Los Angeles-based music artist, songwriter, and producer Alex Ritchie joins Mona Lindgren and Austin Sexton in diverse Artist Spotlight roster
In line with the brand’s ongoing commitment to elevating new music from emerging musicians around the world, the annual Gibson Artist Spotlight program will showcase an evolving roster of musicians who will be featured across Gibson global and international channels.
The Artist Spotlight program debuted in January 2024 with Austin Sexton, recently added Mona Lindgren to the ranks, and now it welcomes Alex Ritchie.
Alex Ritchie is a Los Angeles-based music artist, songwriter, and producer. She’s also a proud GRAMMY® Next alum and a music consultant for film and television. Alex has worked with the likes of Ziggy Marley, music supervisor titan Tracy McKnight, super-producer and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., and many more.
Alex became the youngest sitting committee member in the history of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles Chapter, where she served for four years advocating for LGBTQ+ and Asian American representation in the music industry. After a three-year hiatus, she recently released the singles, “Go” and “Blueprint.” We caught up with Alex on the day of the release of “Blueprint” to find out more.
How would you describe your music?
“Honestly, I always tell people it’s alternative/R&B/rock—but any time one of my songs makes an editorial playlist it goes straight to “pop,” which I can also appreciate. At the end of the day, it’s an amalgamation of all my influences; from the kid who listened to Bob Dylan, Carole King, and Cat Stevens via my parents, to the tween who blasted System Of A Down, Linkin Park, and the KROQ station while at the skatepark, to the young adult who started writing hooks for rappers in college and producing pop, rock and R&B. The end result is all my new music—including my single “Blueprint,” which comes out today!”
What is your favorite piece of Gibson gear?
“Honestly, I am a sucker for my Epiphone Wilshire. It looks so cool and it rips with its P-90 pickups. It also has some sentimental value because it was the first guitar the Gibson family gave me when I became an artist ambassador. For me, the Wilshire is a symbol of the start of an amazing relationship with an iconic brand… as a fully independent artist, I couldn’t be more thankful for that.”
What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
“As I mentioned above, I am 100 percent indie, and have been since I started—no manager (though I think that’s about to change), no publisher, label, publicist, or agent. I’ve been doing music over half my life now and it really has been an uphill battle; however, there have been some insane moments.
“Coming up in the industry as a no-name, no connection kid from humble means was difficult—it was also so tough to exist as a front-facing entertainer in the early 2010s as a mixed-race, Asian LGBTQ+ female. We lived in such a different world at that time, one where diversity was not on the radar, nor seen as all that important. In fact, all the things I’m being celebrated for now, were what made me a commercial leper back then. I was constantly overlooked or told I would never be commercial in the American music industry.
“Out of necessity and lack of faith from the industry, I had to be resourceful and carve a path for myself alone… but I will say there are a few industry angels who still believed in me and gave me a shot when they could. Special thanks to my GRAMMY family—GrammyU was so helpful for me and over the years influential industry players like Kelley Purcell, Qiana Conley, Yvonne Faison, Brittany Presley, Sean Smith, John Loken, and Harvey Mason Jr. gave their time and helped me connect dots that got me to where I am today.
“Reflecting back, there are a few highlights I still can’t believe—Gibson being one of them. But the one that’s thrown me for a loop was this past GRAMMY season… it was wild, and my carpet walk got an insane amount of attention. To still be indie and still named and mentioned alongside global superstars felt incredibly affirming to me. It felt like all this work, stress, moments of such anxiety and doubt were all worth it. To experience this journey from when I started to today… I don’t know how to even describe the contrast. I’m just so thankful.”
What would be your dream artist or producer collaboration, and why?
“My dream collaboration would be with either Imagine Dragons or Post Malone. Both their music has heavily influenced me, and it is constantly on rotation. Also, just watching how they’ve evolved and managed to stay relevant over a decade is so inspiring. I believe it will happen at some point with both of them — hopefully sooner than later.”
What does being part of the Gibson Artist Spotlight program mean to you?
“Man, as someone who no one really expected much from… it means the most. What an insane thing to experience. Gibson is iconic and to be supported by such a brand is an absolute privilege. Thank you so much to the Gibson family, especially the team in LA—Rae, Adrianna (who I’ve known since my GrammyU days during her time at the Recording Academy), and Lorenzo. The support you’ve all given me has been game-changing to say the least.”
What’s next for you?
“Well, my first single of 2024 is out today: Blueprint. I am so proud of it and it’s just the beginning of a series of singles set to be released over the course of the next 12 months. I finally feel like I figured out my sound for this era in my life and I feel confident it’s my best work so far; I also have a better handle on release strategy and more resources than I ever had before so I am humbled and grateful.
“Also the creative team is amazing—from production to mixing and mastering, I found a crew of immensely talented and trusted creatives and I am so thankful they have jumped on this boat with me. Special thanks to my co-producer Troy Tang, mixing engineer Heidi Wang, my videographer Mowgli, and Jett Galindo at the Bakery Mastering for helping me crush this one.
“In addition to new music, I also have some partnerships in the works with major brands, live performances on the way, and a couple projects in the works in the film and TV space. 2024 is going to be a wild ride, and I am so ready. It really does feel like a decade of work colliding into a single year. I do want to take a moment to thank everyone who’s been supporting from the jump and I want to say hello to all the new listeners. I would love to have you on this rollercoaster with me, so send a message or say hey at a show… I can’t wait to meet you.”
Find out more about the Gibson Artist Spotlight program and visit Alex Ritchie’s Artist Spotlight profile.
