Interview with Lex Allen
MILWAUKEE - (Apr. 17, 2019) - With a style of music that combines elements of soul, r&b, singer-songwriter, electronica and more, Lex Allen is a Milwaukee treasure and a truly original and immensely entertaining artist. With a mantra of “being true to yourself above anything else,” and referring to his fans as his “beauts,” Lex Allen quickly endears himself to his audience with his palpable charm and infectiously charismatic personality. This joy of life and passion for performing is reflected in Lex’s music. 2018’s Table 7: Sinners and Saints LP made many critics’ best-of-the-year list, and includes the fantastically catchy single, “Struck Gold,” which was prominently featured at the Milwaukee Film Festival. Lex is a prolific artist and has been busy in the studio, releasing the single, “Your You,” towards the end of 2018, and preparing to drop his brand new EP, I.D.E.N.I.T.Y. this spring, on April 26th, just a day before he performs at the Rock the Green Earth Day Celebration.
Known for shows that are immensely entertaining, Lex Allen has rightfully drawn comparisons to the late Prince for his eclectic, energetic, and diverse style of music, and his magnetic stage performance. Recently, Rock the Green had a chance to connect with Lex Allen to talk about music and sustainability:
Rock the Green: How’s 2019 treating Lex Allen? Musically what’s on tap for you this year?
Lex Allen: 2019 has set me up in the most beautiful way possible. After finishing Blackline, (a twelve week accelerator to help musicians take their careers to the next level) I’ve been able to tap into parts of me that I haven’t done so in the past. I have a new project set to be released on April 26th called I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y. It’s a three track E.P. that touches on where I’ve come from so far and where I’m going as a person and artist. I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y. centers on the whole idea of self-expression letting go of the past and stepping into who you are. Sometimes you have to be loud for people to understand you, and I think the message comes across clearly in I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y.
Rock the Green: Back in 2016 you played Rock the Green with New Age Narcissism on the pedal power stage. What was that experience like for you as an artist?
Lex Allen: That show was so much fun! I love performing with New Age Narcissism (NAN), as they are dear friends of mine (New Age Narcissism features notable Milwaukee musical stars including: Webster X, Lorde Fred33, Siren, and Q-The Sun). I found it very empowering to perform at the Rock the Green Sustainability Festival along with New Age Narcissism because people were literally powering the stage. It was a cool combination of the fans and the artists working together to keep the show going and provide something truly special for the audience.
Rock the Green: On Saturday, April 27th you are playing the pedal power stage, this time solo with your drummer and guitarist, for the 2019 Rock the Green Earth Day Celebration. What are you most looking forward to about this performance.
Lex Allen: I love the fact that it’s family friendly. Rock the Green is great about that. You can draw a very different audience during the day at an event like this than you can draw at an evening event at a 21+ venue or club. My little brothers can come which is awesome. I also love that I’m performing at Estabrook Park, a place that is special to me and that I love. We’re celebrating all of us working together to clean up a place in one of Milwaukee’s beautiful parks. Estabrook Park is a place that holds such a special spot in my heart. Me and my pops used to spend hours hanging out fishing near the river. We ended up one day laughing the whole time trying to watch my dad catch fish. That stream is strong and it brings back so many fond memories. I love it there and am so excited to perform in a great location that is dear to my heart.
Rock the Green: Rock the Green’s mission is to help promote environmental sustainability and provide attendees with information about ways we all can be more mindful about waste and the environment. Could you please share your thoughts on sustainability?
Lex Allen: If you care to care, then take care. If you care about your family, if you care about yourself, if you care about future generations, then you will do things that limit your carbon footprint on the planet. Being more mindful about your actions in regards to sustainability will help you become much more aware about the little things that you can change in your day-to-day routine that can help in the long run and help with the next generation of people who will inhabit our fragile planet. If you set examples for kids at a young age, then the potential of us saving this little round ball of ours becomes much more attainable. This is a tough question, but it’s important to lead by example. Get involved in community groups, do the river clean up, pick up trash in your neighborhood. Little things matter-- as easily as you can check a notification on Facebook or Instagram, you can see a piece of trash and clean it up. We all need to work together to help sustain our lovely planet.
Rock the Green: As an artist, is there anything you do in particular to “rock the green,” so to speak and be environmentally conscientious when you perform?
Lex Allen: Totally… my stage outfits are a great way where I take pride in ‘rocking the green,’ so to speak! In the retail industry, clothes are not meant to last like they used to. It’s very sad… the lifespan on clothes is not like it used to be, and many of the clothes that one can purchase now at big stores are not designed to last more than a couple of seasons. That can create a lot of waste in all sense of the term. I’m big into thrift. I thrift like nobody’s business! All of my performance pieces are meant to last. Me and my friends love to trade clothes. I remember watching a video about how many thousands of pounds of clothes end up in the landfill. I downsized my whole closet and donated a ton. If I see something new, I gift the older clothing to someone else for them to enjoy instead of putting it in the garbage It’s all about doing our part, and I love the whole idea that by not throwing clothing away that I am able to provide someone else with something special and also allow someone to breathe new life into an article of clothing that is still useful. You don’t want to miss the one and only Lex Allen on the Pedal Power stage at 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th at Estabrook Park Picnic Area 8!
Stay up-to-date on all things Rock the Green on social media:
Visit www.rockthegreen.com for more information.
About Rock the Green
Rock the Green is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering the community to take actionable steps to live sustainably. Rock the Green accomplishes its mission through engagement and entertainment. Leveraging near-zero waste efforts, Rock the Green produces engaging events with a minimal eco-footprint. Rock the Green educates through example, through spotlighting other environmental leaders in communities and by sharing experiences and eco-education with our fans. For more information about Rock the Green, go to www.rockthegreen.com.
