ALEX K. WISNER

I’m still open to giving advice on health, art, depression and getting into philosophical exchanges. As always, I love speaking to strangers about things that matter. So, feel free to email me with anything: iamskandra@gmail.com

I haven’t released music in so long. AKW existed for nearly ten years. So, it’s wild to move on to something new. It feels good, though.

Have you ever worked so persistently on something for what feels like a lifetime only to let it go? It’s like getting over your first love.

I’ve named the new project SKANDRA.

Whether it was instilled by my parents or the rise of self-absorption ignited by technology and my desire to rebel. Or the way my high-school English teacher would loudly point out that I was “special”.Maybe it’s my inability to feel part of many things or close to anyone without rigorous vetting because betrayal stung too soon, too young and my intelligence has always surpassed my emotional strength.I can’t help but feel a bit delusional.Nothing about living in this time and place feels natural to me. I’ve confused that with being irresponsible or maybe even inept but I’ve proven over and over, to myself, that I thrive off accomplishing the seemingly impossible on a foundation of selflessness.So, perhaps whatever this flaw is, it may also be my biggest strength.

You can find it all here: https://skandra.net/

A tucked away space of Songwriter Alex Wisner

Franklin Village, Los Angeles

October 27, 2018

By Anna Azarov

Last week I had the opportunity to talk to and photograph Alex Wisner; an author, singer songwriter, and Founder of Treehouse LA (an intimate pop-up event featuring artists from all over Los Angeles). I came by to Alex’s house in Franklin Village, we walked over through the main house to the back garden, where a separate detached house stood. Inside, painted in her distinct color palette of pale coral-pink and powder blue was her creative sanctuary.

With a cup of tea in hand, Alex shared that often she spends hours being in the space before ideas start to emerge. She’ll wake up around 6am, close the door and lock herself inside for hours. She’ll reread lyrical notes or listen to previously recorded ideas on repeat, sometimes stopping to straighten up or move something around just to get the creative process flowing.

Alex has always had a fascination with words. She has more lyrical ideas than she knows what to do with. As with many, her first instrument was the piano, which she started playing at young age. She went on to study music theory for 8 years , which both opened her mind up to the possibilities while also paralyzing her from composing on a piano because she felt she was constantly making mistakes. So she picked up the guitar and found a sense of freedom in the unknown and unpracticed.

When I asked Alex what types of themes she finds herself writing about, she answered unwaveringly “Betrayal.” The emotion has been a focus of her writing for a number of years. She grew up in a happy and supportive family and was shielded from betrayal for a long time, so when she did experience it for the first time, the moment amplified and left a deep imprint on her life. The first time a friend betrayed her trust, she couldn’t understand how people can do this all the time.  

In 2012, Alex became very ill due to Lyme disease that was left undiagnosed and untreated. Her body began falling apart,  she found herself weighing 70lbs, barely able to get out of bed and move across her room. She couldn’t understand what was happening. Her body betrayed her. To top it off, despite running myriads of tests, her doctors insisted that it was all in her head. They thought she was doing this to herself. Her doctors betrayed her. She realized she had to get out of the hospital before she would be committed to an institution. She trusted her self. She took her life into her own hands and tried everything she could to heal her body. It worked.

She shared that the last time she was hospitalized, when she thought she was going to die, Alex wrote 38 goodbye letters to her closest friends and family members, letting them know what they meant to her and the value that they brought to her life. I asked her if she ever shared the letters with the intended recipients, and she said no with the exception of one.

I wondered what would happen if she did. It made me think about what I would say if I had to write letters to my closest friends and family. How do you truly summarize the value and meaning of those people on your life? Talking to Alex reminded me how little we think of death. How much we take for granted that our life will be ever present until a ripe old age. Perhaps we all need to write those letters now while we still have an opportunity to share our gratitude.

Sunfolk Magazine Interview on Alex Wisner by Lauren Lotz

I’m very excited for the first person in this photo series to be this magical human.

Alex Wisner is a writer, musician, film composer, creator of treehouse, and front-woman of her band AKW.

What do ya do?

First and foremost, I am a writer. I’ve been writing music, poems, stories, plays, scripts and books since I was twelve. I’m a musician and it’s what I do professionally.

I also run Treehouse.  Growing up in Los Angeles, surrounded by fellow artists, it felt like everyone was trying to build their own artistic empires and had little time to pay attention to anyone else. I decided to reach out to friends and see if they wanted to showcase their art with others. The first Treehouse happened in my living room and there were around 15 artists who performed. Some were friends and some were people I had never met before. It was magic watching the audience watch the artist. They were so attentive and so there, listening, taking it in. The people who performed were so talented. I felt like I had just tapped into some alternate dimension where everyone, even the not so seeming, had something magical to offer. I decided to do it monthly. As the months went on, and through word of mouth, it became too crowded, too many strangers to have in my own house. So, I decided to make Treehouse a pop-up event. Treehouse is completely free. We do not get charged for the spaces we use, we do not charge for admission or to perform. We have been doing this for awhile now, and it’s done nothing but expand every month. We all collaborate to try to build the best experience possible.

When did you know you wanted to pursue what you are doing?

I always used to say at the age of twelve. I guess that’s because that’s when I wrote my first set of short stories and also the year I started my own band.

Looking back at my earlier years, I reconsider. I remember having a sleepover when I was 5 years old and forcing my friends to put on a showcase for my parents. I’d ask what their best talent was and then had them practice for half an hour. I’d turn off the lights in my bedroom, use the bed as a stage and I would sit on the side, queuing a boom box and directing a flashlight as a spotlight while they were performing. Fast forward, I find myself still doing this every month.

What might you be doing if you hadn’t pursued this?

I’d probably be a teacher. I have this fear of future generations that I’m convinced will only be solved through art and education.

Have you ever almost given up on your passions? If so, what kept you going?

I’m a bit delusional when it comes to failure. I’m convinced that I have never failed at anything. I’ve sucked at a lot of things, but it makes me laugh when I think about it. I love creating things so much that it’s part of me- like eating or sleeping. Even if I’ve gone through a lull of making money with my art or not succeeding as much as I’d hoped, I just make more. Persistence as a concept is what’s kept me going.

Best advice you’ve received?

One time my dad said “Don’t ever let someone plug into you like you’re a three pronged outlet.”

I think it’s the best advice I’ve ever received. I keep it in mind and I don’t let people into my life who feed off of my energy or suck it all up. No vampires. No parasites.

When do you feel the most inspired / creative?

At the most inconvenient times! I’ll be at a birthday party and run to the bathroom to hide away and write something on my phone.

My other favorite time is in the early morning. Around 6 am. I like to walk into my studio and wake myself up with it all.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I was born with a tail and didn’t know about it until I was 20 years old and it grew very slowly. I had to get it surgically removed. I was reading the Dragon Ball Z manga at the time. It was all very coincidental.

Also, my first language was Spanish.

Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

I’ve never quite figured this out. An exintrovert?

What’s the strangest first date you’ve ever been on?

We broke into the Observatory late at night while it was raining and then sat on a hill drinking cans of Tecate he had in his jacket until sunrise.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would it be and why?

Whoever wrote the first edition of the Bible. I have so many questions about their intentions.

Book(s) everyone should read:

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July
The Story of Civilization by Will Durant

I wrote about my experience with Lyme disease for On Our Moon. I’ve never had such a hard time writing something in my entire life. It feels like a lifetime ago now but I really hope it enlightens and inspires. <3

READ HERE

I’ve been meaning to publish a collection of short stories for a couple years now. I had written over ninety and decided that I will be publishing these in themes. This first book is sixteen stories about the Other Halves; those people who mirror parts of you and help form you into who you are now. These stories are from the age of six years old until up to around fifteen. From filling the Beverly Hills fountain up with dish soap to holding a stranger as she died in my arms. I hope that in reading it, you find reflection and a newfound appreciation for experiences in your own life. I hope I make you cry or maybe even laugh a little bit. Maybe you’ll forgive yourself for something. Maybe you’ll love yourself a little more. Maybe you’ll get to know me and roll your eyes. I’ll take any of it. Thank you for reading. <3

you can purchase it here

dianaellenmantis:

These Days: 9.8.16

I’m just a walk home @alexkwisner

dianaellenmantis:

These Days: 8.8.16

“You’re an idiot Steve Harrington”

@alexkwisner

dianaellenmantis:

These Days: 17.7.16   T R E E H O U S E  NO.13

@alexkwisner

Treehouse last night✨