We were lucky to catch up with Aleksandra Marshaniia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aleksandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first time I ‘earned’ money as a creative wasn’t actually money—it was a case of beer! I was in my early 20s, performing with a band at a local rock festival. They arranged this super cool rock bus to get us to the venue, and instead of cash, our payment was beer. We literally got showered with it, and for a young adult chasing the dream, it felt like such an adventure.

The actual payment came about a month later when we threw a birthday party for our band at a local rock club. That night, we finally made some money, but honestly, the beer and the experience from the festival were just as unforgettable!

Aleksandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a Georgian-American rock artist based in California, blending alternative rock with Georgian folk influences. My music tackles social issues like domestic violence, sexual assault, and gender discrimination. As a survivor, I aim to give a voice to these topics and create a safe space for others to share their stories. Inspired by Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, and System of a Down, I combine raw emotion with powerful sounds to make an impact.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had focused on my rock artist career earlier instead of creating a TikTok blogger account and chasing my plan B while the app was on the rise. If I had faced my fears back then, I could have started this journey sooner. Still, I’m proud of where I am now and firmly believe it’s never too late to start. I’ve finally decided to go all in, with no turning back.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Connecting with a crowd during a show is the ultimate reward as an artist. It’s hard to explain, but there’s a moment when you feel completely in sync with everyone—like you’re all part of one larger nervous system. They feel what you feel, and you feel what they do. It’s an electric, intimate experience that runs through your entire body.

That magic doesn’t happen during the gigs I play almost every week—don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love performing at events and weddings. But it’s during concerts, performing my originals, that this connection happens. It takes you to a completely different emotional and physical level, and it’s truly priceless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexsandramusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexsandra_music/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexSandraMusic

Image Credits

Rachel Lynch
IG https://www.instagram.com/blackrabbit.rachel/