Alex Isley

Alexandra Isley is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She released her debut EP The Love/Art Memoirs in 2012. Isley has worked with artists including Lucky Daye, Tank and the Bangas, Terrace Martin, Masego, and 9th Wonder.

Alex Isley
Birth nameAlexandra Isley
OriginNew Jersey, U.S.[1]
GenresR&B, soul
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2012–present
Associated actsMasego, Lucky Daye
Websitewww.instagram.com/lovealexisley

Early life and education

Born Alexandra Isley, she is the daughter of Ernie Isley of the prolific soul group the Isley Brothers.[2] Isley spent most of her childhood in New Jersey before moving to Los Angeles.[1] She named Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, and Mariah Carey as early favorite musicians.[1][3] She loved singing from childhood and her family supported her pursuit of music as a professional career.[1]

She began classical vocal training at age 12 and later graduated from LA County High School for the Arts.[4] Isley received her bachelor's degree from UCLA, where she studied in the jazz department.[5]

Isley has synesthesia, and described the phenomenon to LA Weekly: "There's a canvas in my mind, and the whole thing is painted, or it's a continuous wave of color...Sometimes I'll start composing something and I'll have to change the key because the color won't sit right with me."[5]

Career

Isley released her self-produced debut EP The Love Art/Memoirs in 2012.[5] Okayplayer reviewed the EP positively: "please believe Alex’s lush vocals over her own calming production is capable of spawning a generation of love babies much like “Between The Sheets” did."[6]

Isley described her music as r&b with hip hop and jazz influences.[1] Samantha Callender of Essence referred to her voice as "silky smooth vocals that ride neo-soul melodies."[1] She has collaborated with artists such as 9th Wonder on the track "Rain Clouds"; Lucky Daye and Masego on "Good & Plenty (Remix)"; Chromonicci on "Interstellar"; and Christian Kuria on "Toroka."[1][7][8][9]

In November 2019 she released the joint EP Wilton with producer Jack Dine.[10] In May 2020 Isley performed a concert for NPR's Tiny Desk series.[2] That year she was also a featured vocalist for the Cautious Clay track "Reaching", on the soundtrack for Insecure's fourth season.[11]

Personal life

Isley resides in Los Angeles.[2] She has a daughter (b. 2017).[1]

Discography

Albums
List of albums with selected details
Title Details
Dreams in Analog[12]
  • Released: August 10, 2013
  • Self-released
L U X U R Y
  • Released: December 26, 2015
  • Self-released
Marigold (with Jack Dine)
  • Released: March 30, 2022
  • Self-released

Extended plays
List of extended plays with selected details
Title Details
The Love/Art Memoirs
  • Released: May 20, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
The Beauty of Everything, Part 1
  • Released: February 27, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
The Beauty of Everything, Part Two
  • Released: May 3, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
Wilton (with Jack Dine)
  • Released: November 15, 2019
  • Isley & Dine Records

[12]

References
  1. Callender, Samantha (2021-02-22). "Alex Isley Is R&B's Breath Of Fresh Air". Essence. Retrieved 2021-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. Carter, Bobby (2020-05-15). "Alex Isley: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Sunnucks, Jack (2018-06-13). "young nyc creatives on what aaliyah means to them". i-D Vice. Retrieved 2021-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Carter, Corein (2020-10-13). "Alex Isley is Expanding On the Isley Legacy and Bringing Us Her Unique Jazz-Fusion Style". Sheen Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  5. Sumney, Moses (2012-11-02). "Alex Isley Has Her Own Thing". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2021-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. Shamz (2012-07-10). "Alex Isley - The Love/Art Memoirs [EP]". Okayplayer. Retrieved 2021-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Duong, Paul (2021-03-17). "Alex Isley, Masego, Lucky Daye "Good & Plenty (Remix)"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2021-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. Robinson, Chloe (2021-03-18). "Christian Kuria unleashes a stunning remix of "Toroka" featuring Alex Isley". EARMILK. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  9. "Chromonicci & Alex Isley Soar On 'Interstellar.'". SoulBounce.com. 2020-12-28. Retrieved 2021-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. Ivory (2019-11-15). "Alex Isley & Jack Dine Explore Love On 'Wilton' EP". SoulBounce.com. Retrieved 2021-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. Alston, Trey (2020-04-10). "Cautious Clay And Alex Isley Argue About Love On Vibey 'Reaching'". MTV News. Retrieved 2021-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "Alex Isley". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
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