

WHO WERE YOUR MUSIC INFLUENCES GROWING UP?

Aside from Kate Bush, I was always drawn to guitars. In true cliché teenage fashion I dove into an emo phase (things like Green Day, Evanescence) but surfaced listening to everything from Joni Mitchell to Alanis Morissette. Hearing ‘Jagged Little Pill’ was a defining moment for me for sure.

Alanis Morissette - All I Really Want

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?

Gritty guitars with bold vocals - my mum always said I’ve got a strong set of lungs on me! There’s a pop sensibility in my writing too - I’m a sucker for a catchy chorus. One band that have always inspired me are Wolf Alice - Ellie Rowsell is a bit of a genius. It’s been amazing to watch their rise.

Wolf Alice - Smile

WHAT TRACK HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO LATELY?

I love CMAT’s new album. She’s class, a really authentic songwriter and to be honest I just want to be friends with her!

CMAT - Take A Sexy Picture of Me

WHAT IS AN UNDERRATED SONG THAT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD HEAR?

There’s a band I discovered recently called All About Eve. Their song ‘Road to Your Soul’ is incredible. It’s ethereal, dark and anthemic. Plus the lead singer is from Coventry which makes it even better !!

All About Eve - Road To Your Soul

WHAT'S A SONG YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN?

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill. Surely one of the greatest songs ever written?

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

WHAT TRACK CAPTURES YOUR MOOD ON TOUR?

‘You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, but I Feel Like A Millionaire’ by Queens of The Stone Age. My drummer Angus really got me into them - but also because on the road it’s a heady mix of feeling like a rockstar and being skint!

Queens of The Stone Age - You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, but I Feel Like A Millionaire

WHAT'S YOUR GO TO TRACK FOR GETTING IN THE ZONE PRE-SHOW?

This song works when I’m about to walk on stage in short shorts (I wonder if the boys in my band feel the same?)

Desiny's Child - Bootylicious

IF YOUR MUSIC WAS A SOUNDTRACK WHAT FILM WOULD IT BE?

It would have to be a film about a fierce woman seeking revenge - a lead character that’s a messy, impulsive but very much led by her heart. Come to think of it, I might just be describing Kill Bill?

Alexandra Leaving - These Scars

NEW LISTENERS - WHICH TRACK SHOULD THEY HEAR FIRST?

Conversation Killer. If anyone wants to know what it’s about, come to the gig in July and ask me after ;)

Alexandra Leaving - Conversattion Killer

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG YOU'VE WRITTEN?

Hold The Sugar. It’s a more introspective song, but writing it helped me process a difficult and turbulent chapter of my life. I held onto it for three years until my sister said “Al - what the hell PUT THIS SONG OUT!”. So I finally did last year.

Alexandra Leaving - Hold The Sugar