Lexi Elisha is a bright new talent on the Christian scene. Transitioning between pop and country with amazing dexterity while maintaining a strong sense of continuity, Lexi has assembled a collection of inspiring, uplifting and emotionally-infused music that will appeal to a broad spectrum of Christian music fans. I recently had the opportunity learn more about Lexi and her music ministry. This is not just good ministry. It’s truly good music as well.
JesusWired: Hi Lexi. Thanks for taking the time to give this interview. I find you music refreshing and the message inspiring. I hope this interview will help shed some light on you as an artist as well as the heart behind your ministry. Please introduce yourself and tell me a little bit about yourself.
Lexi: Hi! My name is Lexi. I’m just your average 20 year old, except my job takes me all over the country. I have an obsession with cats and everything that has to do with music and cooking. In my spare time I’m a student at Valparaiso University, a touring recording artist, and a worship leader at my wonderful church Road to Life! I’m just kidding, I don’t have spare time…but I love my job so I don’t mind at all!
JesusWired: How do you find the time to juggle all these activities?
Lexi: My planner – After I wake up and spend time with Jesus, I write down minute-by-minute what my day will look like. I am an organizational freak; the only way to accomplish everything that I have to do in a day is by a detailed schedule.
JesusWired: I know your mom is actively involved with your music career. Tell me about her role and the importance she plays in both your career and your life.
Lexi: Both my parents are involved in my career. My dad manages my band (who are some of the coolest, most talented guys ever) and my mom keeps track of publicity, marketing, and advertising. But more than that, they are my biggest fans and extremely important mentors in my life. Without them believing in this dream with me, I wouldn’t be doing this interview today…or music at all for that matter.
JesusWired: Where do you call home?
Lexi: I have tons of homes…my car, my parents house, the lake house. For simplicity sake, I’ll say home is Valpo, Indiana!
JesusWired: How long have you been writing music and how did you get started?
Lexi: I wrote my first song in Estes Park, Colorado after I lost a competition through GMA. I was fifteen years old and absolutely heart broken when they told me I wasn’t a very good singer and shouldn’t quit my day job. God allowed that really vulnerable moment in my life to be used in a big way. I found my outlet.
JesusWired: Tell me about the title of your new EP, Eventually. What’s the meaning behind the title?
Lexi: Eventually to me means a lot of different things. “Eventually”, the title track means eventually I might have to walk away from somebody that I really love. Dating on the road is not the easiest task, and I learned that in a very real, and lonely way. I had to write about it, the truth of that situation in my life had to be talked about or I was going to go crazy. But eventually in the other songs means “eventually, God, I will realize I can never do anything to earn your grace, or eventually I will see myself as you see me”. Eventually tells my story of finding the beauty in not being perfect.
JesusWired: I noticed this EP did really well out of the gate. As an indie artist, how were you able to create the momentum necessary to land the EP in the Top 100 sellers on iTunes for a respectable amount of time?
Lexi: Can I be really honest? Of course as an indie artist you pray that your record will hit the charts for your genre of music when you release…but did I think it would ever creep up into the top 100 let alone the top 50 and then 20? No way. I stayed in the top 100 best selling Christian albums for over two weeks. It was madness and could have only been done by having the coolest God in the world, and the best fans out there.
JesusWired: Eventually is a really solid EP. I’ve listened to it quite a lot since receiving it. How did you go about determining the first single to release? What was it about “I Choose Love” that made it “the one?”
Lexi: Thank you so much! I really think “I Choose Love” captures who I am as a person. I knew I wanted it to be the first single before the mixing and mastering process had even started. While writing “I Choose Love” I was constantly exposed to my own selfishness in my relationships. I don’t always feel love. There are days when I get frustrated or upset. I often find it difficult to know how to love people like I love my family, my friends, and myself. It’s easy to love on my best days. But when the rubber meets the road, love is what I am commanded. I am to love like Christ loved. Before anything else on the record was released, I wanted my listeners and future listeners to see that this was my heart’s message.
JesusWired: Have you thought about your next single? Are you leaning toward a specific song at this time?
Lexi: I have and I am. There are two songs we are deciding on right now. If I want to go the unconventional route, I already know what the next single will be…and I am just crazy enough to maybe, possibly do it.
JesusWired: What is your favorite song from the EP and what makes it so special?
Lexi: That’s so not a fair question; I am way too attached to choose one over the other (laughs)! “Stay” and “County Line” are so close to my heart. Like countless worship songs do, many songs off this record started with heartbreak and grief. A ton of healing went on during the writing and recording of those two songs, they are very special to me.
JesusWired: Describe your typical fan.
Lexi: Awesome, fun, beautiful on the inside and out, cat lovers, pop music obsessed, kind, thoughtful, wonderful wonderful wonderful people!
JesusWired: From what I’ve read you’ve done some shows with some pretty impressive artists. Who are some of the biggest names you’ve performed or toured with?
Lexi: I’ve played with a ton of incredibly talented artists. One of my favorite shows was with Clint Black. The energy was crazy.
JesusWired: Do you perform at secular events or stick mainly to the Christian circuit?
Lexi: Both. I don’t discriminate; I love everybody! (smiles)
JesusWired: Do you have a game plan for sharing the message of Christ when you perform or mingle with fans after the show, or do you kind of just shoot from the hip?
Lexi: It depends on the situation. I give my testimony during every show no matter where I am. A lot of young women have dealt with same demons I’ve dealt with in the past. I have a game plan when it comes to tackling the questions and advice for that specific situation. The rest I just take one step at a time.
JesusWired: What’s your most memorable experience from the road?
Lexi: My very first tour definitely holds the most memorable moments for me. I was 16 and on tour for a summer with my band in blue mini van and four cases of ramen noodles. The people on the tour literally took me in as their own and mentored me. I was gone for two months, and I missed home so much but I knew then it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I also won this duck in a vending machine in Pizza Hut after one of the shows; he hasn’t missed a show since…he sits at the merch table with me.
JesusWired: Which artists inspire you?
Lexi: Jon Foreman, not because I’m obsessed but because he’s got some of the best lyrics in Christian music (in my humble opinion).
JesusWired: What song or album is currently on repeat in your iPod?
Lexi: Jon Foreman’s Winter EP.
JesusWired: Everyone seems to have a slightly different definition of what it means to be a Christian. What’s yours?
Lexi: I am no theologian (even if my minor is theology). For me personally, I have encountered the true and living God in such a real way that my life has forever been changed. Because of that the only thing I desire is to follow Him and bring glory to Him through my life.
JesusWired: Is there one verse or passage from the bible you’d consider a cornerstone for your life?
Lexi: Jeremiah 29:11. I don’t have the plan, God does. (Editor: Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)
JesusWired: What are your long-term plans for your career?
Lexi: I want to do this forever. I know with a lot of hard work, and God’s grace and guidance that I will continue to make music for the rest of my life.
JesusWired: Thanks again for your time, Lexi. It was truly a pleasure getting to know a little more about you and your ministry. I believe God has big plans in store for you.
Lexi: It was my pleasure. Thanks for having me.
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You can purchase her “Eventually” EP on iTunes and Amazon and you can view Lexi’s “I Choose Love” video below.
To learn more about Lexi, please visit her online:
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