Side A
artist profile   • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• Name: Esther Alexander

• Age: 26

• Birthplace: Watford

• Hobbies: Going to the gym, horse riding, eating out!

• The best Christmas present you have ever received?
No one present is springing to mind but my husband is always really good at choosing things for me that I would buy for myself - especially clothes..... He's really very talented!

• Your favourite time of the year?
Summertime. I hate being cold and I love the sun so I don't mind winter if I get to go on holiday to somewhere warm but summer is great for me.

• Your claim to fame (asides from being an acclaimed artist)?
I don't think I have one really! That sounds very boring doesn't it but sadly I think it's true.

Side B
album   career   faith   • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• What other careers did you consider before becoming an acclaimed songstress?
To be honest singing and writing is what I'd always wanted to do and what really made me feel alive when I did it. However life doesn't always turn out how you expect so I've done a number of different jobs in my time in between doing singing. For example at the minute I work part time at the NEC in Birmingham organising and administrating exhibitions which is great - the people are lovely and we have a laugh and as I work mostly on a music show it's really quite cool!

• Tell us about your album Rhyme Or Reason? What inspired you to do it?
Rhyme Or Reason has really been a dream come true for me. I think my inspiration for the album was that I wanted to write and perform songs that real people could relate to whether they believed in God or not. I realised from about the age of fifteen that music could speak to people in a way that just chatting couldn't and I've just always wanted to write music that is inspired by God but which anyone could understand and enjoy. To be honest I feel that that goal has been achieved with this album and I'm totally thrilled when people who aren't believers say that there's something about the songs that they can't put their finger on but which really affects them everytime they hear it (i.e God!) and equally people who do go to church are also really into it and aren't afraid to play it to their mate.

• Are the songs you've written on the album autobiographical?
Many of the songs on the album are written out of life experience definitely. I remember Barry Kissell saying once that you can't take the people somewhere you haven't been yourself and although he was talking about preaching at the time I think it's equally true in songwriting. People can always tell when you're faking!

• Who are your influences?
Hmmm ... there are so many! When I was growing up my parents played all sorts of music from classical through to the likes of Bill Haley and the whole Rock 'n' Roll thing but they were also into Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and then there was of course Abba, Cliff Richard ... so the full range really. However as I grew up I started to get into U2, Tracy Chapman, Marvin Gaye and more recently I'm into Beth Orton, Jill Scott, India Arie, and I guess my music reflects that diversity really with some more R'n'B style tracks interspersed with some soul and then more pop.

• What advice would you give to people who wish to follow in your footsteps and go into songwriting?
My advice is to write what's in your heart. It may not be what everyone else is in to but I think honesty in music is quickly detected and if it's heartfelt and true then you could well be successful. I would also encourage people to get people around them who will give an honest opinion. I am really fortunate to have people around me who aren't phased by telling me an idea been done before or that the lyrics or tune need developing or even scrapping!