You know those kids that were doing all the cool shit in middle school before everyone else new it was cool? Like that band kid that played the “non-cool” instruments like trumpet, trombone, or piano. I remember when I was doing my required band for middle school everyone wanted to be percussion. Even I tried for it but, unfortunately back in the day I had rhythm like a Blue Face verse.
I was assigned trombone, the bus was rough, “haha look he has a trom-boner.” Yeah, that got old quick. In the end, I fell in the trap of “instruments are lame” and didn’t continue to pursue it. Now that I’m older I know how amazing instruments like the trumpet or trombone can be. A lesson learned long ago by Alexander Lewis, a multi-instrumentalist artist and producer out of Los Angeles. Alex incorporates his trombone into just about everything he does and has accumulated millions of streams through his trombone flips of like Troybois’s “Flames (Alexander Lewis Remix)” and Kanye’s “All of The Lights (Alexander Lewis Remix).”
The same goes for his latest EP ‘Red’ which is his most hip-hop oriented project to date. Blending trap and hip-hop production while also incorporated those orchestral instruments like the trombone. Alex is also currently executively producing upcoming albums from hip-hop artists B Anderson and William $. Who he features on “Energy” from his ‘Red’ EP.
Alexander Lewis – ‘Red’
Alexander Lewis Interview
*This interview was edited for clarity*
RMR: Was there any specific set events that inspired you leading up to the creation of the ‘Red’ EP?
Alexander: It started off with me collaborating with B. Anderson when we made “Win the War.” At the time I wanted to put together a cohesive project with a similar theme and was also annoyed with what everyone was “expecting” me to put out. So I wanted to make it clear I wasn’t going to do that. I put a lot of emotion, frustration, and anger into this EP.
RMR: Is The color of the EP related to that emotion? Can we expect this in the future where a “Blue” EP might feel more mellowed out?
Alexander: Yeah it definitely has something to do with certain feelings. I have multiple color theme projects coming out and the project in mind kind of dictates the color I choose for the project.
RMR: What’s it been liking working with B. Anderson?
Alexander: It’s been good and I feel like in general a lot of the rappers I work with become some of my close homies and I learn just as much from them as they do from me. It also allows me to experiment with things I may otherwise never try.
RMR: Who has really impressed you with their ability and overall knowledge in the studio?
Alexander: Honestly I’m always surprising and impressing myself. I’m really fucking proud of Red EP and I sit back sometimes and it feels surreal that I put together that project.
RMR: What was the most interesting thing you learned about yourself while creating the Red EP?
Alexander: I underestimated my ability to tap into a bunch of different emotions to create a conceptual project.
RMR: Besides the trombone, what other instruments can you play?
Alexander: Piano and various brass instruments.
RMR: You hear the trombone incorporated in pretty much the entire EP, it’s not really something you hear a lot of artists use as consistently as you do. What is it about the trombone that you love so much?
Alexander: It’s been my main instrument and outlet for expressing myself my entire life. I grew up playing jazz and classical music. I love the trombone so much because it can be utilized in such grandiose moments and then played in tender and soft ballad-like moments as well. In Orchestra, a lot of composers will save the trombone for grand and dramatic entrances.
RMR: What is the most underrated/under-appreciated tool or element in production?
Alexander: Sound and sample selection in my opinion
RMR: Which track off your Red EP was the hardest to complete? And, which is your favorite?
Alexander: “Left U” on Red was pretty difficult in that it had a lot of moving parts to balance and mix out. Live strings and brass. I think for this reason it ended up being my favorite off the EP
RMR: If you had a message to give to your fans what would it be?
Alexander: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Thank you for caring about my music, and helping me keep the lights on in my studio.
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