Daily Inspiration: Meet Lexi Algar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexi Algar.

Hi Lexi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Lexi Algar, I am a full-time singer, songwriter, musician, entrepreneur, and live entertainer. I have always desired to be a singer since I was about 3 or 4 years old. I knew it was everything I wanted to do; create, sing, and be on stage. I grew up in the Bay Area and began teaching myself to sing and play the guitar, piano, then ukulele, viola, and cello. I love stringed instruments, but my voice let me express myself most authentically. By the time turned 21, I set my sights on finishing college in Long Beach at Cal State Long Beach. The real goal was to make it near LA to be closer to the music and my possible future music goals. I finished college just at the two-year mark of making the move and at the height of the pandemic. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a music minor; happy to be done with school. I was also working a dead-end job at Target, barely making enough to get by with a full workload on my plate. At the time, I thought maybe I should try to start my singing career somehow and see what happens.

So, I quit my job and gave myself a plan and a deadline. I had two and a half month’s rent in my savings. If I couldn’t get a restaurant or a public place to hire me to sing and things didn’t look up in about a month, I’ll settle for another job. I made myself business cards and started walking into establishments in the city I lived in. Leaving cards, taking names, and contacting new places that had live music. I put together 3 hours’ worth of songs, and FINALLY, a restaurant booked me, A family-owned Italian restaurant on 4th street. I set my price and played, and they were asking for more dates! I started booking another restaurant and another. It seemed that at every public gig I would play, someone needed me to play a private event or a celebration of some kind. I began my business on the first day of 2022 and have been singing cover music for private events and establishments ever since! I am now recording my own music as well. I have been writing songs since I was 10. I never had access to a studio growing up or a musician in my family to show me the industry, but I am learning slowly and eagerly. I am finally doing what I have been wanting to do since I was a child. The goal is of this business was to help transition to me playing my own music, and I think I’m on my way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No – it has not. One of the biggest challenges I have faced is that there is less spaces now that support professional local musicians and performers; especially if you’re just one person. I do sing and play guitar, but some places will not hire less than a 2- or 3-piece band. Even when they do, they do not pay them what they are worth. With what I am doing- I have control, sole reliability, and affordability for the client. Another problem has been being in public spaces in general. Being a musician at public gigs, sometimes you have to deal with people who will invade your personal space, heckle, some people don’t understand audience etiquette, people try to ask to sing with you- things that you come across when having a public job. The problems I face, I would deal with 100 times over if it means that I am going to get to my desired outcome: being a singer that performs my own music and makes a decent living and a name for myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Firstly, I am a singer, songwriter, and multiple musician. I am a cover singer most nights and evenings of the week. During the day, I write and record my own music and release it online! I am known for singing in public settings in Long Beach and Orange County. My next adventure will be LA. I am most proud of the fact that I am both singing for hours out of the night and somehow find the energy to go to the studios and write and make videos online. What sets me apart from most everyone is my versatility on both my music and my cover shows. If you want me to sing other people’s music for you, I will find out what music you like (time period, genre, artists) and sing that. I also write fusions of different genres and never release the same-sounding song. I am very proud of my versatility.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I am still always trying to make connections and meet future mentors; I have not cracked the code completely. However, I have found that showing up and loudly being yourself seems to do the job. Inform as many people as you can about what you do. Express who you are looking for a manager, mentor, lawyer, etc., and start with your closest connection. It is always good to be referred by someone you know for something; especially if they are on good terms. A lot of musicians don’t like this part of the deal, but most famous/successful people are where they are because of who they know, not what they do. It’s a very important part of the job.

Pricing:

• Private Events: $100/hour + travel cost varies
• Restaurants: 2-3 hours $200 minimum

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lexialgar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexialgar
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lexialgar
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lexi-algar-long-beach
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1xkXyIA1x78HueOxnV67pE

Image Credits
Grey background pic: Jennifer Fujikawa