Alexandra Starlight got her start in the L.A. punk scene, first performing with Teenacide Records' The Holograms in 2004. Called "Bubblegum rock & roll for grrrl-power girls" by the LA WEEKLY, she joined the band as lead singer in support of their release "Night of 1000 Ex Boyfriends," produced by Blag Dahlia (The Dwarves) and Bradley Cook (Foo Fighters/The Ataris). The single "Are You Ready for It" was named one of the Coolest Garage Songs by Little Steven's Underground Garage column and charted on the top 10 Billboard Magazine garage rock chart hit.
She then formed The Hollywood Harlots, which Sugarbuzz Magazine described as the "gritty spawn of The New York Dolls" blended with the "dirty girl appeal of Kim Fowley's young swagger street chicks-The Runaways." The Hollywood Harlots caught the attention of producer Jeff Saltzman (The Killers, The Sounds) at a raucous show at a French restaurant for Alexandra's "Iggy Pop-type" stage antics of pouring whiskey on her face, jumping onto diners' tables, eating their steaks and drinking their wine. She then recorded a demo EP with Jeff Saltzman.
CURRENT PROJECT
With her latest solo release, Alexandra & The Starlight Band, Alexandra Starlight has critics buzzing, hailing the gritty & sultry songstress as the new, 21st century Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.
Along with CD, Alexandra & The Starlight Band is being released in a never-before-made combination of clear vinyl/rainbow glitter, each painstakingly custom made & hand numbered. Entirely crowd-funded, the release garnered an overwhelming response on the creative platform Kickstarter—resulting in over 205% funding and the limited edition 7" being nearly sold out, months before its release.
For this recording, Alexandra Starlight worked at Henson Studios in Los Angeles alongside Bob Cutarella (Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Madonna, Joss Stone, Keith Richards), engineer Paul LaMalfa (Brian Wilson, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn, Mariah Carey), Kevin Mills (Michael Bublé, Tom Morello, Céline Dion, No Doubt, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Revolver, Gwen Stefani) and Lena Horne's former band leader, Lou Forestieri (Tori Amos).
Sonically, the 5 song EP presents a fresh spin on classic American music; hearkening back to the golden period in the 1970's when rock 'n' rollers were looking to the sounds of Motown, R&B, funk and soul for inspiration. In the swinging "Without My Sunshine," Starlight muses on the proverbial calm after navigating a stormy sea of heartache, with a bittersweet sense of gratitude, set to the sounds of gospel backing vocals and a classic Stax Records style horn section. Yet Starlight stands strong and never plays the victim; in the funky & heavy-hitting "T.T.M.F." she trash-talks her two-timing ex-lover, positioning herself as the victor in her own superhero-esque survivor theme song. The result is a collection of songs that are at once triumphant and vulnerable, introspective and searching, strong and sassy.
Alexandra Starlight's live show matches the intensity of the songs, earning her a reputation as an artist to watch. She has performed for television & film, including the David Letterman Show, Fox 11 News' Good Day LA, and San Diego 6's "San Diego Living" and the ringing of the New York Stock Exchange closing bell with Ivanka Trump on CNN. She also was featured in Episode 4 Trailer of Smithsonian Channel's "L.A. Frock Stars", titled "Sequins & Sparkles for Alexandra Starlight: If This Dress Could Talk." She has also performed for film, in the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary Tour Documentary Intro alongside Elton John, Black Keys, Nick Cave, Iggy Pop, Gary Clark Jr., Johnny Depp, Corey Parks and others.