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).
"Alexandra & The Starlight Band" has charted on multiple non-commercial radio stations, reaching as high as #2. She spoke on the panel "Modern Merch" at CMJ 2012, and "Creative Ideas to Maximize Merch Revenue" at SXSW 2013 on the success of the marketing & branding of the vinyl 7".
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.
PRESS QUOTES
"Alexandra Starlight bears the lucky distinction of being as captivating as she is talented. Her singing style rivals the greats like Tina Turner and Janis Joplin. And she's got the swagger of a thousand men.”- Guitar World Magazine
"Long-locked, lusty-voiced Alexandra Starlight has been around a long time for a sweet young thang, and she’s been honing her chops....she and Zachary James have put together put together the kind of powerhouse band that you’d think would be impossible in this day and age." -L.A. RECORD
“Plenty of attitude… channeled into hooky, funky neo-soul, driven by her powerful vocals that are somewhere in-between Tina Turner and Amy Winehouse.” –The Metro
"The moment Alexandra belts out her first syllable the audience is under her control. The band stands out partly because their sound is hard to explain, think white Tina Turner, with some Janis Joplin and Joan Jett thrown in for good measure." - Desert Star Weekly Newspaper
"Rushes through the speakers and has all the strength and emotion of Motown’s finest, but also bears its soul with the intimacy of a Southern gospel record...then, Starlight’s smoldering vocals kick in. And I try to pick my jaw up off the floor. It’s just that good." - Guitar World Magazine
“Soul, sequins & star power: glam goddess Alexandra wants to conquer the world… comes off like Tina Turner meets Lady Gaga…the band has built something of a buzz with their live appearances.” – Ventura County Star Newspaper
"Gritty, soulful and sultry songstress...Harkening back to an era when the fun-loving, soul-stirring and even heart-breaking emotion of a song was adorned, but never overshadowed, by glittering sheer scarves and rhinestone-encrusted guitars" - VC Reporter Newspaper
"Alexandra's soulful voice takes cues from Janis Joplin's blues-drenched raw power, Tina Turner's gritty intensity and contemporaries Adele & Joss Stone. Alexandra's showmanship embodies Mick Jagger's peacock swagger and Ziggy Stardust's interstellar glam. Alexandra modernizes classic American music." -No Cover Magazine
