Based in Austin, Texas, musician Alex Peterson (they/them) is a natural when it comes to seeking out spaces of vulnerability and authenticity.
Initially performing solo as well as having played and toured alongside acts like Smith+Robot and Hovvdy, Peterson’s latest project, alexalone, released its full-length album on August 13.
The record ALEXALONEWORLD is made up of intertwining shoegaze and drone ambience, which blends a dark, aural atmosphere with Peterson’s gentle, yet compelling, vocals.
The band is now a five piece that includes drummer Sam Jordan and multi-instrumentalists Hannah Read, Andrew Hulett and Mari Maurice.
Alexalone’s success is a testament to how virtual shows and the forces of social media can be enough to garner the attention of those working within the music industry, including larger indie labels like Polyvinyl Records, recognized for their long standing DIY-ethos.
“I did a livestream on Instagram and Janelle [Abad] who works there messaged me and was like, ‘do you want to work with Polyvinyl?,’ and I was like, ‘yes!’”
Maurice chimed in about the surprising and exciting news of getting an offer from a label they wholly respect. “I really only played this one show with alexalone before this happened and then COVID shut everything down,” she said. “Then getting a call from Alex being like, ‘hey, we’re signing to Polyvinyl!’”
While Jordan and Peterson were busy recording drums in the latter half of 2019, the quintet had plenty of time to practice and assemble their album.
“We happened to be recording pretty consistently throughout [the pandemic] too,” Maurice said. “It felt very synced up with everything we’ve been working on.”
Bandmates emailed their respective parts while social distance was enforced: “It was nice to have something positive to focus on this year,” Peterson said.
Teaming up with creators Karolina Asadova and Simon Cassar for their single “Ruins,” the artists concocted a distinct video-game realm turned music video where Zelda-esque sprites wander the grounds and perform instrumental pieces in the form of each band member. The track’s lyrics steer towards the ability to challenge and be honest with oneself (Can I be upfront? / It’s way too much / I get caught up / But it’s only / A memory) before leading up to a giant cacophony of dissonance and feedback by the end of their six minute song.
On August 14, the band celebrated the release of its album with a live show at Austin’s outdoor venue Meanwhile Brewing. Rounding out the bill were lo-fi Dallas band Teethe and fellow local act Tåsi.
“We haven’t played a show yet with this lineup,” Peterson mentioned in the interview.
The band is tentatively slated to tour beginning January 2022 alongside Double Double Whammy act Lomelda, with whom they share members with. Citing Autin’s recent rise in COVID-19 cases, tentatively remains the emphasized word when discussing tour plans.
“We have no idea what the world will be like by then,” Read said.
Listen to alexalone’s new album here.