Start Listening To: Alex Izenberg
Unveiling the timeless sound of Alex Izenberg and his latest album Alex Izenberg & The Exiles.
Introducing Alex Izenberg, an enigmatic singer-songwriter from Los Angeles whose music captures the essence of a bygone era while resonating deeply with contemporary listeners. Known for his introspective lyrics and lush, expansive soundscapes, Izenberg has carved a niche in the indie music scene with his distinctive style and heartfelt compositions.
In this Q&A, Alex delves into the inspirations and creative processes behind his latest album, Alex Izenberg & The Exiles. He shares insights into his collaboration with veteran producer Phil Ek, the deliberate and thoughtful approach he took in crafting this album, and the significant contributions from his longtime friend and primary collaborator, Greg Hartunian. Alex also opens up about the mystical, communal glow of his music, the stories behind his lead singles, and the intricate string arrangements with Cynthia Tolson that add a layer of drama and sincerity to his work.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
My name is Alex, I am from Los Angeles and I like to write songs and produce them. I’m not sure what I can say about them that won’t seem pretentious, I think one needs to listen for oneself.
Congratulations on your new album, Alex Izenberg & The Exiles! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the album title and the concept?
The album title was inspired by a song on the album called “The Gospel of Exiles”, I’m not exactly sure what it’s about, it was more of a stream of consciousness type of process.
How did the collaboration with veteran producer Phil Ek come about, and what was it like working with him on this album?
Someone from Domino knew him and sent him the album and he liked it and agreed to mix the album. Phil is a wildcard which I wouldn’t have guessed given he’s worked on a bunch of gentle folk music, but he’s cool.
You mentioned wanting to make something built to last with this album. Can you elaborate on what that means to you and how it influenced the creative process?
I moved slower; in the past I’d rush through the process and I think this time I did the most prudent thinking I’ve done in my career. A lot of the music I listen to is from the 70’s and sonically sounds, I think, better than a lot of today’s indie and that’s what I wanted to go for.
The melodies and arrangements on this album are described as romantic and expansive. How did you approach the songwriting and arranging process to achieve this sound?
I simply wrote, I didn’t think about what I was going to write, I just focused on the inner music the words made. As far as the music, I worked with a big ensemble featuring a handful of very gifted musicians who lent their expertise to the overall feel of the songs.
"Only the Moon Knows" and "Drinking the Dusk Away" are the lead singles. Can you share the stories behind these songs and why you chose them to represent the album?
Well, I didn’t choose them, my representatives did. I think they may have chosen them because they kind of capture a big portion of the album’s essence, especially “Drinking the Dusk Away”.
Your music is noted for its mystical, communal glow and intimacy. How do you balance these elements in your music, especially with the involvement of a full band?
The secret is I just don’t think about it, I just do what I like doing which is writing and producing and focus on doing my best.
Your primary collaborator, Greg Hartunian, has been a childhood friend. How has your relationship influenced the music on this album, and what was the co-production process like?
We spent a year and a half on the album (on and off), we just wanted to move slow and steady and make sure we did a good job with the songs and did our best.
The album features a wide array of collaborators. How did you go about selecting and working with these musicians, and what did they bring to the project?
They’re all my friends, so it was a pretty easy choice. They brought a level of stability to the feel of the songs, in the past I would play all the instruments and we would edit them, but every musician on this album is very good at what they do and it added a layer of mastery to the songs.
The recording process at Tropico Beauty in Glendale sounds intensive and organic. Can you describe some memorable moments from these sessions?
Greg and I would laugh a lot and it didn’t feel super intense in the sense that he and I have been friends for a long time so it just felt natural and exciting. Also, Greg owns the studio so we were able to work at a leisurely pace and really move at a pace that felt comfortable for us to feel like we were doing things right.
You’ve worked on intricate string arrangements with Cynthia Tolson. What role do the strings play in the overall sound and feel of the album?
I think the stuff Cynthia and I did adds a layer of drama and sincerity to the album. I listen to a lot of classical / classical inspired music and I tried incorporating that element of my listening habits into the album, regardless of the fact that it’s a rock / alternative album.
What do you love right now?
Currently it’s the morning and I love coffee, I cannot function without it. I drink about 4-6 shots a day.
What do you hate right now?
I hate that I don’t often discover music that actually moves me, the last record was the new Jessica Pratt record but before that it had been a couple years, few and far between.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic by King Crimson, I named my old dog after it. Great album.
Looking ahead, what do you hope listeners take away from Alex Izenberg & The Exiles?
I hope they take away something meaningful to them, it’s a record made by a music lover for music lovers.
