by Phoebe D. Renje
The name killinginthekitchen may seem odd, but for Lex, it invokes a different story: an inside family joke that became their stage name. Lex devoted their time to music under the name Killinginthekitchen, fast becoming a local headliner across the Orlando area. With their latest single, Lex explores the internal struggle plagues many young adults: “What is my purpose?” They write about this internal conflict in their latest release, “Save My Place.”
“I wanted to write about how I’m feeling in the present moment,” Lex says of their latest single. Their debut album, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, released in June, covers heartbreak and young love. Lex began writing songs at fifteen when they questioned their place in the world. But Lex is no stranger to performance; they spent their high school years actively teaching dance routines and landing lead roles in musical productions. Lex devoted their free time to writing and producing music after graduating college.
“I started going to open mic nights and live shows. I was starting to get my name out there and [doing] what I wanted to do.”
“Save My Place” came to Lex while watching an episode of the Netflix drama Sweet Magnolias.
“I wrote about that feeling of [how] we’re all trying to get somewhere in life.” Like the show from which the song takes inspiration, “Save My Place” is a sweet, emotional track about the uncertainty of the future.
During the infamous pandemic, studio doors closed, leaving many artists to record their music solo. Lex was no different, recording their songs using a GarageBand app from their bedroom with the help of U.K. producer George Fitzgibbons.
When asked about their most significant musical inspiration, Lex proudly showcases their Taylor Swift vinyl collection; they’ve been an avid Swiftie since they were seven.
Lex references the Netflix documentary Miss Americana (2018), which details Swift’s extensive musical career and personal life. Lex’s musical style takes heavily from Swift’s lyrics. “I aspire to write lyrics like her [and be] very cryptic.”
Like how Miss Americana goes through different eras of Taylor Swift’s life, Lex’s music is an evolution of their progress as a songwriter. And much like Swift, they want others to relate to their music. Their message to future songwriters?
“Don’t give up, even if things don’t seem like they’re going somewhere. Just keep going, and eventually, you’ll get to where you’re meant to go.”
While not writing songs, Lex performs in theatrical productions across Central Florida. Lex’s original music can be found on YouTube and Spotify.
*Cover photo courtesy of Lex, taken by Liz Coley