As seen on TV
Alex & Sierra rose to stardom through music competition show
Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton are trying to save their voices by not talking too much on days off.
Over the years, the duo have learned that their voices are the most important instrument for their tours.
“We’re keeping it light today,” Deaton says in a recent phone interview. “We had a show last night, and it went really well.”
If you think you’ve heard of the duo, you probably have. During the third season of the American version of the reality show “The X Factor,” the duo captivated audiences week after week, eventually winning the season.
The duo became well-known for putting their own spin on the cover songs they sang on the musical competition show.
Those songs included stripped-down versions of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”
During the show, the couple were mentored by Simon Cowell. The duo became the first and only group to win the show.
Immediately after winning, Alex & Sierra released their debut album, “It’s About Us,” in 2014.
They then released an EP, “As Seen on TV,” in September 2016.
“We’ve been writing for the better part of a year and a half,” Kinsey says. “We’re doing some of the new songs on tour. This entire trek is helping us gauge the markets we need to get to.”
Kinsey says that when the duo write, it’s generally Deaton who writes all the lyrics.
“I’m pretty OK at playing guitar and beatboxing,” he says with a laugh. “We try to help each other out. Sometimes we go into the studio with an idea. The thing we enjoy is keeping the vibe relaxed.”
Deaton says that each song is personal.
“We don’t see anything as too personal,” she says. “It’s important for us to be as honest as we can be with our music.”
When the duo look for inspiration for music, Kinsey says he’s exhausted all of Jason Mraz’s songs.
“We usually just turn to something like Spotify and listen to some playlists,” he says. “It’s a great way to discover new artists and find that piece of inspiration.”
After nearly three years of touring after “The X Factor,” Kinsey and Deaton still find it amazing that fans are finding their music.
“Last night, we played ‘Animals’ for the first time live,” he says. “The crowd was singing all the words. It’s a humbling and overwhelming feeling. We feel really blessed.”