LA-based electro-dream-pop duo Exes, comprised of singer Allie McDonald and producer Mike Derenzo, recently gained a great deal of media attention with the release of their singles 18 and Twentythousand. The duo creates music inspired by exes, but contrary to what you might expect. EXES are finding their inspiration not only in people of the past, but places and things too.
Today Allie & Mike are sharing a collection of favorite tracks with SSW.
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SSW: What were you two both doing before you came together as EXES? Tell us about yourself and your background.
Allie: Before EXES, I was doing the singer-songwriter thing. At around 16, I started posting covers and original songs to YouTube. I gained a bit of traction (not sure how—most of the videos are super embarrassing and pretty terrible hah). At 18, I moved to LA to study at LMU. Mike and I met at LMU where we were both studying communications. Mike was making beats in his dorm room at the time. I was looking for a bigger, more complex sound, and he was looking for a voice. So, we decided to try writing together and eventually decided to form EXES.
What type of music did you grow up listening to and what was the first song you ever fell in love with?
Allie: I grew up listening to a ton of quirky female artists (Kate Nash, Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor, Lily Allen). I think the first song I ever fell in love with was “The Blower’s Daughter” by Damien Rice. I remember being like 12 and listening to that song over and over in my bedroom, escaping the reality of my awkward middle school days and living in this beautiful, tragic world Damien Rice created with that song.
We’ve been following your work since we first heard “Grey”. Since then you guys released 2 tracks- “18” and “twentythousand” that made us completely fall in love with what you do. Tell us about your songwriting process. Any stories behind those songs?
Allie: First off, thank you for all the love and support from the start! Feels nice to have people believe in us and our feelings. We actually wrote “Grey”, “18”, and “twentythousand” before completely understanding what this project would turn into. Mike has a garage-turned-studio in Venice Beach where we wrote (and still do write) about our worlds, our heartbreaks, our hopes, and our dreams. Our songs are all products of our real experiences. We’re in our 20’s and pretty emotional people so we have lots of material. We wrote these songs because we needed them—to heal, to remember, to forget. It’s crazy to think that people around the world need our songs too.
EXES #playlist
You are currently working on your debut EP, What kind of vibe should we expect?
Allie & Mike: Yes, we are both very excited about this debut EP. We were inspired by feelings of nostalgia and wrote about the people, places, and things of our past. Production-wise, the EP is a bit dreamy and atmospheric. Lyrically, we wrote honestly and without hesitation. We poured everything into these songs, and we cannot wait to share them with you guys.
What are some projects that you consider “classic?”
Mike: Transatlanticsim by Death Cab; My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West; For Emma Forever Ago by Bon Iver
Who is on your top 3 list of artists you would want to collaborate with?
Mike: Jack Antonoff [bleachers, fun., steel train], Ben Gibbard [death cab], and Benny Blanco.
What is your best piece of advice for those looking to get their foot in the door in the music industry?
Allie: Make the music that you want to make. Write honestly and openly without thinking too much about your audience. Yes, it’s great to keep your audience in mind, but if you write for yourself first, the audience will follow—they’ll listen—they’ll relate. Too often, the creative process is poisoned by the pressure to crank out hit songs. Believe in your words, your melodies, your music, and don’t be afraid to expose yourself emotionally.
Thinking of yourself as souls on Earth, what do you think your purpose is? And in what way do you think one person can make the world a better place?
Allie: I love this question. I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but I believe that our purpose is to create music that inspires and connects. Art—whether it be music, poetry, illustration, performance, photography, literature, etc.—has the ability to prevent human beings from feeling alone. With the over-bearing presence of the internet and social media, we live in a very isolating world at the moment. Art is still around because we need it. We need to feel connected to something bigger than us. We need to hear a lyric that somehow expresses the feelings we couldn’t quite put into words. Music is truly some kind of magic.
Which current peers of your industry inspire you?
Mike: gnash, Jon Bellion, and Elohim
Any stories connected to the songs you chose to share with us today?
Allie & Mike: No stories, really. Just a handful of tunes we’re into at the moment. Enjoy 
Interview by Irina Liakh
