The Re-Introduction of DJ Alex Chapman

Making a name for himself as a DJ by commanding dance floors at large scale events and becoming a nightlife staple, Alex Chapman is now introducing himself as a dance-pop artist.

In May, the rising singer-songwriter released his new single “Horsey” featuring Kim Petras, which is a club banger and tongue-in-cheek anthem that’s as much of a response to smash hits such as Duck Sauce’s “Barbara Streisand” as it is a love letter to queerness. According to a press statement, Chapman says the track tells audiences what he’s all about—“dance music, having fun, and high-quality stupidity.”

Chapman has been on the frontlines of pop music experimentation ever since enrolling in a music conservatory and offsetting classical guitar lessons with pop music analysis. He realized his ability to upend the pop structure after remixing tracks for artists such as Zolita and Gia Woods and found his identity as the ultimate escape artist by allowing listeners to experience the freedom of losing themselves in fun.

OFM caught up with Chapman to talk more about his music, dedicating it to centering queer people, creating more space for individuality, and more. 

You have been making headlines with your recent single “Horsey,” featuring Kim Petras. Can you begin by telling us how this track came to fruition?

I’ve been wanting to make an artist project for a while and I’ve been toying around with some ideas, but I really wanted to debut something fun and stupid in a good way. I worked with some friends on the concept, and it just became this song that we thought was kind of special. Kim is one of my best friends and she believes in me a lot, which means a lot because I think she’s just so talented. She was down to get on the track and that’s kind of how it came to be. It was very organic.

How is this song an introduction to you as an artist?

I have been working a bit more as a DJ and a songwriter for the past few years and I’ve tried to go down the artist path in the past, but it wasn’t really the right time. I think especially during quarantine, I really wanted to work on something that I could take ownership of and feel like was true to who I am. I ended up kind of putting together all my favorite things about dance music and making this project that I felt was good enough where I could re-introduce myself as an artist to the world.

Before making your name as a DJ and a songwriter, you initially entered the industry as a show promoter and music journalist. Have you always had a passion and love for music and entertainment?

Definitely. I have always loved music. It’s always been the thing closest to me. I wouldn’t say I have a ton of hobbies beyond music. That’s just the thing I love the most. I spent a lot of time trying different ways to be involved in the music industry, and I liked a lot of different things I did. I worked in music journalism, I produced events, I worked at a booking agency, but ultimately, when I was looking for that thing that truly felt like my passion, it became making music. 

So, it took a minute to get there, but I’m glad it did because I think a lot of the other things I’ve done have informed my current experience. I’m not a spring chicken anymore, so I’m harder to trick (laughs).

Are you currently working on any new singles?

We’ve been working on a bunch of new music that’s going to start rolling out over the next couple of months, and I’m going to keep introducing people to the kind of artist I am and the kind of music I can make. I love “Horsey,” and like I said, it’s a great introduction, but there’s so much more to what I’m doing and what I’m doing with my collaborators, and I can’t wait for people to see it. Lots of new music, official remixes, DJ sets, and just trying to stay as busy as humanly possible so I don’t have to think about real life or deal with myself. 

Can we expect an EP or full-length album anytime soon?

I hope so. I think we live in a single world right now, especially if you’re a new artist. You just want to put out songs, let people get to know you, see which ones catch on, and then build a bigger body of work around that. No matter how it’s delivered, there will consistently be a lot more music coming.

Ultimately, what do you hope audiences take away from your music?

As of right now, I hope my music inspires people to have fun and let loose. I hope it inspires other queer people who love dance music as much as I do to know that we’re out there making this music, dancing to this music, and loving this music. 

I always hope that people can rally around the music I make because I love DJing for crowds. My whole aim with my artist project is to make it something that I can DJ, and then be excited to DJ for people. More than anything, I want to inspire a party and a good time. 

You have spun for the likes of Cardi B, Charli XCX, Lizzo, and The Weekend. Is there an artist you would love to collaborate with at some point?

So many, but one of the main ones is Calvin Harris. I love him. He’s taking dance music to such new heights with insane popability, and that’s kind of what I’d like to do with my music. I love pop music and dance music, and I love when they fuse together. He was one of the first people to really make that impact and create a space for pop and dance to combine in this collaborative way. He is definitely one of my inspirations. 

It sounds like you have your sights on being the gay Calvin Harris.

That’s what the press release says (laughs). If we have to dilute it down, I would love to be able to exist in the dance space as the person that I am. I love dance music, I love pop music, I love being gay, and I love being in the community that I’m in. I want all those things to be a part of who I am and not things I need to work against or around.

In June, you DJed at several Pride festivals. Was this your first time performing on the Pride circuit?

In such an official capacity, yes. I’ve done plenty of events and things that were centered around Pride, but playing at Miami Pride and LA Pride, this was my first time. 

You also performed at Poppy’s Nightclub in West Hollywood on May 31 for Invisible Narrative’s Pride Eve celebration. What was the experience like?

It was great! It was a great way to ring in Pride, it was for a great cause, and they had a lot of great people there. It was cool to ring in Pride in this celebratory way and know that it was benefiting a lot of great organizations. 

How much does your life experiences as part of the LGBTQ community influence your music?

I think my experience of being someone in the LGBTQ community influences everything I do naturally. It’s just a part of who I am, and it’s something that I lean into because being yourself is the only way to stand out, especially in industries that are super overwhelmed with talent, artists, and content. It is part of what makes me who I am, so it influences everything I do. 

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

Personally, I hope to be on every festival stage I can get to. I want to play for as big of crowds as I can and become as big of a force as I can in dance music, and music in general. My goals are to take this as far as I can, or as high as I can. 

As for my platform, I hope I can use that to help underserved communities, underserved communities of queer people, queer people of color, people that have been marginalized and are unfairly disadvantaged. I want to help people that need it. Hopefully, if I win, we all win. That’s what I like to keep in my mind. 

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?

Just keep up with me for upcoming dates and releases! 

Stay up-to-date and connect with Chapman by following him on Instagram @alexchapman and TikTok @alexchapmannn. 

Photo’s courtesy of Nick Little