Alexa Perl shares how her global experiences, dance background, and commitment to philanthropy shape her unique sound and vision.
DJ and producer Alexa Perl has emerged from Los Angeles’ bustling dance music scene and is already making some waves. Her journey in music began with her 14 years as a competitive dancer, which sparked her passion for house music. Her experiences studying in Barcelona and exploring Europe deepened her understanding of sound, paving the way for her evolution as an artist.
Influenced by artists like Purple Disco Machine and Junior Jack, Alexa’s sound is a blissful mix of heavy disco and funk with vibrant, nostalgic vibes. Her latest single, “What You Do,” was released on September 13 via Rhythm Avenue. The track reimagines Christina Aguilera‘s classic “Genie in a Bottle,” infusing it with a contemporary house twist. With a signature blend of catchy melodies, sultry lyrics, and a dynamic beat, Alexa transforms the original into a feel-good anthem that brings listeners on a smooth ride through the summer.
Passionate about music, the arts, and giving back to the community through her involvement with The Change Reaction, Alexa Perl showcases her artistic talent and establishes herself as a dynamic force in the music world, promising an exciting and positive trajectory for 2024. Read on for our full conversation, and make sure to listen to her exclusive guest mix on SoundCloud!
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 438 || Alexa Perl on SoundCloud:
Hey Alexa! We’re excited to have you. We appreciate you taking the time to chat with us!
Thank you! I’m excited to be here; thanks for having me!
You’ve had an exciting year, but before we get to that, I’d love to start with your story and the beginning of your journey in music. When did you first discover electronic music and the scene? Can you share how your journey in music began?
My journey in house music began as a young girl. With my dad’s passion for it, he introduced house music to me before I could even walk. Every birthday party, car ride, and social event over the last 26 years of my life has revolved around house music. Once I was old enough to start traveling abroad in college, that was when I really started to get into the scene. I have such a vivid memory of the time I visited Ibiza at 19 years old, and I quite literally said out loud to myself, “I can’t go back to the States without bringing this music with me.” And that was really where my journey started.
Who or what inspired you to start DJing and producing music? You’ve named artists like Purple Disco Machine and Junior Jack as inspirations. What have you learned from their work that you incorporate into your own music?
The experiences that I mentioned before about being abroad were really what inspired me to not just love music as a listener but to explore it as an artist. I quickly bought myself what I needed after chatting with some friends and, with the help of people and YouTube, slowly started to dabble in DJing – learning how to read a crowd and create a vibe for a night is such a skill that needs to be developed and that was my first order of business.
After a few years, I knew it would benefit me so much to learn production. I got so lucky to be in the right room with the right people, and have formed a team of experts that have allowed me to have a vision, produce it, and then bring it to life in a way I could never imagine possible. I love the tougher sounds of disco – hats, percussion, piano – and I have found a lot of inspiration, like the artists you named above, to help drive my creativity and bring my own song to life.
Your career has expanded rapidly from Los Angeles to performing internationally in places like Croatia. What has that experience been like, and how has it shaped your sound?
My career has gone from 0 to 100; sometimes, I still have to pinch myself to see if it’s all real! The journey from DJing local gigs in Los Angeles to performing internationally has been surreal. Every new destination has unique energy, culture, and crowd, all of which have shaped me not just as a DJ but as an artist. Playing in front of such diverse audiences has opened my eyes to how music transcends language and borders. Everything has happened so fast, but the high pace has fueled my creativity, pushing me to constantly evolve and experiment with my sound.
You’ve also been a competitive dancer for 14 years, which is another form of art in itself. Has your dance background influenced your approach to production and DJing?
I’m so grateful that I had that experience as a young kid, as like you mentioned was an art itself and really allowed me to connect to music through feeling and movement. However, the only way it has really tied into my life now as a DJ and producer is on the dancefloor. Connecting with people around music through dance and dancing at my own gigs and shows I feel inspires those on the dance floor to connect with the music in that same way.
Moving to the present, your third single, “What You Do,” just dropped —congrats! Can you tell us the inspiration behind reimagining “Genie in a Bottle” as a club-ready house track?
Thank you so much! Sometimes the idea of a new track is as simple as hearing the original out, in this case I was at a coffee shop, and a lightbulb went off. I have a few really good reimagined Christina Aguilera songs that I play in my sets, so when I heard it, I knew the classic chorus that everyone knew would be fun to explore for a club track.
Also, given my past tracks on reworked female vocalist/girl band songs with a spin of funk. It was a fun process trying to land on what kind of “club-ready” sound it would have – it first really started as a disco daytime beach club sound, but as I played with it and added layers of sounds, the tougher bassline seemed to have fit the vocal so much better. I’m so proud of where it’s at now and can confidently say that it works through so many parts of the night.
Can you share the best advice you’ve received from another artist that’s impacted you the most?
While this really seems cheesy and also pretty simple, an artist once told me that if I believe in myself, the rest will follow. With the times we live in, so many people are learning how to DJ and produce, making it incredibly hard to stand out. The more I wholeheartedly believe in myself and what I am doing, the more confident I am in every show I play, interaction, and content I post. My absolute favorite line from one of my favorite artists’ songs ties into this advice. It goes: “Who am I to be here? Climbing all my fears like they’re nothing but a mountain with a view like there’s never been a dream I can’t pursue… but who am I not to be?” I think of that every time I am about to perform.
With your third single out and the rest of 2024 looking like a big year, can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
Yes! I am continuing to produce club-ready tracks that tie well into the sound I am creating for my personal brand, and I am so excited to share them. I am also working with amazing new vocalists and starting on some original writing, which is an exciting process to dive into as well.
Beyond the music: You’re actively involved with philanthropy at The Change Reaction. How did you become connected with the organization, and why is this cause important to you?
The Change Reaction is a direct giving platform providing emergency grants to hardworking families. I’ve been working there for just over four years, and my specific focus areas within the organization are foster kids who have aged out of the system and women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Every day, I read about situations and hardships that people are up against, and I get to personally approve grants to help people with rent, car repairs, and other emergencies.
Since the focus of the organization is mainly on hardworking folks, it allows me to dive deep into many different causes, like the few I mentioned above. I am so passionate and determined to support hardworking people in my city and to show them that there are strangers who really truly care about them and their wellbeing. My life is extremely fulfilling because I get to bring happiness to people both day and night.
Finally, what do you hope to achieve in the next phase of your career as a DJ and producer?
I am constantly bringing my best foot forward as a DJ to bring happiness to the dancefloor, and through my songs and performances, I will continue to do so. I am excited to keep expanding that vision throughout the States, and I am excited to keep introducing the sounds of deep funk and reimagined house tracks to those in the States who didn’t grow up with this sound the way I did. Everyone deserves to feel music the way that we music lovers feel when we hear songs that speak to us, and I hope that with my DJing and production skills, I can continue to show up for listeners and strangers around the world.
