How to Be a Successful Artist

We had the pleasure of interviewing Begonia over Zoom video! Powder Blue, the highly anticipated new album from Begonia—the solo project of alt-pop Canadian artist Alexa Dirks—is out now on Birthday Cake Records. The album was written and produced by Begonia, Matt Peters and Matthew Schellenberg (Royal Canoe) with contributions from Jason Agel (Björk, Kelly Clarkson, Prince) and Joe LaPorta (FKA twigs, beabadoobee, Solange). The new collection of songs wrestles with life's thornier moments in more evocative ways. When describing the namesake behind the new album, Powder Blue, Begonia turns to vivid imagery: her baby blanket, the airiness of clouds on a summer day, chlorine-filled water in a hotel pool, circa-1970s Elvis Presley wearing an ill-fitting jumpsuit and her collection of faded denim jackets. Ahead of the project, Begonia shared album singles "Married By Elvis," "Cold Night" and "Right Here" which received critical acclaim from CBC, Wonderland, Line of Best Fit, Indie88, Daily Star and Globe & Mail. In celebration of the new album, Begonia is set for a run of U.S. shows in select cities this spring. The dates include a performance at New York's Mercury Lounge as well as further shows at Los Angeles' Hotel Cafe, Nashville's The Basement, Portland's Hawthorne Lounge and Seattle's Sunset Tavern. More dates to be announced soon. Powder Blue follows Begonia's 2017 EP Lady In Mind and debut album Fear, released in 2019 to widespread critical praise. Fear received a nomination for Alternative Album of the Year at the 2019 Juno Awards and also earned Begonia a nod for Polaris Music Prize. As Begonia, Alexa Dirks creates bold, surprising pop that is tempered with sensitivity and wisdom. In her music, Begonia leans hard into a sense of arrival. Whether it's learning to come into her own or processing a brutal heartbreak, Dirks' intimate lyrics and audacious sound allows for her audience to relate to the messiness of life with an honesty that is refreshing. Despite the turmoil from which it emerged, Powder Blue represents Dirks feeling settled by coming to terms with her past and present—from religious conflict to exploring sexuality and managing mental health, the new album finds Dirks wrestling with life's thornier moments in more evocative ways. We want to hear from you! Please email Hello@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #Begonia #PowderBlue #LadyInMind #Fear #NewMusic #Zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bringin-it-backwards--4972373/support. https://bringinitbackwards.com/