Frex is an up-and-coming alternative and R&B artist who is gaining traction in the industry thanks to her chill lo-fi beats, melodic voice, and relatable lyrics. Her new single, “Used To” featuring Jordan Ward just came out this month, and it’s the perfect song to blast during cuffing season. Keep reading for the inside scoop on Frex’s music career and new single.
What gave you the confidence/courage to quit business school and move to LA? Did you find this confidence suddenly, or was it a process?
I guess, looking back, it was a process and not necessarily a sudden decision. I was working on music while I was in school, but I never thought I would drop out. Over time, I started taking music more seriously, and school just got to a point where I had reached my limit and couldn’t stand spending so much time doing something I didn’t care about at all. At the beginning of college, I was just happy to be out of the small town I’m from. By the end of it, I was only there to make my dad happy.
I felt like I had an opportunity in LA because my friend Felly put me on his album in 2017, and I was working on my first project ‘blu’ so I just felt like “the time is now.” Looking back, it was pretty ballsy of me because I still had so much to learn and so much developing to do, but I’m happy I did it.
How would you describe your style, and where did you get the inspiration for your signature orange hair?
Good question! My top style icons are my mom, Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, and Rihanna. I love 90s simplicity mixed with a little bit of edge. I also really love where sexy meets tomboy. I’ve been keeping it tomboy and casual the past two years, but I’m feeling a more femme resurgence coming soon.
The hair is just me living out my middle school and high school dreams because I was never allowed to have my hair this color at the catholic school I went to. I think a lot of my style comes from what I thought was cool at that time in my life.
How does your process change when making music by yourself vs. with a featured artist?
I don’t collaborate a lot, so I honestly don’t have much experience. But, if I do collaborate with people, it’s because I trust their taste, which makes the writing process easier because I can bounce ideas off of them. I also feel like it’s easier to move the session along because I feel obligated, in a sense, to let that person leave with a bounce of whatever we made that day.
When I make music by myself, I’m super shy and can be very critical, so having another artist in the room can help that.
What thoughts and feelings do you want people to walk away with after listening to your new song “Used To”?
I hope this song resonates with people who are entering into new potential relationships and are terrified of the outcome. I hope they can listen and find comfort while dealing with the very human experience of putting themselves out there, even though they might get hurt. This song is about that moment right before you jump off a cliff with someone you like, and you’re just praying that they weren’t lying about bringing the parachute.
How would you describe the feeling of performing live? What does performing live mean to you?
Performing live is awesome. As an artist, I tend to work on music so much in the studio. I listen to it over and over again by myself, and music can lose the original effect it once had when you made it, and you can’t tell what’s good anymore. But then you go on stage and you see how much it resonates with people and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of the whole thing.
Performing live, to me, is about connection. I’m not alone when I write these songs.
What was your experience like at New York Fashion Week? How did you use this experience to promote your music/build your brand?
I love NYFW. I went to the AREA show, which was my first show ever. it was amazing. I’m completely fascinated by the whole thing. Honestly, I think I need to work harder next year because I feel like I didn’t do enough. It was my first time, so I was just trying to keep up. Now I know what to expect, so I’ll be ready.
Look out for a new project from Frex in 2024. In the meantime, you can watch the music video for “Used To” below.
