Music Waves Q&A: ECHOS
learn more about ECHOS through dipity's monthly music interview spotlights
Introduction
Alexandra Norton, professionally known as ECHOS is an ethereal vocalist that sings about healing from trauma. When she’s not writing sad songs of her own she enjoys thrifting, driving around in the rain listening to even sadder music, and spending time in nature. She often talks about her obsession with caffeine online and even sells her very own mugs. You may recognize her voice from featuring on various electronic projects over the years such as Illenium, Seven Lions & Dabin, or perhaps from her earlier albums like Even though you’re gone and AFFIRMATIONS.
Q: What is your name? AND Where are you currently located?
Hi! Thank you so much for having me! My name is Alexandra and I’ve been making music as ECHOS for 11 years now. I am from the forests of Washington state!
Q: What’s the story behind your artist name?
The name ECHOS was chosen from the lyric in a Paramore song called “Misguided Ghosts” the line is “But I’m just a ghost, And still they echo me, they echo me in circles” and I loved that line so much I’ve always felt like my thoughts echo me in circles and so that’s how the name was chosen.
Q: How did you begin your journey into the world of music? AND How long have you been in the music industry?
I started singing at a really young age and kind of always knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. I started writing songs and poetry when I was nine and I joined my first band when I was 14. I started ECHOS when I was 19 so that means I’ve been in the industry for 11 years now! What a journey it’s been. I feel like I’m just beginning in a way.
Q: What inspires you as an artist? Give us some insight into your creative process.
I’ve always felt like ECHOS is a place that I can put all of the things that feel hard for me to say out loud. Singing has always made me feel seen and heard and I used to sing when I was younger to calm myself down from anxiety. So for me it’s always been a self soothing mechanism. I’m so grateful that it can resonate with others to help them do the same.
Q: What's your favorite song you've released? AND Why?
Oooo this is such a hard one I feel like it changes depending on the mood I’m in haha, but the one that keeps sticking out to me the most is one that hasn’t been released yet called “TOLERANCE.” I love every single song on the new record so much but there was a really special moment I had while recording the vocals for “TOLERANCE” that gives me chills when I think about it. I remember sitting down and I didn’t have any of my recording gear with me that day for some reason so I was singing through my laptop microphone just to be able to get the idea down but it felt like I was channeling some otherworldly energy. After singing it, I fell to the floor crying because it felt like I had released a lot of old wounds through that song. I tried to re-record the vocals I had recorded through my laptop microphone so they’d be “studio quality” but no matter what I did I couldn’t recreate it. So the lead vocal of that song is the demo vocal recorded straight through my MacBook. I recorded a few harmonies that way too and then later added harmonies using my SM7B but I just love knowing sometimes it doesn’t matter what equipment you use—it’s about the feeling in the moment of recording the song that matters more.
Q: What's an upcoming project or which event(s) are you excited about?
I am so excited about my new album coming this January 2025 titled Quiet, In Your Service it’s about healing from a toxic relationship and reclaiming my voice. I felt like I had lost myself and through the creative process of this album I found those parts of myself again—and new ones that I didn’t even know existed. These songs are meant to be played live so I am hoping to put together some shows for it as well—I haven’t toured in a really long time so I’m really looking forward to getting out on the road again!
Q: We love to read and get inspired by lyrics. Share the title of a song and its lyrics (one of your favorite songs you've either written or released).
I’d have to reference “TOLERANCE” again. I just love the lyrics behind that song so much—to me it’s about realizing I’d been giving this person power over me and my ability to think clearly. When you’re in a really toxic relationship with a narcissist it can feel like you don’t have control over your own thoughts anymore. It was the moment I realized that the reason I felt so powerless was because I had been pouring all of my energy into a relationship that was absolutely draining the life out of me.
And now I’m suffering The consequence From giving you All of my oxygen Cause I don’t think you were honest Unless I did what you wanted You kept the key Hidden from me So I wouldn’t start a problem And you had me walking on the tightest rope Anything to let you go And now I’m suffering The consequence From giving you All of my oxygen And I’m building up A fucking tolerance Just to feel nothing When I look at you When I look at you You treated me like a project Made me believe I was broken Like I needed God But you were the one Holding my neck for your profit And now I’m suffering
Q: What are your thoughts about the world of poetry?
I absolutely love poetry. I started writing poetry before I started writing songs. I actually have a whole secret Tumblr filled with my poems—it’s called “nothingleftinmylungsforyou” which is an old ECHOS lyric. I’m really inspired by writing mini excerpts of a thought or feeling—and as for a favorite poet I really really love Sylvia Plath. Here’s a few [excerpts] of my poems from my Tumblr:
"There’s a silent ache that lies between the bed and the couch Constantly waiting for midnight to arrive If I’m asleep I don’t have to feel anything" "And maybe I’ll feel closer to you through the distance Or maybe we’ll both start to forget Do you remember what I look like? Do you remember what I felt like in the morning?"
Q: What are some fun facts that your listeners may not know about you?
A fun fact about me that many people might not know is that before I started pursuing ECHOS full time I worked at a coffee shop, a sandwich shop and I was a nanny to a wonderful family. All of those jobs gave me the flexibility to still pursue my dream of working on my music. My favorite job without a doubt was the nanny position with the family I worked for. They treated me like family too and I had so much fun. I watched one four year old and we would go to all sorts of parks, gardens, museums. I loved that job so much.
Q: What was the last song or music video you watched that you recommend others check out?
The last song I listened to earlier today was “715 - CR∑∑KS” by Bon Iver. And the last music video I watched was last night! I was watching Doja Cat’s “Say So” MTV performance from 2020 where she did a metal version of her own song. I love that video so much her stage presence and performance is incredible [here]: Doja Cat - Say So (MTV EMA 2020).
Q: Who are some of your favorite artists and musicians that you listen to?
One of my favorite artists at the moment is Ethel Cain—her poetry is my all-time favorite and her ability to world build with her songs is incredible. Something about her voice just invokes such a deep emotion in me. My friend Ronit showed me her music in 2020 and I’ve been hooked ever since. Another favorite artist of mine right now is Spiritbox—Courtney LaPlante has such a beautiful voice and her lyrics really speak to me. I always say I love to make and listen to music when I can’t make sense of things and Ethel Cain and Spiritbox have been my go-to the past few years when I’m looking to process emotions.
To Check Out More of ECHOS Music Visit:
Instagram: @echosofficial
Follow and listen to more on Spotify [Here]
Check out [TikTok Here]
Visit Facebook [Here]
Subscribe to YouTube [Here]
Additional Credits: [Top Banner Photo]: Slater Goodson @slatedawgg
Any other thoughts, comments, or shares after listening and reading the interview?
[Interview Processed By VFORROW]
Thank you so much, ECHOS, for sharing and submitting to Dipity Lit Mag! ~ Jazz Marie Kaur (Vevna Forrow).
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