bounce right back

It is easy to believe your own hype. When you are first starting out in the record industry, it is necessary to create a buzz about your latest project. So when Alexis Strum was short-listed as a rising star in 2002, it was easy to take all of her accolades at face value. Originally promoted as an electronic pop artist, she was ready for her musical close-up. However, her album release was canceled due to lack of media support. We have all had the experience of profound disillusionment. Sometimes, you have to remove yourself from the source of your pain. Who could blame this young singer songwriter for leaving town to lick her wounds? So she traveled alone to Antigua to plot her next move. For two weeks, she sat in a hut with no electricity, covered in mosquito nets and trying to plan what she would do next. She emerged from the wilderness with a fresh batch of tracks that expressed her new-found maturity. Returning to London, she started the pop process all over again. She unveiled her introspective material to a wide-eyed press corps. This awakened the hoopla beast all over again. The critical response was very positive and AS prepared to be embraced by the record buying public. This was not to be. Her introspective single Bad Haircut failed to chart and her stunning Cocoon collection was put on permanent hiatus. But you have to give her extra points for moxie. After leaving her dreams of solo stardom behind, she is already on the comeback trail. Believe it or not, her new ensemble is an indie-rock sock puppet act named Bo Pepper. I guess you can’t keep a good girl down!