Interview with Alex Porat
Introduce yourself!
Hi, I’m Alex Porat. I’m a musician from Toronto, Canada, and I write pop music that sounds like it’s straight from the pages of my diary.
Your newest single, “girlfriend,” was just released on February 24, 2021. What is this song about?
The song is about a girl who doesn’t want to be labeled as a “girlfriend.” It’s a comment on the double standard that exists when a guy can get away with acting like a boyfriend and go free of judgment when he doesn’t want to take things seriously versus when a woman does it and is judged for that same behavior.
Introduce your new EP, bad at breakups. What inspired it? What is it about? And sonically, what is its sound?
The EP is about a phase in my life when the songs I was writing all revolved around the idea of an end to a relationship. I really struggle with forgiveness, and so I can hold a grudge for the longest time, which ended up helping when it came to writing the songs. Sonically I think it’s four corners of how I feel when it comes to a breakup, so they all sound very different from each other. I think of it almost in phases, and each song represented its own feeling in the world of “breakups.”
As a young female artist of mixed Asian and white descent—how has your mixed identity affected your creative upbringing? Your music? Your career?
Growing up in North America, I was deprived of artists in media that looked like me. I struggled to relate to the people who I saw being successful in music and entertainment. I think I tried my best to feel like I belonged in a place where I knew I didn’t fully fit into. It somewhat forced me to be a bit of a shapeshifter and made my dreams feel very far away and almost unattainable. As the years passed by, I found a love for media in different parts of the world, like K-Pop, and then over time, I gained more confidence in myself. With that confidence came a very strong urge to push the message of the lack of Asian representation in media as far as my voice can go because I think it’s important to eradicate the feelings I felt like a kid in today’s youth.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
Inspiration for my songs usually comes straight from my life and experiences. This past year was pretty sparse when it came to life’s adventures, and so that forced me to step beyond my first-hand experiences and find inspiration in other issues that exist in society.
How has this time of COVID-19 affected you and your music/career? How have you been coping?
It’s been very interesting for me to see how I’d feel emotionally being stripped from a lot of social interaction I’m used to having. I’m a very social person, and I love people and being around people. The few times in the past year that I’ve been able to go into a studio are so cherished in my mind that sometimes I dream about those days. I’ve been coping through sunlight, daily phone calls to friends, and attempting to drink more water.
What does self-care mean to you? How do you take care of yourself?
Self-care, to me, is taking care of your mind and body. I’ve recently found a love for pilates, and it’s really helped me feel better in my space and body. I also started journaling every morning/night and reading books—currently reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
Is there anything you wish you knew when you began pursuing music? Any piece of advice you have for others pursuing their musical dreams?
I wish I knew that I would be okay. I always had this fear that things could somehow spiral, and my life would be over if I made one wrong decision, but that’s never the case. My advice to anyone who is pursuing their musical dreams is to keep going. Just keep going. There will be a hundred “no’s” for one “yes,”—but that “yes” will feel so good.
Here are some rapid-fire questions:
Your go-to coffee shop order?
Doubleshot on ice!!
Any special or secret skills (i.e., wiggling your ears, etc.)?
Sleeping at 5 AM.
Music you’re listening to right now?
“Susie Save Your Love”—Allie X & Mitski
“r u okay”—Tate McRae.
Ultimate comfort food?
Curry, sushi, or pasta—don’t make me pick, please!
What has been the highlight of your day today?
The highlight of my day today was hearing a mix of an upcoming song.
What is upcoming for you and your work?
More music! I’m excited to put these next few songs out and hopefully some fun visuals to go along with!!!
