Love You Later
“keepintouch” is my favorite new release. First of all, I got super excited when I learned that Bre Kennedy and Kyle Dreaden co-wrote this song. Second, the melodies are timeless. Third, the lyrics have a great storytelling. And lastly, the song is an absolute smash.
Thank you so much Lexi for the conversation and thank you for this amazing pop record !
“keepintouch” is now available everywhere :)
Photo credit: @pixelgash
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I’m Lexi, I’m 23, and I grew up in Southern California. I never doubted in my mind that I would live and breathe music. My parents are musically inclined and both did music as a hobby growing up, but never pursued it. I was always involved in it somehow, whether it be choir, musicals, talent shows, concerts, songwriting camps, you name it. I went to a ton of concerts growing up - my first one was Hillary Duff in 2006 - live music was my kryptonite and I wanted to make people feel the way I felt in the crowd. I picked up my first instrument, the ukulele, when I was 10 and then self-taught myself guitar shortly after at age 12. I’d always make up songs in the back seat of my mom’s car and sing them to her, looking out the window dramatically pretending I was in a music video, but I really started taking songwriting seriously around the age of 13. There was a group of people around my age going to these songwriting camps and I wanted to see what it was about. It was there where I wrote some of my first full songs and realized I truly wanted to do this forever. Fast forward to late 2016, I had a bunch of songs I was sitting on and decided I wanted to release some of them. I’d put a lot of thought and intention into who I wanted to be as an artist and what message I wanted to spread, but I concluded that if I thought too much about it, Love You Later never would have been brought into existence. So here I am, still trying to figure out who I am, praying people will join me on this never-ending ride.
"Keepintouch" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
It was late summer 2021 and my boyfriend had just left for tour and several of my close friends had started dating people. It took every stubborn bone in my body to be happy for them but in reality, I felt so isolated. I realized I was selfishly blaming them for why I felt so out of touch with myself and I needed to learn how to be alone again. The song was one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in my life thus far and I’m eternally grateful for it.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process? How was it like to work with Bre Kennedy and Kyle Dreaden on this single?
The day we wrote the song, I was feeling really heavy with all of the feelings I mentioned in the last question, but knew that I had no choice but to write about it - and I’m so glad we did. Bre and Kyle have become some of my good friends because of the music we’ve gotten to create together. The session basically became a therapy session because they’re always really good at supporting my ideas and feelings but not overstepping. It’s such a good feeling when you really gel with other creatives and they are definitely two of my favorite collaborators.
When did you know "Keepintouch" had to be a single?
Honestly, the second we wrote it. I knew it had a powerful enough message and story that it needed to have its own visuals and world surrounding it.
What's your favorite thing about this song?
My favorite thing about the song has to be the vulnerable, “No BS” lyrics paired with the adventurous melodies because they’re essentially a little piece of my heart and I think that’s pretty apparent.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The mood board for the visuals includes a lot of auras and moods narrating feeling centered and balanced within. The artwork was actually created from a BTS photo taken by Audrey Bergeron and Reagan Renfrow created an aura around it with his insane design work. The specific aura I wanted to encapsulate the colors of “serenity” which I think I am always chasing.
What do you want to accomplish with this song?
The main thing I want to get out of the song is for people to truly connect to the lyrics. Whether it’s something they’ve felt before, are feeling, or will feel. I’m hoping the song is placed in the right people's hands that relate to it. I’ve heard songs in the right place at the right time that have done miraculous things and I can only hope that happens with this ‘Keepintouch.’
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
For me, the hardest part is comparing myself to others and because of that, falling into a trap of feeling defeated and unmotivated. Of course, I always try to remember that every artist’s path is so unique and we’re all going to get to where we need to be, but it’s easier said than done. The best part about being an artist is hearing from people / getting messages and DM’s from people who say that my music has impacted them in some way. That will never get old and always hit me so deeply - it means the world and reminds me why I started Love You Later in the first place.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Today’s music industry is a wild ride - but I truly haven’t met anyone who disagrees but we signed up for it, lol. I think music itself and the community that surrounds it is a beautiful and magical thing, but the industry aspect can be extremely brutal. I’ve had to accept a lot of aspects of the music industry because they are some things we can’t change. But if I were to change one thing, I would say songwriters need to be paid fairly, and right now, it’s not even close. Of course, I’m a songwriter myself but I also have other roles which help sustain me. But some people are solely songwriters, and kudos to them because it is such a hard game when it shouldn’t have to be. It breaks my heart because there would be no songs, no music without songwriters.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I could think of a few but there’s one that stands out since it was recent. Last week, MTV tweeted at me and said they had my music on repeat all day. I grew up watching MTV and dreaming of making music videos like Fergie’s ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ so it was a pretty cool moment, to say the least.
What biggest lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
Patience - knowing "my time" will come. Since I started Love You Later in 2017, I thought by now, I’d be playing festivals and touring with bigger acts, getting my songs featured on playlists like New Music Friday - you know, the artist's dream. I know it will happen eventually, but I’m constantly having to trust the process and it’s easier said than done.
What advice would you give to artists out there?
The biggest advice I would give is - to be true to yourself and don’t give rejection too much power. Your time will come and what should be, will be. The right people will come along and champion you at the right place and the right time - I believe that it all has to line up in order for it to feel right. You’ll be rewarded for being patient and driven.
Besides music, what are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about equality, cooking, driving with the windows down, cooking, taking the side roads, traveling, being kind to yourself, and treating others with the same kindness.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Practicing more selflessness and kindness. Less ego and more empathy.
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
I want everyone that hears my music to connect to it in some way so they don’t feel so alone or feel like they’re the only ones who are going through what they’re going through no matter how big or small their feat may be. Everyone is welcome today and every day to feel their feelings in the universe of Love You Later.
Connect with Love You Later: