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
WHO WERE YOUR MUSIC INFLUENCES GROWING UP?
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.
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.
Kate Bush - Babooshka
Alanis Morissette - All I Really Want