Alexis Strum

Last updated
Alexis Strum
BornChingford, Essex
GenresPop
Years active2002–present
LabelsDouble J Records (2023)
Mercury Records (2005–2007)
Warner Music Group (2002–2003)
Website Official website

Alexis Strum is an English actress, singer-songwriter stand-up comedian and comedy writer.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Strum was born and brought up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Chingford, Essex. [1]

Aged 6, she began writing songs, including a track that resembled UB40. [2] At age 14 she was discovered by Carole White and began a short career as a fashion and beauty model, appearing in The Daily Mail newspaper as one of the 'new faces to watch'.

Alexis formed several local bands, performing Elastica and L7 tracks, before experimenting with computer-aided production, to emulate the sound of a full live band on her own. She studied English at King's College London, gaining a First Class degree in English Literature. Whilst there she held the position of Music Editor of the university newspaper, 'Roar' and also wrote a fashion/ beauty column in a magazine supplement, the now defunct, 'Insync'. Throwing herself into music and interviewing bands for 'Roar', she attended gigs and began playing her own, exaggerating her experience to blag performance spots. After graduating and spending a couple of years working odd jobs and performing here and there across London, she signed her first worldwide publishing deal with Mike Sault at Warner Chappell. She guest vocalled on tracks by Thrillseekers, Lange, York (where she was credited as 'Alaska' on the German single, "Yesterday (Silence)") and Ed Case until in 2002, Strum signed her first solo record contract.

Warner Music

In 2002, Strum recorded an album for Warner Records, with producers as Xenomania. A single release was scheduled entitled "Addicted," with a video added to music television channels, and promo CDs sent to radio, alongside an album sampler. The single was cancelled following lack of interest, as radio and TV expressed concern around the song's lyrical content being about drugs, mistaking a lyric about Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavour, 'Chunky Monkey'. [3] Alexis left the contract soon after.

An album sampler had been circulated, featuring songs "Addicted," "Coming On Strong," "Rock This Disco," "Still Standing", and "Nothing Good about This Goodbye." Following Strum's departure, the album was left unreleased and her publishers shopped songs around; "Still Standing" was recorded by Kylie Minogue for her 2003 album, Body Language and "Nothing Good about This Goodbye" was recorded by Rachel Stevens for her 2005 album, Come and Get It . On 1 September 2023, Warner Records released 10 songs completed for the album as an album entitled Addicted on streaming media. [4]

Universal Music

Strum sought out a new record contract, continuing to write for her publishers before signing a deal with Universal Music. In August 2005, following a spot at the V Festival, Strum announced her debut single, "Bad Haircut" and debut album, Cocoon, to be released in October 2005. [5] The video for "Bad Haircut" video features actor Tom Ellis. The single was released but missed the top 40.

A second single, "It Could Be You," written with Billy Steinberg, was issued to radio and TV. This was later cancelled and replaced by a new song, entitled "Go My Own Way," which was to be featured as the theme song to ITV drama series Vital Signs , starring Tamsin Outhwaite. Both songs were issued as download singles, but failed to chart, and the album was cancelled. Strum was later dropped by Universal Music. In August 2023, Strum announced the album had been signed to Double J Records, for a full commercial release in October 2023. [6]

Bo Pepper and Songwriting

In 2008, Strum was revealed the voice and songwriter behind UK indie group, Bo Pepper, who had been releasing videos starring puppets and receiving attention from UK media outlets. The band consisted of Strum as 'Dolly Molloy', Matt Park as 'Nick Cartwheel', Remy Mallet as 'Will E Nailor' and Danny Conyngham as 'Jonny Dangerous' on drums. Their first single, "Blinkandyou'llmissit!", was self-released in April 2008 on Peppered Records and they were named 'New Band of the Week' by The Guardian in April 2008. [7]

Strum continued to write for her publishers, and wrote songs including "Why Not Us" for the German pop group, Monrose, released in 2008.

In 2010, her song, "Got A Grip On Me" was featured in the UK Channel 4 comedy, The Inbetweeners . [8]

In 2011 and 2012, Strum toured the UK playing Eva Cassidy's sister, Margaret, in the musical Over The Rainbow - The Eva Cassidy Story. [9] Additionally, she starred in an online drama series, touted as the world's first drama series created for smartphones entitled Persona. [10]

In June 2015, Strum wrote, produced and staged a play entitled "Always the Bride", at the New Wimbledon Studio Theatre, about a group of suburban women who all suffer from 'post wedding-day comedown and meet in private to wear their wedding dresses to re-live their big day'. [11]

In 2018, it was announced that Strum had written her autobiography, entitled The Time I Almost... and that it had inspired a comedy documentary series focusing on the topics of fame and failure, overseen by producer Paul Cornwell. The first, and so far only, night of the project was held on Wednesday 24 October at The Book Club London. [12]

In 2023, following an online interaction on social media, Strum discovered that she owned the masters to her second album, Cocoon and began uploading songs from the album to Spotify. [13] The interest led to Double J Records signing her second album, and Warner Music agreed to upload ten tracks that were recorded for Addicted to form a version of her debut album, which was released on 1 September 2023.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Songwriting Credits

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Minogue</span> Australian singer and actress (born 1968)

Kylie Ann Minogue is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. Minogue is the highest-selling female recording artist from Australia, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has been recognised for reinventing herself in music as well as fashion, and is referred to by the European press as the "Princess of Pop" and a style icon. Her accolades include two Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards and eighteen ARIA Music Awards. Time named her one of the most influential people in the world.

<i>Light Years</i> (Kylie Minogue album) 2000 studio album by Kylie Minogue

Light Years is the seventh studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. Mushroom Records released it on 22 September 2000 in Australia; Parlophone released it on 25 September 2000 in the United Kingdom. Following the commercial failure of Impossible Princess (1997), Minogue left Deconstruction Records and took a hiatus from recording music. She signed with Parlophone in June 1999 and decided to return to her pop roots. She worked with various writers and producers, including Steve Anderson, Johnny Douglas, Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, and Mark Picchiotti.

<i>Body Language</i> (Kylie Minogue album) 2003 studio album by Kylie Minogue

Body Language is the ninth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released on 10 November 2003 by Parlophone. Following the commercial success of her eighth studio album Fever (2001), Minogue enlisted a diverse group of writers and producers to aid in creating a new album, including Cathy Dennis, Dan Carey, Emiliana Torrini, Johnny Douglas, and Kurtis Mantronik among others. Influenced by the musical works of the 1980s and artists like Prince and Scritti Politti, Body Language musically differs from Minogue's previous albums, which mainly featured disco-oriented dance-pop tracks, and instead explores genres like synth-pop, electroclash, R&B, and hip hop. Lyrically, the album touches upon themes of flirtation, romance, introspection and heartbreak.

<i>Kylie Minogue</i> (album) 1994 album by Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue is the fifth studio album recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. Deconstruction released it in the United Kingdom on 19 September 1994, while a release was issued through Mushroom Records in Australia on the same date. After leaving Pete Waterman Entertainment, Minogue wanted to establish her credibility and signed with the independent record label Deconstruction in early 1993. She became involved with a diverse group of collaborators in order to experiment with different sounds. After generally unsuccessful sessions with Saint Etienne and The Rapino Brothers, Minogue collaborated with new producers including Brothers in Rhythm, M People, Farley & Heller, and Jimmy Harry.

<i>Kylie</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Kylie Minogue

Kylie is the debut studio album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, released on 4 July 1988 by Mushroom Records. Minogue had established herself as a child actress before signing to the record label in early 1987. The success of her debut single, "Locomotion", resulted in her working with Stock Aitken Waterman, who produced the album and wrote nine of its ten tracks. Their recording sessions, commencing in October 1987 in London and Melbourne, coincided with Minogue's filming schedule for the soap opera Neighbours.

<i>Ultimate Kylie</i> 2004 greatest hits album by Kylie Minogue

Ultimate Kylie is the second major greatest hits album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, and her first greatest hits released under her contract with Parlophone, her record company between 1999–2015. The compilation was released in many different formats including a two-disc edition and a deluxe double disc with a bonus DVD. A separate compilation DVD with the same name, was released to accompany the audio versions. The album includes two new tracks; its lead single, "I Believe in You", and the second single, "Giving You Up". A third track, "Made of Glass", was recorded for the album but not used; it was included on the physical releases of "Giving You Up".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Should Be So Lucky</span> 1987 single by Kylie Minogue

"I Should Be So Lucky" is a 1987 song performed by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue from her debut studio album Kylie (1988). Released on 29 December 1987 by Mushroom Records and PWL Records, the song became a worldwide breakthrough hit; its image of Minogue on the front cover was shot by David Levine. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman for Minogue, and they went on to produce Minogue's first four studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Je ne sais pas pourquoi</span> 1988 single by Kylie Minogue

"Je ne sais pas pourquoi" (English: "I Do Not Know Why"), also known as "I Still Love You (Je ne sais pas pourquoi)" in Australia and New Zealand, is a song by Australian recording artist and songwriter Kylie Minogue from her debut studio album Kylie (1988). Released as a single on 10 October 1988 by PWL, the song has subsequently appeared on most of Minogue's hits compilations including Greatest Hits (1992), Ultimate Kylie (2004) and, most recently, Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection, released in 2019. Like most of Minogue's material between 1988 and 1992, it was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand on Your Heart</span> 1989 single by Kylie Minogue

"Hand on Your Heart" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her second studio album, Enjoy Yourself (1989), and released as its lead single on 24 April 1989. Much like her previous releases up to Let's Get to It (1991), the song was written and produced by English songwriting and record production trio Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW). Referenced tracks during composition included "This Old Heart of Mine" by the Isley Brothers and "That's the Way Love Is" by Ten City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confide in Me</span> 1994 single by Kylie Minogue

"Confide in Me" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her self-titled fifth studio album (1994). It was released as the album's lead single on 29 August 1994 by Deconstruction, Imago, and Mushroom Records. The track was written by Steve Anderson, Dave Seaman, and Owain Barton, whilst production was handled by British trio Brothers in Rhythm. It was recorded in London, United Kingdom at DMC and Sarm West Studios. Musically, it is a pop song that incorporates elements of indie music, dance-pop, and Middle Eastern instrumentation such as strings and percussion, whilst the lyrical content talks about Minogue's earnest of seduction and manipulating people to confide into her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better the Devil You Know</span> 1990 single by Kylie Minogue

"Better the Devil You Know" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, taken from her third studio album Rhythm of Love (1990). The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman and was released as the album's lead single on 30 April 1990 by PWL and Mushroom Records. "Better the Devil You Know" is known as the song that re-invented Minogue with more sex appeal, as her previous albums were presented with her "girl next door" persona. Her music onwards presented a more independent approach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowboy Style</span> 1998 single by Kylie Minogue

"Cowboy Style" is a song recorded by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue, for her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the fourth and final single on 5 October 1998 through Mushroom Records. Minogue wrote the track with Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman while Brothers in Rhythm produced it. Backed by guitars, synthesisers and drum instruments, "Cowboy Style" is a Celtic pop track in which Minogue sings about her relationship with her then-boyfriend, French director Stephane Sednaoui. Critical response to "Cowboy Style" was positive, with praise driven to Minogue's songwriting and the song's composition; some critics highlighted it as a career stand-out track. Released in Australia and New Zealand, the song charted at number 39 on the Australian Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Step Back in Time</span> 1990 single by Kylie Minogue

"Step Back in Time" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). It was released as the album's second single on 22 October 1990, and distributed by PWL and Mushroom as a CD single, cassette tape and 12-inch and 7-inch singles. The track was written, arranged, and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman, who are collectively known as Stock Aitken and Waterman, and was recorded in London, United Kingdom. Musically, it is a disco song that lyrically pays tribute to 1970s' culture.

<i>Neon Nights</i> 2003 studio album by Dannii Minogue

Neon Nights is the fourth studio album by Australian singer Dannii Minogue. It was released through London Records on 17 March 2003. Spurred by her success with the 2001 single "Who Do You Love Now?", Minogue signed a new record contract and began working on her first album in six years with the likes of Ian Masterson, Korpi & Blackcell, Neïmo and Terry Ronald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Do I Have to Do</span> 1991 single by Kylie Minogue

"What Do I Have to Do" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). The song was written and produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman. Originally, the song was planned to be released after the single "Better the Devil You Know", but instead "Step Back in Time" was released and this was released as the third single on 21 January 1991 by PWL and Mushroom. The song received positive reviews from most music critics, who thought the song was an instant rave classic. Its music video was directed by Dave Hogan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shocked (song)</span> 1991 single by Kylie Minogue

"Shocked" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). Written and produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman, "Shocked" was released as the album's fourth and final single in May 1991 by Mushroom and PWL. The song later appeared on most of Minogue's major compilations including Greatest Hits (1992), Ultimate Kylie (2004) and Step Back In Time: The Definitive Collection (2019). The DNA 7-inch mix of the song also includes a rap in the bridge by Jazzi P.

"Two Hearts", alternatively titled "2 Hearts", is a song first recorded by British electronic duo Kish Mauve, written for their 2005 self-titled extended play and later re-recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue for her tenth studio album, X (2007). Both versions were written and produced by Jim Eliot and Mima Stilwell. Minogue's version was released on 9 November 2007 by Parlophone as the album's lead single. The song was Minogue's first commercial single since "Giving You Up" (2005), as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. After the announcement, Minogue took a hiatus between of two years to recover from her illness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Far</span> 1997 promotional single by Kylie Minogue

"Too Far" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, taken from her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). It was written and produced by Minogue, with additional production credits to Brothers in Rhythm. The song is a drum and bass song where Minogue describes her anger and frustration through its lyrics. It contains elements of club music and breakbeat music, and employs spoken word techniques.

<i>Kylie Christmas</i> 2015 studio album by Kylie Minogue

Kylie Christmas is the thirteenth studio album, and first Christmas album, by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released on 13 November 2015 by Parlophone. Following the release of her twelfth studio album, Kiss Me Once, Minogue announced her departure from Parlophone, and her management deal with American label, Roc Nation. Minogue signed an exclusive one-album deal with Parlophone to release Kylie Christmas, with distribution through Warner Music Group worldwide and Warner Bros. Records in the United States. A Christmas music album consisting of thirteen songs and three bonus tracks, Kylie Christmas contains both cover versions and original songs.

References

  1. "Introducing..." The Guardian. 31 July 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  2. "Introducing..." The Guardian. 31 July 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  3. "'A mix-up over ice cream on Lorraine cost me my music career 20 years ago – but now I'm back'". The Metro. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  4. "I'm finally the pop star I dreamed of becoming – and I'm in my forties". The Independent. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  5. "Introducing..." The Guardian. 31 July 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  6. "Proper Music - Cocoon". Proper Music. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  7. "New Band of the Week - No 302 Bo Pepper". The Guardian. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  8. "Alexis Strum lands a starring role at your fingertips". The Jewish Chronicle. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  9. "Over the Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story (tour – Worthing, Pavilion Theatre)". What's On Stage. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. "Alexis Strum lands a starring role at your fingertips". The Jewish Chronicle. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  11. "Kylie Minogue Songwriter to stage Homeland meets Loose Women play". Guardian Series. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. "Comic documentary about failure in development". British Comedy Guide. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  13. "I'm finally the pop star I dreamed of becoming – and I'm in my forties". The Independent. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.