Alexa Joyce: “There’s a real pop snobbery, and it’s lame”

It’s a freezing November evening, but that hasn’t stopped tons of partygoers lining up outside the venue doors when I join Alexa Joyce inside for a pre-show chat. Already dressed in her zebra-print shorts, black crop top and impeccably slicked-back ponytail, the Liverpool pop star is visibly buzzing with anticipation ahead of going on stage. Tonight, she’s playing at the inaugural Sound Bite party, created in partnership with Johnnie Walker Black Label. As we talk, Joyce comes across as equal parts zesty and confident, with little to no hesitation but plenty of playfulness in her answers. It’s precisely the same spirit that embodies Joyce’s music. 

With a catalogue of influences ranging from Spice Girls to George Michael, Joyce’s music is an unapologetic blend of pop and disco that never fails to get a crowd dancing. And of all the Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktails served this evening, the singer is delighted to discover that the one named in her honour is called ‘Disco Inferno’. When I ask which tipple is Joyce’s favourite, her answer comes quickly and paired with a laugh. “Well that one, obviously,” she says. “That’s me!” Joyce is right, of course, and her set later in the evening is irrefutable evidence of the artist’s contagious disco fever. 

Now in the green room, Joyce pulls her wired headphones from her ears — through which she’s been playing a pre-show pop mix to get her in the zone — to divulge her favourite tracks, profess an undying love for her vocal warm-up straw and confess being lulled to sleep by the Backstreet Boys. 

Hi, Alexa, how are you? Are you excited for tonight?

I’m good! I can’t wait, I’m so excited.

What’s your favourite song to play live?

That’s like asking to pick between your favourite kids. But the one I’m most excited for tonight is probably ‘Nightlife’. I’ve not performed that one live before, so I’m really excited to see how it’s gonna go down.

If you could have added one more song to your setlist tonight, what would it have been?

It’s a song called ‘Super Love’. I recorded it in LA with a producer called Burns and an amazing songwriter called Dave Gibson, and I’m obsessed with it. It runs around in my head all day, everyday.

What are some of your backstage must-have items?

My warm-up straw, for sure. I could not live without that little green thing over there before I go on stage.

Following on from that, do you have any pre-show rituals?

Honestly, the warm up straw! And then just listening to fun pop music. 

Do you have any go-to songs at the moment?

I actually was just listening to a cheesy hits Spotify playlist. That was the name of the playlist — “Cheesy Hits”.

What was it that made you want to become a musician?

Well, my parents said I could sing before I could talk. I was always making some form of noise as a child, and I just love music. I grew up in a real musical household. It was never ever quiet. I just love it.

Do you remember the first few songs that were on your repertoire, that you’d sing all the time?

Apparently when I was a baby I wouldn’t fall asleep unless ‘As Long As You Love Me’ by the Backstreet Boys was playing, so probably that. Or ‘Dance The Night Away’ by The Mavericks; anything George Michael and Stevie Wonder’s ‘Do I Do’.

If you could be in the soundtrack of any movie, which one would you choose?

Pretty Woman, one hundred per cent. I feel like any iconic ’80s film, I would be right in it. Or Saturday Night Fever, that would be very iconic. 

What is your most controversial pop music take?

I don’t think I have a controversial one. I think pop music is awesome. The controversial take would be that I feel like it has got a bit of a bad rep. People think it’s — what’s the word that I’m looking for? Basically, I feel like people don’t take it seriously. The snobbery! That was it. Pop snobbery, for sure. I always remember that, even as a kid in school. My dad loved Britpunk and rock music, so he brought me up on The [Rolling] Stones, Oasis and the Beatles, and all those bands, so I had a real vast music education. However, I feel like there’s a real pop snobbery, and it’s lame. Pop’s awesome! It’s just fun. 

Did you have any posters in your room as a kid?

I actually didn’t, which is so wild. But my sister did. My sister’s a couple of years younger than me, so she was really immersed in One Direction, and I have a vivid memory of her having the full bedding situation. But everything that I was obsessed with as a child was before my time. I might not have had posters as a kid, but in my apartment at the moment I’ve got Spice Girls wallpaper from 1997. 

If you could steal any artist’s on-stage wardrobe, whose would you choose?

Anything Cher, when she’s in Bob Mackie. And Madonna. 

Johnnie Walker’s ethos is ‘Keep Walking’. Can you share a moment in your journey where you chose to keep moving forward? A moment that helped shape yourself as an artist?

Covid. When Covid happened I’d just signed my first deal. I was supposed to move to LA in April 2020, and then that happened, so coming out of Covid and pushing to get it all back up and running again was so annoying. But so worth it.