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Alexa Ray Joel Talks New Music, Billy Joel and a Stephen Talkhouse Homecoming
Ahead of her August show at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, Alexa Ray Joel opens up about new music, serenading her father at Carnegie Hall, growing up in the Hamptons and her favorite East End spots.
Alexa Ray Joel is coming home to play, bringing her music and her band to The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett for a one-night-only August show at one of the Hamptons’ most iconic venues.
The storied roster of performers who have played The Stephen Talkhouse is legendary. Of course, Joel is no stranger to fame or the word “legendary.”
As the daughter of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, she has lived through the perks and pitfalls of the spotlight, evolving into a soulful musician, a talented, nuanced songwriter and a creative artist in her own right.
She’s just released “Only Just A Moment,” the third song from a five-song EP of original songs titled “Tales from A Winding Tower,” due out this fall, and her new music, along with what she says will be “an eclectic mix” of songs, will be featured in her show.
A Return to The Talkhouse
It’s not the first time she’s played The Stephen Talkhouse, but it’s been “a hot minute,” she says, since she’s done a live show. The venue offers a different kind of intimate space than the white-gloved Cafe Carlyle residencies she’s performed in New York City.
“Many moons ago I did a show there [at the Talkhouse].and it was a fond memory. It sold out, it was great,” says Joel. “A great sense of community in my hometown. Everyone wrapped their arms around me – it felt very homey.”
The sense of home runs deep for Joel, who is nostalgic and wistful about growing up on the East End.
“I get very attached to childhood homes,” says Joel. “My father had the most beautiful home on Further Lane (in East Hampton). And then Jerry Seinfeld bought it.” She laughs. “I’m annoyed at Jerry Seinfeld! I miss that house right on the beach. That’s always the dream, isn’t it — to be on the water. We’re pretty lucky over here at Tower Hill [where her mom lives in the Hamptons and Joel frequently decamps from the city]. The house is really old and so beautiful, I’m attached to it; I spent my childhood here.”
We spoke with Alexa Ray Joel about her music, her upcoming Talkhouse show, serenading her father at Carnegie Hall during the star-studded “The Music of Billy Joel” tribute while he looked on, and, of course, the East End and her favorite places in the Hamptons.
Your newly released song, “Only Just A Moment” is about a type of heartache. It’s intimate, raw. You run deep …
Alexa Ray: I am my father’s daughter. In order to really fully be an artist, and songwriter you do have to run deep and go there. You have to push yourself to go there; you can’t hold back at all. You have to challenge yourself.
On this album I thought, this is so cool I’ll do a car-charging, edgier rock song like “Riverside Way,” then I went back to my roots on “With Heavy Eyes” — a ’60s torch ballad, more of what people might expect from me, my home base.
Classical Roots and Music in Her Blood
With “Only Just A Moment,” that’s a very reflective, bittersweet, melodic, more somber ballad. I thought of my dad’s song, “And So It Goes” — hymnal sounding, very classically influenced — going back to my classical roots. It’s structured very similarly to my father’s song. There’s a lot of rich dissonant chords making it more haunting and interesting. Hearing my father write and play, I think it crosses into this deeply melodic, musical theater, cinematic quality.
I also grew up with Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gershwin, hearing those theater classics, so it really influenced my sense of melody and songwriting. This song is a sort of nod to musical theater and those classic melodies that stand the test of time as well.
How did you tap into that raw emotion on “Only Just A Moment”?
Alexa Ray: I wanted to write about past situations with some guys where there wasn’t clarity and maybe I was building it up to be something that it wasn’t — where the line between friendships and lovers got blurry.
When I was younger I used to romanticize these sort of impossible type romances. I think I’ve gotten healthier about that and these unavailable situations with guys. (Laughs.)
That song was really healing for me — to write about past wounds. When I’m left with a palpable ache, it really helps me to write about it.
When you go to write, do you check in with your dad sometimes about music — do you care about his opinion?
Alexa Ray: I’ve had so many years of just hearing him play. I think we’re very similar musically in how we write. He has an idea and once he gets attached to the idea he wants to see it through. The passion has to be there.
I don’t force myself to write. If I’m not inspired, I don’t write. He’s very much a purist like that too. He doesn’t really write songs anymore, but when he did, he had to be really attached to the idea and he would come up with a melody line first and then the lyrics — and see it through.
Like Father, Like Daughter
He had a very purist approach and obviously was very classically influenced. I studied classical piano as well growing up. We had the same musical foundation. Just hearing his work and knowing the back stories to his music has really influenced me. He takes a very hands-off approach now that I’m a fully grown adult. It’s not like I’m a little girl going, “Daddy, show me how to play!”
I do everything on my own, I don’t ask him (about a song) actually, until after it’s finished and he’s not a pusher with me — in that he wants me to trust my own instincts. He’ll tell me, “Your songs are your babies and you have to protect them, they’re like your children. You have to nurture them until you’re happy with them. You have to get the production right and do it your way.”
He was very much about me doing things my own way. In fact, he was so into “Riverside Way” — my dad loved it. He was like, “Where did that come from? It doesn’t sound like anything you would normally write.”
It doesn’t sound like anything my father would write. So I think he likes that it came from a completely different place.
The Real Billy Joel, According to His Daughter
He’s very non-egotistical about wanting to see my creative process bloom and prosper on its own. He’s just very supportive. It’s really great.
How is he doing?
Alexa Ray: He’s doing alright. It’s not the easiest thing to have a brain disorder. It’s a challenge. Figuratively and literally, he’s a rock star. Resilience is in his blood — it’s his middle name at this point.
The Carnegie Hall Tribute to “The Music of Billy Joel”
The concert at Carnegie Hall in March — of course it’s your father and you’ve known him your whole life, but what did that feel like in that moment, serenading your dad during that musical tribute?
Alexa Ray: It was really amazing. Dad — I got him there. He didn’t really know about it at first, he was like, “What’s going on?” I said, “Dad, they’re honoring you at Carnegie Hall, and you’ve got to come.”
Carnegie Hall was really something. He doesn’t like surprises and said, “What song are you going to do?” When I told him I’m actually doing “This Night” because it’s something different, he said, “Oh, I love that. I’m so tired of hearing my hits.” [Laughs.]
The Legacy of Billy Joel
There are so many underrated gems of his that people should really tap into — of course we all love the hits — and “This Night” was like a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons kind of moment. It lends itself well to my voice. And it goes to show you his songs are not only one gender, or one time, they are really universal and stand the test of time.
To see generations later so many artists enthusiastically playing his stuff … I think the show went over a half hour because there was so much enthusiasm and so much music and just continuing his legacy.
A Full Circle Carnegie Hall Moment
Carnegie Hall comes full circle. He had a big show there in the ’70s that was sold out and, of course, it was a big deal, playing Carnegie Hall as a New Yorker, so iconic. For me to be able to sing there, it was really a night to remember.
My dad got very emotional actually a few weeks after the concert. He sent me a really beautiful letter thanking me and telling me how much it meant to him. Of course I was crying.
He’s introverted like I am, so in the moment, around all the people, he’s taking it all in. He’s really quite introverted actually, believe it or not. He has his delayed reaction to things. He was really excited.
Alexa Ray’s Homecoming Show in the Hamptons
Why the Talkhouse gig in August?
Alexa Ray: You can really rock out there, it’s a rocking bar venue. I’ve got a great band, I’m rolling out these new songs, and I want to do a cool, local venue — and of course it’s too hot in the city to play in August.
I love honoring and being part of this local community. There are good people in the Hamptons — good people — especially Sag Harbor, which is really the heart of my home.
Of course East Hampton and Amagansett are all part of the community. I wanted to come full circle and perform there again.
What can the audience expect at your Talkhouse show?
Alexa Ray: I get very bored very easily — I’m like my father in that way. I think it will be a fun, eclectic set. I’m excited to share the music I’ve been releasing, “Riverside Way,” “With Heavy Eyes,” and “Only Just A Moment.” Maybe some torch songs, “Song of Yesterday” from my old EP. I used to do a cover of “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, I might do that.
Of course I’ll do something of Dad’s. It won’t be “New York State of Mind” — I think I’ve done that enough. [Laughs.]
I’m working on the show right now. I want to do a great, great show.
It’s work, putting a show together, isn’t it?
Oh, yes. Sometimes people think, “Oh, she’s got this supportive dad who probably handles everything and has a team.” I handle all my own creative stuff — you could say I’m OCD with the music — I go heavy, deep into every aspect of it.
It’s going to be a fun ride going back in for this show. I hope everyone comes out and enjoys it — you know, Long Island girl here, born and raised representing my hometown.
One thing I can promise — people won’t be bored.
Alexa Ray Joel will perform at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. For tickets, visit The Stephen Talkhouse website.
For more information about Alexa Ray Joel, visit her Instagram @alexarayjoel her website is: alexarayjoel.com
Alexa Ray Joel’s Favorite Hamptons Spots
Provisions, Sag Harbor
“I’m always going down to Provisions natural foods market. Mom and I love to do our big grocery stock-ups there and they help us carry the grocery bags.”
Salon Xavier, Sag Harbor
“I’m a nail girl. I love a spa mani-pedi, I’m always going to Salon Xavier in Sag Harbor. They take such good care of you.”
The American Hotel, Sag Harbor
“Of course The American Hotel is like an institution from when I was a little girl. Their Dover sole meunière is to die for and the service there is always so consistent and great.”
Sag Harbor Tavern
“Sag Harbor Tavern (formerly Dockside) has the best fried fish and chips. I get it with malt vinegar because I’m old school. So good.”
Tutto il Giorno and Dopo La Spiaggia, Sag Harbor
“We like going over to Tutto il Giorno and Dopo La Spiaggia. ”
The 1770 House, East Hampton
“I love how they take amazing care of you at 1770 House and they have an outdoor garden — so beautiful.”
Nick & Toni’s, East Hampton
“Of course Nick & Toni’s restaurant is the best — we used to go every Sunday night when I was a kid with my parents for pizza night. Great fried zucchini chips. And get the Romaine Caesar salad — it’s the best that I’ve ever had — so crunchy and delicious.”
