WOMAN.ca Speaks To Hollywood Darling DJ Alex Merrell
In 1857, a French dude called Leon Scott introduced the western world to the phonoautograph. Then came Mr. Thomas Edison, who crafted and patented the phonograph cylinder only a few years later. In 1892, Emile Berliner showed up to begin the mass production of gramophone records. Then, in 1906, Reginald Fessenden produced the first live audio radio broadcast in all of history. The world heard. And the world was hooked.
These were the men who started it all. They are the forefathers of sound, unknowingly giving birth to what's now known as DJ culture. These fuddie-duddies, in some disengaged yet inescapable sense, paved the way for music greats like Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox, the late Larry Levan and even hipster hero, Mr. Steve Aoki. We have these men to thank for the evolution of records, radio and music entirely. These were the men But, wait.
Where were the women?
Born in Vancouver and raised in a family thick with creativity, Alex Merrell knew from a very young age that she too was destined for the arts. Like any young girl with stars in her eyes, she set off to Los Angeles, where she rubbed shoulders with models, actors, singers and dancers. The people were lively, and the parties even livelier, and it didn't take long in Tinsel Town before she found her niche.
What's better than partying with the stars? Getting the party started, of course. With a little guidance and a lot of hard work, the 22-year-old transformed from Canadian dreamer into DJ Alex Merrell, the bombshell mix master performing at touchstone events for UNICEF and Disney, and opening up for the late (and ever loved) DJ AM.
Today, she speaks exclusively to WOMAN.ca about what it means to be one of the few females in the industry to make it big behind the turntables. 
W: Ok Alex, let's be real here. You don't see a lot of female DJ's. Only in the past five-or-so years have we started to see more women in the DJ booth. Why do you think the industry is becoming less and less male dominated?
AM: There's an innate sensuality women possess that compliments this profession. A woman knows what music women want to dance to. We know how to make people move, how to get them on the dance floor and keep them there.
W: You grew up immersed in a very artistic setting, surrounded by actors, musicians, painters etc. What is it specifically about mixing that drew you in?
AM: My parents are both artists and I was fortunate to grow up in an environment that valued the arts and creative expression. Music has always spoken to me because of it's ability to evoke feelings and emotions on such a deep level. From a young age I was being asked to make mixes for my friends and my parents' friends on a regular basis. My iPod was always playing at parties. People were telling me I should start DJing but I didn't realize it could be a career until I moved to LA.
W: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
AM: I wanted to be an actress. At the age of five, I took my first theatre class and got the lead female role in the Lion King, which I remember being a huge deal. I think I asked my parents for an agent that week and they told me absolutely not. I would have been a pushy stage mother's dream but looking back I'm so grateful they kept me out of the industry and let me have a childhood.
W: Do you feel that you have found a permanent home in the music industry, or do you see yourself venturing elsewhere in 5 years? 10 years?
AM: I absolutely have found my home and feel incredibly blessed to have done so at 22. There will be more endeavours but I can't imagine ever doing anything where music isn't involved. My next step will be going to audio engineering school and starting to produce my own music. I've played around in my friends' studios but I want to learn about everything properly from start to finish. I'm really excited to see where that will take me.
W: Who are some of the females that influenced you most, both in your career and your private life?
AM: I've never had a particular female DJ I looked up to, but my influence on a nightly basis are the girls who come out to hear good music and want to dance. The most important part of creating a good night out is making the women happy. If they're dancing and laughing and having a great time, the guys will follow suit...
W: If I looked at the highest played songs on your iPod, right now, this second, what would I see?
AM: Well, I can look for you. Ok, here are my top 5. Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones, Simply Beautiful by Al Green, Sambinha Bossa Nova by Sergio Mendez & Brazil 66, Knocked Up by Kings of Leon and Boy Like a Timebomb by Noonday Underground.
W: You're Canadian born, and now live in L.A. How has the city changed you?
AM: You mean other than the tan and the collection of flip flops? Oddly enough, living in L.A. has made me much more grounded in my ideals and my opinions on what is important in life. It's easy to get jaded and lost here because a lot people don't know who they are and are focusing on the wrong things. At the end of the day what matters is what all of our grandparents were telling us years ago: family, friends, health, career and love.
W: When you're not working on your music, what do you like to do for fun?
AM: I love being outside, hiking, yoga, going to the beach, long dinners with friends, weekend brunches, checking out galleries and museums, traveling and exploring new places and trying new things. Staying in with my boyfriend has become the ultimate luxury so if I'm not working at night or going to an event I like to keep things low key.
W: What's one thing that every woman should try once in her life?
AM: Every woman should try being single. I've known women who've gone from one relationship to another without a decent break in between. Learning how to be single and how to make yourself happy on your own is an invaluable skill. It makes you a more independent woman and stronger when you are in a relationship.
W: What's one thing that you haven't tried, but plan on trying before you die?
AM: Karaoke!
W: What is the best advice you can give other women who want to be where you are?
AM: Take time to figure out what you want out of life, and when you do decide, be focused and driven and don't take no for an answer. Anything of true value in life is worth fighting for. Don't limit yourself or your dreams. Never compromise your integrity to get ahead. Love yourself. Be good to your friends and family. Make your own money. And don't be afraid to overdress.
 Billie Misha | |
| About the author: | |
| Billie got her start in the media industry as a photographer. Snapping on red carpets and at film events, she quickly learned that if a picture speaks a thousand words, a blogger speaks a million. She has written for dozens of websites and online publications, and loves to scoop stories on the steamiest scandals, the biggest and best trends,and whatever else is making news RIGHT NOW! | |
| Read More >> | |
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