Local country music sweetheart Lexie Tytlandsvik, of the Radville area, recently won a competition that will garner her two studio recordings, touring and radio play. Yorkton's GX94 Country Radio concluded its 2013 Star Search on July 6, naming 'Lexie T.' as winner of the exciting opportunity.
Sixteen-year-old Lexie has been singing since she was a young girl, writing her own music since she was 11-years-old. She is no stranger to competitions, entering her first talent contest at the age of 10. She has won numerous contests throughout Canada and the U.S.
"What really got my eye with this contest was that I could have the two single releases," she explained, noting that recording a single is very expensive for her to do out-of-pocket.
Lexie has recorded three songs, the first two of which were released in 2011 ('That One') and 2012 ('What a Shame').
Another added perk of winning the GX94 Star Search, noted Lexie, is that "they tour you all year, so I get a lot of exposure that way."
Her first two singles receive regular radio play throughout Saskatchewan.
There is no set deadline by which she must finish writing and recording the songs, but her goal is to have them ready by November of this year. She added that they are currently choosing a studio time in Yorkton.
Lexie explained that she is working toward having enough songs for her first album, or at the very least to release an EP, or 'six-pack' of songs hopefully sometime next year. She noted that she prefers to write songs on her own, due to her independent creative process.
She and her mom have made plenty of visits to Nashville, Tennessee over the past two years, to gain exposure, make connections and to learn all that she can about the music industry.
For now, the rising star is going into grade 12 and is enjoying taking her time preparing for whatever direction her music takes her.
"I'm thinking of maybe doing the best of both worlds, going to school and doing music, so we'll see how that works out." She noted that she would study business, which would benefit her music career but would allow for a number of options for her future.
No matter what happens, Lexie T. has already made a mark on Saskatchewan's country music scene and an impression on the hearts of her listeners. Her original recordings, including the third unreleased song, 'Young Love,' can be heard at lexiet.com/Music.html.
