Interview: Alexander White Explores Simplicity and Stillness in “Sweet Apples”
After charming listeners with his debut single, "Cowboy," Australian songwriter-producer Alexander White returns with a quieter kind of magic in “Sweet Apples.” A heartfelt ballad infused with folk and classical tones, the song reflects a deeper shift in White’s artistry toward the kind of pastoral storytelling born from life on a family cattle farm. Featuring the emotive vocals of Nashville artist Arabella, “Sweet Apples” is a gentle meditation on stillness, place, and the unexpected peace found among fruit trees and open fields.
White talked to us about the creative shift that came with trading city lights for rural rhythms, the story behind his latest single, and the joys of working with a community of skilled collaborators who help bring his vision to life. The singer blurs the line between music and lifestyle, building a world where authenticity is at the center of everything he creates.
“Sweet Apples” feels like such a heartfelt departure from city life. What moment or feeling first inspired the song?
When I arrived at the farm, everything was new to me. I didn’t really have any farm experience, so I had to learn from the ground up. There is an orchard behind the main house, and it’s full of fruit trees. And I felt very at home there, spending hours and days on end learning how to look after the trees. The song was first inspired by the orchard. I felt so far away from the city and all the noise; there was so much peace in the orchard.
The lyrics depict mountains dripping with sweet wine and a harvest before I had even seeded. I was reaping where I had not sown.
Arabella’s vocals elevate the emotional depth of the track. How did that collaboration come about, and what made her the right voice for this story?
Arabella’s story was quite similar to mine growing up; in future songs, she shares her story in more depth. She is a hard worker and likes my project, so we have done a lot of songs together, even enough for an album. Her vocal itself, I thought, was fitting for the song; she has a lot of dynamic range, so I thought it would work on this ballad-esque song.
The instrumentation, especially the nylon-string guitar and pedal steel, gives the song a very timeless, earthy feel. What guided those arrangement choices?
I actually listen to a lot of Spanish music and classical guitar. The song is soft, so I chose the nylon string to encapsulate a ballad-type song. The acoustic guitar may have been a bit too harsh for the softness of her voice.
Your previous single, “Cowboy,” had a more playful energy. What made you want to follow it up with something as tender and introspective as “Sweet Apples”?
I have an EP coming out in September that has more energy, but the song Sweet Apples was just there, finished and ready to go, so I released it.
There’s a strong visual and emotional sense of place in this song. How much does your life on the farm inform your songwriting now?
Basic things on the farm inspire me to write songs, like my dad and brother slashing the grass and maintaining the land. There are simple things that need to be done, a lot of jobs that make it worthwhile in the long run. Stewarding the land is something I’m currently writing about.
You’ve gone from disco-infused electronic sets as Falqo to producing folk-rooted ballads in the countryside. What’s been the most fulfilling part of that transition?
AW is a big collaboration. I get to work with so many talented artists, from a classical guitarist to a fiddler. I never really had those opportunities under Falqo, maybe a bit of guitar here and there, and some singers. I played the majority of the music for Falqo, but with AW, I haven’t played on anything except the original demo with a keyboard and fake guitar sound. I love seeing my demo come to life while working with all these great players.
Aside from music, you’re growing food, helping families build gardens, and even planning live shows on your farm. How do these passions intersect creatively?
It's actually very hard to step in and out of the horticulture side and back into music; gardening doesn’t really come naturally, I’ve had to study and learn it, so I’m either in one mind frame or the other. My dad is doing the majority of the infrastructure for the events; I’m just focusing on finishing music.
With “Sweet Apples” now out, how would you describe the musical world you’re building, and what can listeners expect next?
An EP with Arabella in September, planning something big for December. Ballads, pop songs. Some that might make you want to line dance. A variety of styles, all in the vein of country music.
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