Natalie Alexander is a driven and charismatic singer who recently released a brand new single titled “Cruel”. The song is a great example of Natalie’s magnetic personality and talent. She shines brightly for her emotional and dynamic vocal range, as well as for her immediacy and character. “Cruel” is a particularly special song, because it seamlessly embodies the intimacy of modern country music and the fresh appeal of pop, under one roof.
The song’s rhythm section is fueled by a really engaging drum beat, which locks in perfectly with the melodic lines of the tune. To top it off, Natalie’s vocals reign above the background music beautifully. Her singing is clear and intelligible, yet passionate and down to earth. The song’s production aesthetics are punchy and crisp, adding a great sense of depth and width to the music. The great thing about this production is that it feels elegant and organic, with a “true” sound that feels like a genuine performance, rather than a sterile studio track. “Cruel” is undoubtedly an amazing demonstration of talent from Natalie, and we can’t wait to hear more!
Growing up in Santa Cruz, California, Natalie credits being surrounded music from a young age for her love of singing and performing. Growing up with a mother who was classically trained in vocals, and brothers who had a rock band, she learned to play the piano at a very young age. During her school years, Natalie kept her love for music private, only revealing her talent to her peers when performing with a friend at a talent show during her junior year of High School. Despite her nerves, she ultimately knew it was the moment she fell in love with performing. Finding inspiration through storytelling, Natalie cites Carrie Underwood as her biggest influence. Emulating Carrie’s strong female voice and powerful storytelling, she hopes to make people feel something with her music.
We had an opportunity to chat with Natalie. Check out the interview and song “Cruel” below.
Hi, Natalie! We love the song, Cruel. Tell us what inspired the song?
Thank you! That song’s message was something I wanted to be able to share. I think the cycle of hurting other people like you’ve been hurt is very common, making the message of the song really relatable – which is one of the most important things for me as an artist. I like that it has such a strong message but musically is incredibly uplifting and powerful.
Tell us about the recording process!
I recorded my EP over 2 days. It was actually my first time ever in a studio – so the learning process was something I had to do pretty quickly! The songs themselves were so strong that I wanted to make sure it did them justice. I’m really proud of the final product and I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed creating it.
We see your genre is Country, and Carrie Underwood is one of your biggest influences. How would you describe your sound?
Growing up, Carrie Underwood was one of the artists I enjoyed singing the most, so I think that has influenced my sound and the songs I’m drawn to. My voice I would say has a pure, youthful sound to it. My sound is something that I’m still experimenting with and I’m excited to explore as I write, record and perform more.
You kept your love for music very private at first. Tell us how you overcame that.
I think I just got to a point where I had figured out a way to make my passion for music part of my life and recording this EP happened really naturally. So when everything fell into place I realized I couldn’t keep what I was doing private like I had been. I’m so blessed to have such supportive friends who were excited for me when my music came out. That made it easy!
Growing up, what songs inspired you?
Taylor Swift was always a huge inspiration for me when I was younger. I remember hearing “Our Song” for the first time, playing it in my CD player off her album with the holographic cover. I also have always loved Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” My dad and I love Aerosmith, we saw them in concert together when I was 10. Their song “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” was always a favorite of mine and has definitely influenced me musically.
Do you draw from personal experiences to create your music?
Absolutely. My feeling is, if I can’t relate to my own music, how could I expect others to? There is an intimacy in music that I appreciate – being able to share stories in such an emotional way. I want that emotion to be genuine, so naturally, the feeling behind what I create comes from something in my own life I’ve experienced.
What is your most favorite experience in your career to date?
This is super small, but when I released my first single “Cruel,” some of my friends sent me a Snapchat of them all singing to it in the car and it was so special to me. Being a karaoke lover myself, I send people snap chats of me singing a long to songs all the time, but this was the first time I saw other people singing MY song. It honestly made my day.
List the 5 things you need to have with you on a stage.
Mic, water, my guitar, in-ear monitor, and a great outfit!
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
My EP was just released so I’m doing a lot with that now, but be sure to follow me on Instagram so I can stay connected with you and keep you updated on my future projects. @nataliealexandermusic
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to change anything, I would change ___________.
The amount of animals there are without homes!!
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Connect with Natalie:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nataliealexandermusic
Web: https://www.nataliealexandermusic.com
Featured Image Credit: Brandon Showers.
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