Alex Cameron

“I started writing poems and singing them over instrumental songs I’d made, and I realized that the melody was coming to me as I read them, and I was like, ‘Oh, there’s music in the words!,” says Alex Cameron, recalling how he first discovered his preferred method of songwriting. “The lyric had the melody in it. I didn’t have to come up with the melody and think about which words would fit, I just had to press record and sing the words while listening to the music and the melody’s in there. That’s why I love writing words first.” In episode 144 of the LSQ podcast, the Australian singer-songwriter discusses his impressive fifth studio album, Late To Set, an elevated showcase for his signature style of brooding, witty, character-driven songcraft. Cameron shares insights into his creative philosophies and the evolution of his approach to music. He also reflects on the artists he loved as a kid: **Buddy Holly**, **Nina Simone**, **Dire** **Straits**, **Outkast**, **Aphex** **Twin**, **Lou** **Reed**, **Joni** **Mitchell**, **the Strokes** and more. Alex is on tour in North America in September, and opening for The Strokes in Europe in October. Get tickets here.