Live review: Kita Alexander leaves her mark on Perth with intimate set
Research emerged last year that found that streaming platforms with their algorithmic recommendations have created a monoculture dominated by US and UK artists, leaving very little room for homegrown talent to truly flourish.
As so many artists are getting lost in the mix, now and again someone with such discernible talent comes along that they just can't be ignored; and that's Kita Alexander.
She's been kicking around for a decade now, working hard to cement her position as an indie darling in Australia and capturing the attention of US pop star Madison Beer and UK pop diva Dua Lipa, who both asked her to support them on tour.
Aussie artist Kita Alexander.
Aussie artists' desperate plea for change
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Aussie artists' desperate plea for change
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Now 29, Alexander, who's married to Australian professional surfer Owen Wright, has experienced some chart success throughout her career, with her single Hotel going 2x Platinum after its release back in 2017.
What struck me most about Alexander was the warmth that emanated from her the moment she stepped out onstage. As someone who beforehand knew only of Alexander's album track I Just Killed A Man – which is genuinely one of the most meticulously crafted break-up songs I've ever had the pleasure of hearing – I wasn't entirely convinced how easily she would be able to win me over with a relatively short set of 15 or so tracks. But any doubts immediately melted away from the moment she sung her first note. Sometimes you meet someone and are inexplicably drawn to them and their energy, and Alexander has that in spades.
Kita Alexander. Picture Lachie Millard
Her voice sounds like a blend of the pop rock sensibilities of Olivia Rodrigo paired with the warmth and smokiness of a 1920s jazz club singer, and some of the nuances in her delivery that she brought to songs depending on what genre they leaned into brought them to life so wonderfully.
Communication was a clear standout for me, a gorgeous slice of glittering break-up pop that would feel at home on Taylor Swift's Midnight's record. Her cover of Djo's modern classic End of Beginning was so enrapturing that my partner turned to me and was convinced it was her own original song. The last handful of songs was banger after banger, kicking the set into a higher gear and with the small but loyal crowd in the palm of her hand singing back lyrics.
Alexander would occasionally take a moment to have a giggle with the crowd and let her personality shine through, but there was one moment where she spoke earnestly of having children at a relatively young age that I really connected with, and it's those times when an artist really gives you an unedited glimpse into the lives that truly helps you form a better understanding and appreciation for their discography.
It seems clear to me that with a team and a label behind her that believes in her talent, Alexander is one breakout hit away from becoming a powerhouse within the music industry Down Under, and I don't think it could happen to a more deserving woman.
Now go and listen to I Just Killed A Man and give Alexander the streams she deserves!
Originally published as Kita Alexander leaves her mark on Perth with intimate set
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