SPOTLIGHT: ALEX KOLO

Meet Alex Kolo and tune into her new single “Fall So Fast”

"Fall So Fast" captures such a fleeting but powerful emotional experience. Was there a specific moment or memory that sparked the first line or melody? 

Yes, the melody for the chorus actually came to me while I was on the subway—just hours after meeting a guy at my language school. We had this instant connection, flirted a little, and I left feeling excited and kind of swept up in the moment. But then the very next day, I saw him with another girl, and it stung more than I expected. That mix of hope and disappointment hit hard and stayed with me long enough for the first line and melody of “Fall So Fast” to just spill out in my head. It really was one of those moments where the emotion found its way into the music before I even had a chance to process it fully. 

You’ve mentioned this song was born from heartbreak that never had time to unfold. How did you process those emotions while writing? 

Writing “Fall So Fast” was my way of giving those emotions somewhere to go. It was such a brief encounter, but the intensity caught me off guard—and because it ended before anything really began, I didn’t have the usual closure. While writing, I let myself sit in that bittersweet space between possibility and reality. I didn’t try to make sense of it or rationalize it—I just leaned into the feeling. The lyrics became a way to honor that fleeting connection and the vulnerability it brought up in me. In a way, finishing the song gave me the closure I never got in real life. 

How did the collaboration with Jeremy Lister come about, and what made him the right person to help bring this song to life? 

I was connected with Jeremy Lister through my mom’s friend’s professor, actually—it was kind of an unexpected chain of connections. But once we met, it just clicked. Jeremy has such a gift for capturing emotion in music, and because “Fall So Fast” came from such a personal and delicate place, I needed someone who could really understand that. He brought this emotional clarity and warmth to the song that helped it blossom into something even more beautiful than I imagined. It was one of those collaborations that just felt meant to be.

What was it like writing a duet about such a personal subject? Was it difficult to open up in a shared creative space? 

It was actually super easy to open up—writing in a shared creative space has always felt really natural for me, especially when I'm working with other songwriters. I feel seen and not judged in those moments, like there’s an unspoken understanding that we’re all there to be honest and vulnerable. Even though “Fall So Fast” is such a personal song, I never felt the need to hold back. If anything, sharing the writing process made the experience even more meaningful because someone else was helping me shape and honor those emotions with care and empathy.

“Fall So Fast” explores the idea of intense emotion after barely knowing someone. Why do you think those kinds of relationships can be so impactful? 

I think those kinds of relationships can be so impactful because there’s so much room for imagination. When you barely know someone but feel that instant spark, your mind fills in the gaps—you project hopes, possibilities, even versions of what could be. It’s not just about the person; it’s about what they represent in that moment. The connection feels pure and exciting because it hasn’t been complicated by reality yet. That space between what is and what could’ve been can be incredibly powerful—and sometimes, the emotions tied to that imagined version are just as intense as those in a long-term relationship. 

The harmonies in this track are stunning. What was the vocal recording process like between you and Jeremy? 

Thank you so much! The vocal recording process with Jeremy was really smooth and collaborative. We would take turns in the booth, each laying down our lead vocals, and then we’d start building the harmonies layer by layer. It was such a creative process—we’d try out different ideas and blend our voices in ways that felt the most emotionally resonant. Jeremy has such a great ear, so finding those perfect harmony moments felt really intuitive. By the end, it felt like our voices were truly woven together, which added so much depth to the song.

What message do you hope listeners take away after hearing “Fall So Fast”? 

I hope listeners take away the message that there’s nothing to be ashamed of when you start to feel something for someone more quickly than society might consider “appropriate.” Emotions don’t follow rules or timelines—and feeling deeply, even early on, doesn’t make you naïve or dramatic. It just makes you human. “Fall So Fast” is about honoring those moments when something—or someone—hits you unexpectedly hard, and letting yourself feel it fully without judgment. 

Were there any musical influences or artists you had in mind while producing this track? 

Actually, not at all! This track came from such a personal and specific emotional experience that I didn’t really have any particular musical influences in mind while creating it. I wasn’t trying to chase a certain sound or emulate another artist—I just wanted the music to reflect the way I was feeling in the most honest way possible. It all unfolded really naturally, which I think helped keep the song true to the moment it was born from. 

The instrumentation is lush but not overpowering—how did you strike that balance between emotion and restraint?

That balance really came down to my wonderful producer, Benny Meza. He knew exactly what my vision was for this duet and brought it to life so beautifully. From the beginning, I wanted the instrumentation to support the emotion without ever overshadowing it—and Benny just got that. He has such a great instinct for dynamics and space, and he built an arrangement that feels rich and cinematic, but still allows the vocals and the story to be the main focus. It was a true collaboration, and I’m so grateful for how he helped shape the sound of “Fall So Fast.” 

How has your songwriting approach evolved through projects like this one compared to earlier work? 

My approach has always been emotionally driven, but with “Fall So Fast,” I think I allowed myself to lean into that even more fully. I didn’t worry about whether the story was “too much” or if the feelings came across as too intense—I just let the song be honest. What’s evolved for me is the confidence to stay in that vulnerable space and trust that the emotion will guide the structure, melody, and lyrics. Collaborating on this project also showed me how beautifully that emotional honesty can translate when shared with others who respect and understand the heart of the song. 

What role does Nashville play in your music career, and how has the city shaped your sound? 

I couldn’t ask to be anywhere else than Nashville to develop my sound and grow as an artist. Being in the music city has given me access to such an inspiring and collaborative creative community—there’s something really special about the way music is woven into everyday life here. In my earlier songs, there was definitely a strong country influence, which naturally came through in sessions with some of my co-writers. But over time, being surrounded by so many different styles and voices has helped me explore and blend genres in a way that feels more true to who I am. Nashville has been the perfect backdrop for finding my artistic voice. 

Jeremy Lister brings a strong sense of melodic storytelling—how did that influence the final version of the song? 

Jeremy’s sense of melodic storytelling had a huge influence on the final version of the song. He has this incredible ability to take an emotion and translate it into something that feels effortless and resonant. When we started shaping “Fall So Fast” together, he instinctively knew how to elevate certain lines with harmony or phrasing that made the story hit even harder. His input brought out the emotional arc in such a natural way—he really helped the song breathe and unfold like a conversation. Working with him made the track more dynamic and layered, both musically and emotionally.

What lyric from “Fall So Fast” resonates most with you personally, and why? 

I know it sounds cliché, but the line “Why do I fall so fast?” resonates with me the most. It’s simple, but it captures the core of what I was feeling when I wrote the song—this mix of confusion, vulnerability, and self-reflection. It’s a question I’ve asked myself more than once, and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of being swept up in something before you even realize what’s happening. That line holds the weight of the whole experience for me—it’s raw, honest, and exactly what was on my heart at that moment. 

If “Fall So Fast” were the soundtrack to a scene in a movie, what would that scene look like? 

If “Fall So Fast” were the soundtrack to a scene in a movie, it would be one of those quiet, emotional moments where time feels like it slows down. Maybe it’s someone riding the subway alone, replaying a memory of a fleeting connection—a glance, a smile, a shared moment that meant more than it should’ve. There’s a sense of longing in the air as the city blurs past the window, and the character sits with that ache of what could’ve been. It’s not dramatic or loud—it’s intimate, reflective, and filled with unspoken emotion. Just like the song. 

Now that “Fall So Fast” is out in the world, what’s next creatively—will there be more collaborations or solo projects on the horizon? 

Now that “Fall So Fast” is out in the world, I’m really excited to shift my focus back to solo projects. I’ll be returning to Nashville next month, and I already have some new songs I’ve been writing that I can’t wait to bring to life. This release has given me so much creative momentum, and I’m looking forward to continuing to explore my sound and share more personal stories through music. While I’m definitely open to more collaborations in the future, right now I’m feeling inspired to dig deeper into my solo work and see where it takes me.

Listen to “Fall So Fast” here.