Barefaced, but for a flick of winged eyeliner, it’s hard to imagine that the quiet young lady wearing headphones in the corner of Flora’s cafe was THE Alexandra Alden.

She’s much smaller than I had imagined, birdlike and softly spoken, in that same - paused - tone we grew accustomed to hearing as she graced our screens throughout the first ever season of X Factor Malta.

A lot of the Maltese public who hadn’t heard of Alexandra before were curious as to who this new face was—this English speaking, often boldly critical elfin brunette. Now that the X Factor is over, she’s become a household name and a local celebrity, but off screen, who is Alexandra Alden?

Hi Alexandra! It’s great to meet you! Let’s talk about music. How did you get into music and what’s your background in the industry?

"I completed a degree in jazz in Rotterdam and I’ve just released an album. I’ve always had a natural affinity for music. I remember singing to myself as a child, since I was so shy. Singing felt like such a personal, precious and intimate thing. I started writing poems when I was about six, and I would play this little keyboard we had behind the sofa. I was exposed to all different types of musical genres from a young age, and growing up, my family home was always very creative - my mum would be painting and dad playing guitar."

"After having been in a couple of school plays, I realised I wanted to perform, and watching my great uncle Marc Storace inspired me after I had seen him perform at Simon’s Pub. He became my hero, a true rock star who toured with Alice Cooper in the '80s. When I was around twelve my dad bought me my first electric guitar which motivated me more. I just wanted to make songs but I didn’t know how, so my dad taught me how to play and we had a sort of little band and wrote together. I was also taking classical singing lessons at this time."

"When I was around 14, I just wanted to be in a band, and I would go to bands’ practice spaces and audition, but none of them wanted a 14 year old as their lead singer! I was too young. My luck changed when I was 16 when an English songwriter called Martin McNeil, who was working with Jimmy Bartolo in Malta, recruited me into their band as a backing singer. At the same time I recorded my first EP, and released my first single in Malta which went to Number 1."

"A high point for me was also playing Teatru Unplugged for three nights at the Manoel Theatre in 2013, and I haven’t really looked back since!" 

Wow, you’ve worked really hard for this! What musicians - past and present - inspire you and your music most?

"Nick Drake, who was a songwriter and who died young, is a real inspiration. He never really had much commercial success, which made him depressed, and he took his own life. He was an exceptional, unparalleled guitarist. Jeff Buckley, who was another who died young, as well as Bill Callahan, and Joni Mitchell of course!" 

"I also appreciate a lot of electronic acoustic music, like (Dutch two-piece) Weval, and I’d like to explore that sound more." 

Songs like Wild Honey and Thyme off your latest album have undertones of environmentalism. Is this something you feel strongly about?

"Absolutely. It’s hard to ignore how much the world is changing due to human impact. Pollution, construction, air quality… nothing about it is sustainable. It’s worrying - I feel worried. People are disassociating because it’s hard to deal with, but the way we’re treating the world at the moment will have consequences."

You’re not wrong…Where are your favourite places to be in nature in Malta?

"I really enjoy going to Għar Lapsi. I love rock climbing, and my dad is the president of the Malta Climbing Club. It’s the best feeling, being out in the countryside, watching the sunset after a day of climbing then heading down to a cosy bar. It's the perfect day!"

"I used to spend a lot more time out in nature and I hope its something I can balance out again."

What new musical projects are you working on?

I'm about to go to New York on a spontaneous writing trip with a friend - I hope it will be inspiring! And, I’m working on my next album, as well as a project with English guitarist Adam Taylor whom I met in at University. It’s a strange new step because, with songwriting, you’re at your most vulnerable state; the process is very personal and we took that risk. We have a connection that only comes a few times in life. We’re the same ratio of introvert to extrovert!"

Sounds great! We can’t wait to hear the new material. Now, let’s talk about the X Factor. What was it like being a judge? Do you get recognised out and about?

"Yeah, actually! People tend to do double takes. I was in Valletta the other day and two little girls came up to me and asked if they could have a photo with me - it was so sweet!"

"I got the call to appear as a judge on the X factor when I had just finished my degree, so it came at exactly the right time. They wanted someone who was a team player - an attitude which I have in general. I went in with the formal mindset that I had been through, and treated the audition process as if they were auditions at a conservatory."

"I always wanted to give constructive advice. I was looking for a person with a unique message and something different to offer who sparks curiosity in the panel and public. It’s talent scouting essentially; the people in the finals were there because of the group effort - Malta scouted them out."

You received quite a lot of backlash on social media at points. How did you cope with the criticism? 

"I am quite a sensitive person and it did affect me a lot. It was a roller coaster - there were many ups and downs. I’m very self critical anyway, which is quite a dangerous combination. People who know me reached out to me throughout that time. Actually, even strangers reached out to show their support."

"After the elimination of all my groups, my reaction received a lot of coverage because it was on TV. I apologised for the criticism of the public. I still feel that the girls were overlooked, but they did extremely well. Fourth Line have stayed together and so have Kayati, and they’re working on their own music. The show gave them an amazing opportunity and a platform to stay in music."

From the Rococo Belle gown, to the Deconstructed Għonella and the infamous Fuchsia Caesar Dress, fashion was a huge part of the show towards the end. Couturier Luke Azzopardi dressed you for the live shows. That must have been fabulous! And let’s not forget that headdress…

"Working with Luke was incredible. He has a vision and he brings it to life in an exquisite way. He’s a local genius. He knew exactly what would work for each show - we collaborated and have similar approaches towards art. I could happily wear his stuff for the rest of my life!"

"Funnily enough, the headdress didn’t feel unnatural at all until I was out there! From the chair challenge onwards, the atmosphere did actually feel like the colosseum, with all the booing and cheering, so in the end it was actually quite a fitting outfit!"

The X factor smashed local television ratings and revolutionised the standard of Maltese productions. What do you think Maltese TV needs more of?

"I think it needs more seasons of the X Factor."

What advice would you give aspiring singer songwriters and musicians?

"Write more songs and perform. Get a lot of experience in. Don’t think about anything else. Don't think about the fame because that stuff will develop naturally and fall into place when the time is right."

Thank you for taking the time to speak to us Alexandra! All the best with your new album!