LU: Good job Alexa! Now this album is 100% Trinidad and Tobago content. Do you think that’s a risk when it comes to international appeal?
Q: For me no, it may be local but it is formatted for international audiences. I think, if anything, the greater risk is local acceptance because we’ve never heard anything from us like this. But even soca music is starting to experiment with electronic sound[s] so I definitely believe that, though it may be new to us, we’re ready for it.
AB: There is always a risk. So often with other types of local music, it seems as if thought isn’t really put into the music’s global scope, but we have worked to ensure that the album is mixed and produced in such a way that it is as open as possible when it comes to world reach.
LU: Do you think it’s working so far?
DM: Definitely. Both Major Lazer and Junior Blender of the Supersonic DJs (Germany) have already contacted us for the debut album track “Good Swimma.”
LU: Q-Major, what’s it been like working with Alexa and Damien?
Q: Challenging and fun. Alexa really helped to bring out a creative side I didn’t know I had because she’s always pushing for better. I would send things and she would be like, “No, that’s what a normal person would do. Delete it and do it over.” (Laughs)
LU: Alexa, is it true you gave Q-Major the same deadline for the album draft as your due date?
AB: [Laughs] Yeah. Also my final call to [Freetown Collective’s] Muhammad, I was having contractions and holding off to go to the hospital.