Musician, mother, activist
Elexa Dawson presents a sultry, spirited performance with original music and a "warm honey mixed with prairie dirt" voice. Her newest album, "Music is Medicine" released December 6th, 2019.
The founding member of Kansas' folk homegrown favorite, Weda Skirts, Elexa is a born entertainer and skilled songwriter. Two albums self-produced by The Skirts (Many Moons - 2016, Mother - 2018) present a collection of songs that are influenced by her Potawatomi and Oklahoma heritage, nature, family, love and loss, all with a hopeful and heartfelt tone.
Elexa performs solo, with a blue folk trio and with Weda Skirts at private and public events, gatherings, pubs, and campfires.
Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?
I've been singing all my life.
What inspires you or sparks your creativity?
Emotional honesty, exploring relationship, historical stories, being in good community.
What projects are you working on now?
I just released a solo album, “Music is Medicine.” I'll be publishing music from another project, “Heyleon,” and producing an album with Weda Skirts this coming year.
What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?
I'm a mom, so I get up fairly early to get my kid on the bus. In the mornings I like time to just sit with coffee and mentally plan the day. Then I'm typically reaching out to venues for booking or working on promotional materials.
How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?
It depends, most of the songwriting tends to come in clusters. Working on songwriting every day isn't where I'm at right now. Maybe some day I will have that discipline.
When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?
Sometimes a melody comes first, sometimes it is lyrics. Typically I have a concept I want to communicate with the song and I work with that concept poetically.
How do you know when you’re done with a piece?
Music is never really in its final state. The songs evolve and change with each performance, depending on who I'm playing with.
What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?
I have various natural materials, lots of bones and plants and stuff.
What’s the last thing that made you cry?
I lost my uncle last week so there have been some tears about that.
What are you reading right now?
“Becoming Native to This Place” by Wes Jackson
What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?
I think my favorite songwriter is probably Mike Helvey.
Favorite thing about living here?
I love the Flint Hills and the relaxed pace of living in a rural area.
You can find Elexa’s music and merch at www.elexadawson.com, www.facebook.com/elexadawsonmusic, www.yoitube.com/pickyhitchhiker, or @elexadawson on Twitter and Instagram.