Warm and inviting, the video for “Christmas Morning” distinctly personifies the heartfelt lyrics of the song by bringing both Alex’s memories and imagined moments from the song to life. Teaming up with Canadian director Jason Lin and cinematographer Raymond Tuquero and filmed in her childhood home, the music video invites viewers along as the artist flips through family photo albums, sets out milk and cookies for Santa, and performs the cinematic ballad on the piano. With incredible attention to detail, the video opens with the glow and crackle of the fireplace and features a number of personal mementos, including actual VHS footage of Alex’s family from Christmases past.
With both a passion for and extensive experience in the film industry herself, the video came together with the generous support of the Hamilton film community who provided a number of pieces of vital production equipment that helped complete the project. Notably, the video was partially filmed at night, yet through the incredible expertise of the crew and combination of lighting styles, blackout curtains, and intentional reflecting of light, the video glows as if it was filmed in the early morning light. A beautiful and comforting visual indulgence in the feeling of warmth and gratitude that Christmas morning provides, Alex’s elegant and graceful video for the song flawlessly sparks her favourite memories in the imagination of the viewer.
Joining the incredibly small group of approximately 2.1% of female producers in the industry today, Alex wrote both music and lyrics for “Christmas Morning” as well as co-produced the track alongside Mark Lalama (Dizzy & Fay, Susan Aglukark). The song was mixed by Grammy Award winning engineer Harry Hess (Barenaked Ladies, Billy Talent).
About “Christmas Morning”:
A captivatingly warm, heartfelt Disney soundtrack-like Christmas song, Alex began writing “Christmas Morning” as she recalled all the things she was looking forward to doing with her family as they geared up to reunite for the holidays. Inspired by the moment Alex looked down at the sweater she was wearing while working at the piano, the talented singer-songwriter noticed she had on an old sweater from her younger brother – something he outgrew and passed along to her. Described by friends as a love letter to her family, Alex’s “Christmas Morning” is piano-ballad ode to the cherished memories and anticipation of future moments to be created with loved ones during the holiday season. The heartfelt, comforting song was written in late 2020 – a time when many families knew they wouldn’t be able to see one another that year, making Alex even more grateful to know she would be able to be with hers. With a focus that steers away from the materialistic, stressful aspects of Christmas, Alex reminds listeners about what she was reminded of during that time – the importance of being around those you love. With orchestral strings and a delicate piano melody, “Christmas Morning” is a song that sounds as cozy as the memories that inspired it. As the rest of the instruments slowly build around the warmth of Alex’s voice, the song comes to life with drums, violin, and cello, and the skilled songwriter’s expertise in scoring has listeners reminiscing about their own comforting memories as she recalls her own.
Teaming up with legendary Canadian artist Drew Jurecka (Dua Lipa, Alvvays) and his incredible Venuti String quartet, “Christmas Morning” listeners can almost hear the warm glow of the fireplace and Christmas lights, brought to life by the musicians on the song. With Davide Direnzo (Holly Cole, Alanis Morisette) on drums, and Rich Moore (The Tenors) on bass, “Christmas Morning” was recorded while Alex was a student at Humber College.
