Often compared to Feist and Stevie Nicks, Vancouver Island’s Alexandria Maillot just released her new single, “The Judge,” on Friday. Performing since the age of seven, Alexandria was scouted by David Foster at age twelve, has worked with Randy Bachman, and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network. She’s performed at music festivals such as Rifflandia, Riverfest Elora, and Iceland Airwaves, and toured extensively across Canada and the EU.

SDTC: What was going on in your life as you were writing your latest album?

AM: I moved into a little A-frame behind my mom’s house in her backyard and was feeling pretty mentally and emotionally depleted. Lots of personal dynamics at play, and I was looking for a release. Living in a cabin in the woods with limited WiFi did a lot of good for my focus. I was able to reflect a lot on what led me to moving back home, and it helped me sort out a lot of uncertainties in my life. The album is very much stream of consciousness.

Describe your dream vacation/getaway scenario:

I live on Vancouver Island, which is already an oasis. But, a weekend away in a Ucluelet cabin during storm season is my favourite escape.

Who/what is commanding a lot of attention in your life lately?

Music is a giant baby that eats up all of my resources, so that keeps me pretty busy.

What have you learned about yourself in the past year?

I think I have finally learned how to let my body thrive…by listening to it. Lots of water, rest, exercise, whole foods. I enjoy seeing my body as it shrinks and expands and goes from strong to soft. It changes every day, as all bodies do. But I think we are slowly starting to work together, which I would say is a giant feat.

What is a fun little-known fact about you?

I am deathly allergic to horses. Not sure if that’s fun.

What book/film/show have you connected with recently, and what about it appeals to you?

Currently, I am listening to the audiobook Braided Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I have had goosebumps the entire time reading it. The author also narrates the audiobook, and has one of the most soothing voices. I could not recommend it enough. I might even start a bookclub just so I can talk about this book forever.

What’s the worst piece of career/life advice you’ve been given?

That artists have an expiry date and that if you haven’t made it by a certain age then you should consider changing your trajectory. Such horseshit.

What is your motto at the moment?

Do better.

What are the qualities you like least and most about yourself?

I dislike how easy I let myself down and how often I will fight for others but not for myself. I like how I am able to travel and connect with others regardless of language barriers. Learning from others is something I really cherish, and I become a better person the more I listen.

Rewind five years. What advice would you give yourself?

You will learn so much about yourself and your resilience, so just be easy and let change enter your life without resistance. You will be so proud of yourself for it.

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

I feel a bit like the Cowardly Lion in the sense that I’m still sort of searching for my courage. I do think getting up on stage to be a pretty significant act of courage, though.

What childhood memory makes you laugh out loud?

My cousin and my older sister always ended up making videos on our camcorder whenever they were together, and one time they let my younger sister and I be a part of their fake news show, which had several segments including a weather forecast, breaking news, and an Aquafina commercial. I got to do the commercial segment, and the slogan we used for it was, “Aquafina equals flatulence,” and basically the commercial was a series of close-up shots of my face in various places of my house taking a swig of water out of an Aquafina bottle, followed by an audible fart noise (from our very professional sound effects department). I still have the video. It’s a masterpiece.

What unnecessary object would you love to own?

I would love to own a high-quality flour maker. I don’t bake a lot, but I think making fresh quinoa and rice flour would be a lot of fun and really up my pancake game.

What tip, technique or hack has made your life better in the past year?

Learning how to become more handy has bettered my life exponentially. I started learning to sew and patch up broken clothing, which has given old clothes new life and ends up being a real stress-reliever. Who knew stabbing pins into fabric did that?!

What issue do you wish people took more seriously?

Climate change.

What outfit makes you feel the most you?

I love over-sized clothing. The bigger the better. I live in hole-ridden sweatshirts and jeans at home. I will always choose comfort over fashion.

Who/what has surprised you lately, and how?

Children always surprise me. Their curiosity for life is what makes me the most excited. I remember that feeling of discovery and how big the world used to feel and how I didn’t even know how to live life with limitations or fear.