Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexia Riner.
Alexia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved music since I was a child. I was singing before I could even talk and started taking piano lessons and studying classical music at a young age. Half of my family is Indian so I was always heavily influenced by Indian music and grew up watching Bollywood movies and singing Hindi songs! My uncle was a sound engineer in India and his work initially piqued my interest in sound. Eventually, I attended Berklee College of Music where I discovered my love for music technology. I realized that through technology, I could accurately express my artistic voice, and this was a game-changer for me. During my time at Berklee, I dual-majored in Electronic Production & Design and Film Scoring, which gave me all the tools I needed to foster the sound I have today. I was also lucky enough to have some incredible mentors that encouraged me to experiment and take sonic risks. After college, I moved to Los Angeles and began producing and touring with Madame Gandhi. I also released a solo album titled “Darknet” and began DJ’ing and scoring film/TV professionally (including collaborating with Stanya Kahn for her film “Stand in the Stream”). I’ve now been in Los Angeles for 3 years and am happy to call this city my home base.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t call the road “smooth,” but it has been an exciting one! Deciding to pursue music technology as a woman of color is a struggle in itself. The world I work in is dominated by white men and I feel like I am constantly having to go the extra mile to prove myself competent. However, I’m not bitter about this because it’s motivated me to strive for perfection in my craft and become an innovator in the music tech industry.
Please tell us about Alexia Riner.
I am a producer, sound designer, composer, and DJ. I also design sound installations for various spaces. Recently, I’ve been partnering with nursing homes in various states and using music to enrich the quality of their residents’ lives. I’m known for my unique approach to sound design and my experimental music that doesn’t fit into any specific genre. This year, I’m working on an interactive sound installation and composing a piece for Ableton’s Loop Conference, which I’m very proud of! I am also finishing my second solo album which will showcase my vocals and original sound design. One of my main goals is to use music and technology to enhance the lives of others. I also hope to be a good role model for the future generations of women that want to pursue music.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is when my mom and I decided to take a trip to this psychic town called Cassadaga. We’ve seen plenty of psychics before, but this trip was special because of the actual journey. I remember my mom and I had a little iPod full of Beatles songs that we blasted the whole 2 hours there. We were singing at the top of our lungs and I remember feeling so happy and peaceful. My mom is one of those people who has such a calming energy that just being around her makes you feel at ease. It was such a special trip where we both learned so much about ourselves and each other. I often find myself going back to that trip when I’m feeling really stressed out or anxious.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alexiariner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiariner/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexiarinermusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/79IKTzwB3WiJ4se9VxsJNG
Image Credit:
Anna Maria Lopez, Alessandro Marquez, Lifetime, Play with Music
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