Australian singer-songwriter Cleo Alexandra recently unveiled her new single/music video, “Cigarette Lover,” a deliciously dark rock song with hints of pop.
Transitioning from beauty queen and winning Miss. Australia to burgeoning Oz-rock star, Cleo’s self-titled debut album revealed her momentous talents. Working alongside legends like Rick Springfield, she infuses her alluring sound with raw realism and a fierce edge.
Guided by Grammy-winning producers, Cleo’s sound is a fusion of danger, allure, and boldness. Each track throbs with sultry intensity, morphing familiar melodies into electrifying riffs and hypnotic beats.
The video for “Cigarette Lover” was created using Kaiber AI. The captivating lyrics alongside the constantly moving and flashy visuals combine to make this a work of art at a time when artificial intelligence taking over the music industry.
Tattoo.com spoke with Cleo Alexandra to find out more about the inspiration behind “Cigarette Lover” and her unique sound.
How would you describe your own music?
I would describe my music as a work of many contradictions that somehow work together. My sounds are heavy yet delicate. Honest but not limited to reality. I love blending hard rock elements into my music, It’s what I love the most. It’s such a release to create music that really captures me creatively.
Tell us more about “Cigarette Lover.” What was your experience of making it?
My new single ‘Cigarette Lover’ is for when you’re in your villain era and need a song to sing at the top of your lungs as a cathartic release while trying to move on from your toxic ex.
The experience of making the track with my producer JJ was so freeing. The final version of the song compared to the demo is much darker in tone and has more of a cinematic feeling to it. It was a cool experience to hear how the song evolved and became so unapologetic with its darker approach in the lyrics and general soundscape.
Can you share the inspiration behind the track and the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
I wrote the song after a traumatic experience in a destructive relationship of my own. I satirized the experience along with the dark places it took me while trying to move on from my toxic ex. The song personifies the pitfalls of an unhealthy relationship. As toxic as a cigarette, every minute spent with this person causes damage spiritually, physically, and mentally. That experience was the inspiration behind the song.
JJ my producer first sent through just an instrumental track which I loved. I immediately started writing with that particular bad experience in mind – then from there the song basically wrote itself, it didn’t take me long at all.
Why did you choose to use AI to create the video for “Cigarette Lover” rather than go the more conventional route?
I created the music video using Kaiber AI to really lean into that darker atmosphere the track conjures up. Although there was a learning curve, it was such a liberating experience creatively as I could take the satire of the song to the extreme and bring to life the fictional storyline of a murderous villain known as the Cigarette Lover who is on the run from the police after escaping from prison. I wouldn’t have been able to take the storyline there if it wasn’t for using AI, so it was a great choice for this project.
With “Cigarette Lover” what was your main focus? What did you really want to try and achieve with this track?
Whenever it comes to writing a song my goal is to make sure it’s authentic to me creatively. If I’m not inspired by the track, why would anyone else be? My aim is to always make sure it’s exciting and inspiring. I definitely feel I have achieved that with ‘Cigarette Lover’ so it’s exciting to finally have it out in the world for others to hear.
What sets your sound apart from others in the rock genre?
I feel I do bring a lot of pop elements into my tracks. Behind the heavy guitars and drums, my music is very hooky and could easily become a pop song if you stripped away the rock elements. I’m rock but I don’t limit myself to it – but of course, I’m not the only rock artist out there doing that.
Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently if you were to start your music career over again from day one?
Truly, I wouldn’t do anything differently, I have regrets and I still have a lot to learn – but I love where I am creatively. I am also very aware the only reason I have arrived at this current destination is because everything has unfolded the way it has. Therefore, I wouldn’t do anything differently.
What’s your definition of tone and has your tone changed over time?
Tone to me is best when the song requires a certain energy. The tone supports it and brings that energy to life. Tone is a key factor. I feel that my tone will always evolve as I plan to mess around with new technologies to get rad sound ideas with every new song I write or produce.
Which artists have been inspiring you lately, or that you feel are consistently pushing boundaries and changing the game?
I’m really inspired by the Aussie rock band Violent Soho at the moment, they are my go-to when I’m picking what to listen to at the moment.
Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?
The writing and recording for sure. Creating something out of nowhere and hearing it come together is magic to me. I will never get over the songwriting process, it’s so much fun.
Based on your own experiences and lessons learned, what guiding principles or words of wisdom would you share with aspiring artists looking to carve out their own path in music?
If you make sure your music and style are true to you then you can never go wrong. Even if it doesn’t achieve what you were hoping, you will never be disappointed as long as the creation process fulfilled you. The rest can then fall to the side. It’s tough out there and the music business is brutal, but you’ve got this – as long as you’re proud of your work that’s all that really matters when it comes down to criticism, streams, etc.
What’s next for you?
Next up definitely look out for the ‘Cigarette Lover Remix!’ Produced by Cali Beats from the UK, it’s going to be an amazing follow-up, along with the lyric video for ‘Cigarette Lover’ which was released just this week!
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