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Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Josephine Alexandra (November 2023)

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Over two million followers on YouTube, slightly less on TikTok and still about half a million on Instagram – Indonesia’s Josephine Alexandra is truly a social media star, especially in Asia. Thereby, the 22 year old does instrumental music, piano and guitar. Recently, she toured with the Nacht der Gitarren in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands, which was her first trip (and stage appearance) in Europe. I really loved what she was doing on stage and thus felt very honored that she agreed to do an interview about her recent experience.

 

Flyctory.com meets Josephine Alexandra

FLYC: Josephine, the Nacht der Gitarren tour has come to an end. Finally, you had 28 shows, majorly in Germany, but also in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. What are your feelings about the last weeks?

Josephine: The end of the Nacht der Gitarren tour has left me with a mix of emotions. I’m excited and still can’t believe the amazing experience I had during the 28 shows in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Performing was a blast, and meeting fans brought a lot of positive vibes. I feel grateful for the opportunity. Before each show, I got a bit nervous, but that added to the excitement.

Looking back, I’m thankful for the chance to share music across Europe and connect with such a diverse audience. These weeks were special, filled with good energy, great performances, and meaningful connections with fans. Plus, I’m grateful to have gotten to know the other three amazing musicians personally.

FLYC: How was it like for to play the very last song with the other musicians in Hoofddorp in the Netherlands?

Josephine: Playing the very last song with the other musicians in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, was a bittersweet moment for me. There was a tinge of sadness as I realized it was the end, and I even expressed this to the other guitarists after our duets, saying, That’s the last time we played that song! :(.

Despite the sadness, it was also an amazing feeling to reflect on the success of the 28 shows we had across Europe. Each performance was a unique experience, and the journey had been incredibly fulfilling. Every time I felt a twinge of sadness that it was over, I reminded myself of the cheesy but true quote: Don’t be sad it’s over, smile because it happened. It became a comforting thought, acknowledging the joy and accomplishment of the entire tour.

FLYC: The tour featured four very different guitar players. Jim Kimo West as a slack-key guitarist, Thu Le as a rather classic one, Lulo Reinhardt doing rather gypsy-jazz style and you are doing fingerstyle guitars. What did persuade you to join this very special tour?

Josephine: I joined the tour because of its unique mix of guitarists – Jim Kimo West, a slack-key guitarist, Thu Le with a classical style, and Lulo Reinhardt playing gypsy-jazz. The challenge of blending our different styles intrigued me, both musically and personally.

It was a great chance for me to expand my musical experience and explore Europe. While I had some doubts initially, as I prepared my setlist and packed my bags, excitement took over. As the days approached, I was looking forward to the adventure and contributing to the diverse music of the tour.

The Weeks in Europe Exceeded My Expectations

FLYC: Compared to the expectations you had before the tour, did these weeks in Europe meet what you thought it would be like?

Josephine: The weeks in Europe exceeded my expectations. It was my first official tour, and playing in big theaters and concert venues across 28 cities was even better than I imagined. Initially, I thought performing in front of so many people would be nerve-wracking, stressful, and exhausting. However, it turned out to be quite the opposite.

I remember feeling super nervous in the first show in Lahr, but as I got used to it, performing became like a normal routine that I looked forward to each time. Despite a hectic schedule and cold weather, I didn’t find it as exhausting as I anticipated. Even when I got the flu in the middle of the tour, probably due to the tight schedule and weather, I chose to see the humor in it: Well, at least I got a flu in ITALY. This mindset helped me laugh it off and continue with the tour. Haha.

FLYC: Quite a lot of the shows have been sold out. How did you like the audience on the shows?

Josephine: I loved the audience at the shows! Each show had a different crowd, but interacting with them was always fun. Initially, I thought it might be a serious atmosphere, like a classical concert where the audience stays quiet, which can be intimidating. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I got to talk to them before and between songs, even sharing jokes to lighten the mood. During intermissions when we sold CDs, they were all lovely. Some bought CDs just to support us, and when they realized I didn’t have CDs, they were a bit disappointed. They jokingly said they would watch my YouTube videos repeatedly to help me earn more money—made me laugh!

It was heartwarming to see fans who traveled long distances to attend the shows, like coming from Switzerland to Lahr, Poland to Dresden, Belgium to Hoofddorp, and more. Knowing I have international fans who support me like that was emotional and incredibly rewarding.

FLYC: Is there maybe a special moment you will especially remember? A certain song, a tour stage or similar?

Josephine: There were quite a few special moments, but the ones that stand out the most are the unexpected screwups. In Italy, during the Steinegg show, I played my original single False Alarm for the first time on the tour. Somehow, in my excitement, my thumb pick fell off and got inside my guitar. I ended the song early, explained the mishap to the audience, got some laughs, took the pick out of my guitar for a solid 2 minutes, and then played the song again properly.

Another memorable moment was in Switzerland, at the Schaffhausen show. Thu Le was supposed to perform after my solo set. Normally, I would introduce her, and she would come out on stage. However, this time, she didn’t come out. I had to sit there for a solid two minutes, wondering where she was and encouraging the audience to applaud so she could come out. I was a bit puzzled, thinking, Did she have a wardrobe malfunction? Or did she not realize I had finished my set? Eventually, she came out, not from backstage but from the main door. After her set, she explained that the way from backstage to the stage involved a small, circular staircase from the second floor to the first, and she, wearing high heels, decided to take the nearby elevator instead. Little did she know, it opened to a different building, and when she wanted to return, she couldn’t because it required a key. She met a person there and asked where the stage was, but they had no idea what stage she’s talking about. The person ended up guiding her to the venue, but all the front doors were locked. Thu resorted to banging on the doors until someone inside opened up for her, and she ran to the stage. It was hilarious. There were more incidents like these on the tour, making it quite memorable! Haha.

FLYC: For you, it has been the first time ever traveling Europe. On and off stage, what did you like most – and maybe what did surprise you the most?

Jospehine: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first time in Europe, both on and off stage. One thing that stands out is the vibrant music culture. It’s evident that many people here genuinely appreciate and enjoy music.

As for surprises, the weather caught me off guard. I knew it wasn’t winter yet, but I didn’t expect it to be that cold so soon. And let’s not even talk about the rain – it’s been quite an experience dealing with the European weather!

On the Guitar, I find Joy in playing fast-paced, groovy Songs

FLYC: After talking about the tour, coming to your music. I read that you initially started to learn the piano and even have been really good in it. Your social media also features piano videos. Are there special occasions or songs you rather like to play on the piano – and vice versa, when do you prefer the guitar?

Josephine: Absolutely! When it comes to the piano, I enjoy playing pieces with complex harmonies and melodies, giving me the opportunity to express them more fully. Ballads are also something I particularly appreciate on the piano.

On the guitar, I find joy in playing fast-paced, groovy songs with percussion, along with simple harmonies and melodies. It’s great to have the flexibility to choose between the two instruments based on the mood and style of music I want to explore. Each instrument offers a unique way to express musical ideas, and having the ability to switch between them allows for a diverse and fulfilling musical experience.

FLYC: You do fingerstyle guitar, where you finally even play several parts (like bass and melody) in parallel and even do some percussion sounds. How did you find out that this is the way you want to play the instrument?

Josephine: I discovered my preference for fingerstyle guitar, incorporating multiple parts like bass, melody, and percussion, through a combination of my appreciation for the instruments in songs and my experience playing other instruments. I enjoy paying attention to the various elements in music, and being a multi-instrumentalist, I wanted to integrate those components into my guitar arrangements. My goal is to avoid leaving anything out and create comprehensive arrangements.

Upon realizing from feedback that this approach is a unique way to play fingerstyle, I continued with it. The positive response from viewers encouraged me to maintain this distinctive style in my fingerstyle guitar playing.

FLYC: Over two million subscribers on YouTube, 1.6m followers on TikTok and half a million people following your Instagram account – how do you deal with such a big success on social media? Do you try to visualize the number here and then?

Jospehine: Interestingly, I stopped checking the numbers like followers, views, and comments on social media a few years ago. While I’m genuinely grateful for the support and the large following, I decided not to let those numbers overwhelm or affect me. I used to have high expectations, and if the reaction didn’t meet them, I would feel disappointed. So, by not focusing on the numbers, I can now enjoy creating content that feels authentic to me and aligns with what I want to express.

@jpalxndr.official

Van Halen – Jump || #guitar #guitartok #fingerstyle #guitarcover #fyp #taylorplayer #taylorguitars

♬ Jump – Josephine Alexandra

FLYC: Of course, you are majorly popular in Asia, especially in Indonesia so far. Was it somehow “relaxing” to tour Europe, where you might still be able to walk around freely without people everywhere who know you?

Josephine: Interestingly, I’ve never really been noticed by people when walking around public places in Indonesia. There was only one time in Singapore when someone recognized me on a train, and that was when I had my guitar with me. It seems people associate me more with the guitar. I feel lucky to have a significant social media following while still being able to relax and spend time with my family and friends in public without being recognized. It provides a sense of normalcy and allows me to enjoy moments without the constant attention.

FLYC: You did cover so many famous songs already, either on guitar or on the piano – what has been the nicest or most special reaction by an original artist so far on your tribute version?

Josephine: The reactions I found most exciting came from Rockstar Games and HBO. I’m a big fan of video games, so it was a thrill when they noticed my videos. One notable instance was when I covered the song Cruel World from Red Dead Redemption II, and Rockstar Games reposted it on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and their website.

Additionally, HBO, after seeing my cover of the theme song from The Last of Us, which was adapted into a series, collaborated with me. I covered the song Long Long Time by Linda Ronstadt, featured in an episode that hadn’t been released at the time. In return, they sent me episodes 3 and 4 to watch before the public airing. It was truly one of the greatest moments of my life! You can check out the collaboration here

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von HBO Asia (@hboasia)

FLYC: From that perspective, you were rather close to Jim Kimo West, who is doing a lot of covers as part of Weird Al Yankovic’s band. Are these things you talk about while being on tour?

Josephine: Yes, absolutely! It was a fascinating experience. Jim would often share videos of Weird Al Yankovic, such as his Eat It and Fat music videos, interview parodies, and amusing stories from his time as a guitarist in Weird Al’s band. We also had discussions about the Weird: The Al Yankovic Story movie starring Daniel Radcliffe. Jim found it amusing that there was an actor who portrayed him in the movie. It was a great way to connect and share stories while on tour.

FLYC: During the tour, you also performed covers of big songs like Eat It by Weird Al (some might also say you covered Beat It by Michael Jackson). Are there, by the way, songs you do not “dare” to make a version of? Or do you just go for it if you have a good song and a nice idea how to put them into your music?

Josephine: There are certain songs that I feel a bit hesitant to cover, and one of them is Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s such a legendary and considered a masterpiece that I felt a bit intimidated to tackle it. However, currently, my focus is more on creating original music, so you won’t be seeing a cover of that song from me for a while. I believe in exploring new ideas and making unique versions, but some songs are so iconic that they come with a bit of pressure to do justice to the original.

FLYC: I felt that people really loved what you did at the Nacht der Gitarren. Do you feel that this tour could be a first step to do a solo tour in Europe one day?

Josephine: Absolutely! I would love to embark on a solo tour in Europe someday. The positive response and love from the Nacht der Gitarren tour have fueled my excitement for the possibility. I look forward to the day when I can return with more music, a richer discography, and an even better performance to share with the audience on a solo tour!

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Josephine Alexandra (@jpalxndr)

FLYC: In general, what are your plans for the next months? Will there be more releases soon? Will there be more shows, e.g. in Asia?

Josephine: In the next months, I have a couple of releases planned. First off, there’s my new children’s book titled The Dancing Fingers, which is an illustrated book recounting my musical journey. It will be available in two versions: Indonesian and English. Additionally, I’ll be working on my album, featuring original music.

As for shows, there are discussions about a potential performance in China next year, but it’s not confirmed yet. I’m hopeful and looking forward to more opportunities to share my music with audiences in different parts of the world!

FLYC: Last, but not least, a personal question: what did you miss most after touring Germany and the neighboring countries? Is there maybe something you already look forward to do once you are back home?

Josephine: I’ll miss a yummy chocolate snack called Duplo while touring in Germany. I don’t usually snack much, but Duplo was irresistible! We don’t have it in Indonesia, so I might try another way to somehow get it hahaha.

 

All pictures have been taken during the Nacht der Gitarren shows in Reutlingen and Dresden by Flyctory.com

 

Follow Josephine Alexandra Online

                   

 

 

Detailed Report of the Reutlingen Concert

Nacht der Gitarren (14th October 2023, Reutlingen)

 

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