For Alexa Joyce, pop music should do more than soundtrack your day, it should make you want to get up and dance.
The Liverpool-born singer is building a world filled with disco nostalgia, unapologetic glamour and pure escapism, taking inspiration from the larger-than-life energy of Donna Summer, Madonna and the Spice Girls while creating something distinctly her own. As Alexa puts it, imagine “Donna Summer and the Spice Girls had a baby”, a fitting introduction to an artist determined to make pop feel joyful, inclusive and full of personality again.
That spirit came through immediately with her debut single, “I Want Ya,” a dance-floor-ready introduction inspired in part by Amii Stewart’s “Knock on Wood” and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Her follow-up, “Sex on TV,” reveals another side of her sound, playing with the contrast between a feminine melody and heavier bass and drums.
Already earning praise from Mark Ronson and making her New York live debut at the legendary Stonewall Inn during Pride, Alexa is only beginning to bring that world to life. And for her, the visual identity matters just as much as the music: fashion, photography and pop culture all become part of the universe surrounding each song.
With more music and live performances ahead, Alexa has one simple goal: more joy, more connection and more reasons to head to the dance floor.
BELLO caught up with Alexa Joyce to talk Liverpool, girl power, disco, “Sex on TV,” her love of fashion and why she has no intention of dreaming small.
BELLO: For anyone discovering you for the first time, how would you describe Alexa Joyce and the world you’re creating through your music?
AJ: I would describe it like Donna Summer and the Spice Girls had a baby! I want my world to be a fun, light hearted space where EVERYONE is welcome. I want people to feel joy. The world needs more of that right now. I hope people can immerse themselves in my world and find a sense of escapism from real life even if it’s just for a few minutes.
BELLO: You’re from Liverpool, a city with such a rich musical history. How has growing up there shaped you as an artist and performer?
AJ: Liverpool has had a huge influence on both who I am as a person and the artist I’ve become. It’s a city with so much history, culture, and musical heritage, and of course, it gave the world one of the greatest bands of all time. But for me, it’s the people that really make Liverpool what it is.
There’s such a warmth, humour, and sense of community there that I honestly don’t think you find anywhere else. I haven’t anyway, and I don’t think I’m being biased either!
I always say that if you moved to Liverpool from anywhere in the world, someone would make you feel at home within five minutes. You only have to look at the football to understand how passionate and connected people are to their city.
And then there are the girls! Scouse girls are genuinely the most glamorous. I grew up surrounded by strong women, particularly in my family, and they’ve had a massive influence on me. My nan always encouraged me to make an effort because when you feel like you look good, you feel good. I love that attitude.
The spirit of the city definitely gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams, while the Northern grit I grew up around has taught me never to give up. So Liverpool has definitely shaped more than just my sound…it’s shaped my confidence, my attitude, and the way I carry myself. And my rollers will forever come everywhere with me!!
BELLO: Your music draws inspiration from artists like Madonna, Donna Summer and the Spice Girls. What is it about these artists and their approach to pop music that continues to inspire you?
AJ: The Spice Girls have me in a chokehold. I have their wallpaper on the walls in my apartment. I love that they are all so individual and different, yet united through girl power. They answered back, they were unapologetically themselves. The 90’s to me was pop with personality and that’s something that really inspires me. Their music was about love, friendship, and having a good time.
Donna Summer was a defining voice in disco, one of the genres I’m most in love with. She captured everything that makes disco so special. The escapism, the confidence, the glamour, and freedom. One of my mums favourite records to dance to when she was clubbing when she was younger was “Last Dance.” I’d have killed to be in a club when DJs spun those records!! I guess I have her to thank for that.
Madonna is the queen of pop. I love how her music tells a story, and she has reinvented herself so many times, yet remained true to who she is. She’s pushed boundaries and challenged stereotypes throughout her whole career and is an incredible ally to the LGBTQ community. She paved the way for all the women in pop music. Without her, there would be none of us!
BELLO: Your debut single, “I Want Ya,” introduced listeners to your sound and personality. What inspired the song, and what did you want people to feel when they heard it?
AJ: I think “I Want Ya” was the perfect introduction to my sound and personality. I think it really captured the disco nostalgia and my personality at the same time. The song was really inspired by two records I love and was listening to on my way to the studio: “Knock on Wood” by Amii Stewart and “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson. Both of the songs have a shuffle you don’t hear much in modern music. I always want to get up and dance when I hear both of those songs, which is exactly how I wanted people to feel when they heard “I Want Ya.”
BELLO: You made your live debut at the Stonewall Inn during NYC Pride. What was that experience like, and what did it mean to make your first performance in New York City?
AJ: The experience was amazing. It was a real pinch me moment. Stonewall is such an incredible place. The energy was unbelievable. It’s where modern Pride began. I feel extremely attached to the LGBTQ community. Pop music simply wouldn’t exist without them. New York is just an unbelievable city, especially during Pride…it’s so visually inclusive. There’s simply nowhere like New York. It’s where Studio 54 was!
BELLO: You’ve been described by Mark Ronson as his “favorite new (Scouse) popstar.” What did it mean to hear that from someone whose work and career you admire?
AJ: Erm what the helly!! Still can’t get over it!!
Mark is genuinely a genius. That word’s thrown around so often, but he genuinely is. He’s the Quincy Jones of our generation. His ear is next level and my respect for him is indescribably. I grew up singing in bars and clubs across Liverpool. I would always sing, “Valerie.” It’s my nan’s name, the song was written by Scousers, The Zutons, and that was how I first learned about him. His mum’s also a Scouser! So he is definitely an honorary one. But it feels incredible, not only because I have huge admiration for him, but because he’s a genuinely lovely human who’s been nothing but kind to me. I’m so grateful he even knows my name.
BELLO: What does “Sex on TV” reveal about you as an artist that listeners may not have seen from “I Want Ya”?
AJ: I think this record is probably one of my coolest. I think it fits perfectly in my world, but still gives listeners something different. On the first listen, I don’t think you would expect it to go where it does. I personally love songs like that. I love the juxtaposition of this song. The melody is super feminine, but the bass and drums feel super masculine to me.
BELLO: Your music embraces glamour, confidence, sexuality, and the joy of pop. How important is it for you to create music that makes people want to dance and have fun?
AJ: It is the most important thing to me, especially when creating. It’s my why. All I’ve ever wanted to do is make music that calls people to the dance floor. It’s my dream for one of my records to fit into a timeless playlist and not feel out of place.
BELLO: There’s a strong visual element to your artistry. How do fashion, photography, and visual culture influence the way you approach your music?
AJ: I think music and fashion are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other. Fashion, photography, and visual culture have a huge influence on the way I approach my music. I’ve always been really drawn to the way an image can create a feeling before you’ve even heard a song. I saw Addison Rae speak about how she basically got a record deal from showing a colour palette. Visual identity is so important. Especially in the world we live in. For me, music isn’t just about what you hear, it’s about the whole world you create around it.
BELLO: You’re just at the beginning of your journey, with more music on the way. What can fans expect from you next?
AJ: More joy! I hope to be able to connect and build my fan base more over this next year, especially through live shows. It’s amazing to have social media as a tool for people to discover me, but I really want this to exist in real life. Connection is one of the most special things about music.
BELLO: If you could accomplish one thing with your music over the next year, what would you love that to be?
AJ: It’s always been my dream to play huge stages and festivals. I think it would be amazing to have the opportunity to play some of those festivals, especially Glastonbury and Mighty Hoopla!
There’s some pretty amazing tour rumours around right now. I’d love to open up for some of the pop girlies who are killing it right now. I know that’s kinda three answers in one, but I’ve never been one to dream small.
