Meet Alexis de la Rocha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis de la Rocha.

Hi Alexis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a first-generation Latine artist, singer, songwriter, producer, and synth goddess born and based in Los Angeles. I have been performing and creating music her whole life, from my early beginnings as a dancer at age three and first piano lessons at age seven to performing in recitals, talent shows, and theatrical productions throughout high school and college. As a film school student at UCLA, I honed my artistic skills in production, directing, and acting–skills that would lead to high-profile gigs as Director of Music Programming for LALIFF Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Amazon, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and many more. But it was after college, while holding a job at the now-defunct Los Angeles radio station Indie 103.1 when I realized I wanted to pursue music.

I think I am perhaps best known as the electrifying frontwoman of the Los Angeles experimental band BEATMO, which I co-founded in 2006, and for my all-female synth electronic band LJ Laboratory (formerly LEX) which I formed in 2015. Beatmo’s hits, including “Unheard March,” “From the Water,” and “Orale” showcase my powerful performance persona and eclectic musical influences, from my early childhood influences of Madonna, the 1984 film The Neverending Story, and David Bowie’s stylized synth soundtrack to 1986 film Labyrinth to the dance, alternative, and R&B music of my teen and college years. I grew up in the eighties and nineties, and those delicious sounds of freestyle, house, trip-hop, electronic, grunge, hip-hop, R&B, and so much more live in my mind, I remember reenacting Dave Gahan in “Enjoy the Silence” and wanting so badly to be Björk.

A few years into my involvement with Beatmo, I began writing solo music in GarageBand with my Roland Juno-6 and eventually taught myself Ableton. This writing helped me hone in my synth dream pop style, pulling inspiration from Bowie and the soundtrack to the classic 1982 dystopian film about Los Angeles, Blade Runner. I then wrote my solo EP LEX, which featured collaborations with some of Daft Punk’s team Peter Franco and Todd Edwards, and then formed my second band, LJ Laboratory (formerly LEX) for shows at SXSW, W Hotels, and a sold-out event at the Los Angeles Theater Center.

As a vocalist, musician, and artist, my transformative onstage presence leaves fans yearning for more, and my dynamic musical displays at Snow Globe Music Festival, Pride (Los Angeles, San Diego), KABOO, Treefort, and other festivals have endeared me to new audiences. My commanding performances and musical artistry have earned acclaim from the Ladygunn Magazine, Remezcla, Los Angeles TIMES, LA Weekly, Buzz Bands LA, Rolling Stone, The Bay Bridged, Consequence, and other publications.

Alright, 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?
With the disbandment of my second band LJ Laboratory (formerly LEX), I heard the calling of motherhood and gave birth to my baby girl. I admit the transition to full-time motherhood was not easy, and I had a tough time adjusting to my new life. I was missing my music life, so I wrote, and wrote, and ventured on my solo musical journey to find myself in this new life chapter. One result was my 2021 single, “Chill,” written with longtime homie VFRESH. I am revving up to release even more music and music videos this year, as well as continue performing. My latest song, “Haze,” holds my inner reflections, visions, and intimate thoughts.

My music is my soundtrack and interwebbings of my influences of 1980s synthesizers, fantasy, fashion, goth, and dream pop. ‘Haze’ is where I let my childhood play with sounds inspired by David Lynch’s Twin Peaks theme by Angelo Daniel Badalamenti and where synths pay tribute to David Bowie’s instrumentation in the Labyrinth.

The title “Haze” speaks to the cloudiness of the mind when it’s caught in a spell of depression. It’s about making your way through the fog during those moments when you are not yourself or able to be the version of yourself that you imagined. My vocals are haunting, echoing the internal voices that repeat in the mind. Haze is about looking back at those tough moments and finding the beauty in them, learning the lesson, the takeaway, so you can continue forward stronger. Grief and heartache are okay because you are overcoming the pain. Art and music are spiritual for me and in those moments when I feel overwhelmed, I’m able to find understanding through my creative process and self-expression. I’m hoping people are able to connect and find comfort in the sounds.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist, musician, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and director. I have a deep passion for creating enchanting realms through visuals that integrate fashion, art, and music. Whether it’s through my music videos or live performances, I am captivated by the notion of transportation and fantasy. My goal is to transport my viewers to another world, where they can immerse themselves in a magical experience.

How do you think about happiness?
I love creating art and connecting with people and taking them on a journey through a magical world I have created. I give 150% to my performance and my audience. They can be anywhere else in the world, yet they chose to be here with me, and I am ever so grateful. Their love gives me the confidence to keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alexisdelarocha.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisdelarocha/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexisdelarocha/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexisdelarocha
• Other: https://alexisdelarocha.bandcamp.com/track/haze

Image Credits
Photos by Dario Garcia