Scott Alexander plays with himself and sometimes invites strangers to join. Sometimes people mistake this friendlieness as a trap. But we all know, Scott Alexander Makes Mistakes.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLAY WITH SCOTT ALEXANDER- Email me, I'm always looking for guest performers to join me on stage or in the studio!
My Little Pony- Scott's First Music Video!
Influences
The Velvet Underground (Lou Reed and John Cale's solo work too), Jonathan Richman, David Byrne, Billy Bragg, Tom Waits, Nine Inch Nails, Violent Femmes, Carlo Gesuwaldo, Arnold Schoenberg, Big Star, Vladamir Visotsky, Theodor Adorno, Herman Hesse, Pavement, John Cage, Magnetic Feilds, most of my friends, a couple of girls I knew, my parents, that time at the conservatory, the whole ethnomusicology major. . .I had this "happy apple" musical toy when i was a babe.. .
HISAO SHINAGAWA!!! Oh my G-d if you 're ever in Los Angeles on a Sunday, find Hisao at the Hollywood farmer's market and tell him I sent you, then write me and let's talk about how amazing he is!
"By using straight forward, almost conversational lyrics, Alexander creates a casual style that ironically reaches far beyond the flashiest efforts artists employ to breathe new life into worn out chord progressions . . . If there is any justice in the world for us nerds, Scott Alexander will become an important figure in popular music." HotIndieNews
"Barely any lyric goes by without actually saying something significant or having some kind of multiple layers to it. What benefits Alexander the most is that
the message never gets too heavy handed or preachy. In most cases, the words end up being too witty to allow that to happen." Indie-music.com
"The deep, extremely deep subconscious of Scott unveils itself between guitar strings, lyric sheets and cookie dough." Dan Herman, Radio Crystal Blue/ NYCGigs.
"Scott Alexander doesn't really fit into any categories . . . And he really revels in his cheery awkwardness." Brett McCabe, Baltimore City Paper
"Scott is an amazing songwriter who does not shy away from the honest, the awkward or the odd. He puts his imperfection out there for all to see and for those who are brave enough to look, he puts on an important performance." Amy Chace, NYC talent buyer.
"They're vegan cookies, but so what? They're delicious!" Boog City.
Scott Alexander grew up in the tough streets of Mendota Heights, Minnesota and studied bassoon and lute at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. It was clear, however, that Scott could never submit to the classical aesthetics of consistency and technical flawlessness. Scott transferred to UCLA where he earned a degree in ethnomusicology studying musical function, aesthetics, and performance contexts in various societies. Motivated by the power and possibilities of musical culture, he was also frustrated by academic detachment from his own: the suburban and eclectic countercultures, which are often overlooked as culture altogether. Scott Alexander..s music recognizes the power and substance of American musical traditions by maintaining an intelligible pop-sensibility, while offering an alternative aesthetic that celebrates everyday wandering thought: embracing mistakes, imperfection, and instability.
Although Scott exhibits inspiration from artists such as Lou Reed, Jonathan Richman, Billy Bragg, and Tom Waits, the influence of his classical training can be witnessed in his music as well. Scott structures his songs to emphasize the emotions and thoughts behind them. His music lies somewhere between drama and song. Catchy for about 6 seconds at a time, his songs are void of verse-refrain repetition, opting instead for a constant melodic and rhythmic flux that emphasize a wide range of topics most are too self conscious to talk about with such intense sincerity. Alone with an electric guitar, Scott..s music is appropriately naked, bearing and embracing every nuance of an unstable moment.
Scott..s unique approach to songwriting and performance transcend into many other aspects of his artistry. His promotional efforts are approached as performance art, creatively executed to be as personal and sincere as possible. In addition to teaching music in inner city and suburban classrooms, he founded and directed the Choice Chamber Music Program, which was uniquely designed to remove music from a school context and catered to those with a more casual ambitions. Scott also authored Our Music, a column on Cdbabel.com that addresses cultural self-consciousness in response to a rapidly evolving industrial influence
Currently living in Brooklyn, Scott..s latest project, Scott Alexander Makes Friends, includes a new collection of songs as well as an interactive website and performance campaign which remains true to his music. Eagerly, diving into a dialogue so personal that one cannot fully enjoy it with considering themself a friend.
Wow! U really wanna be my friend?! I feel soooooo special! I was doing the ol' drop in on the cousin thing, and since you're practically a cuz... HELLOOOOOOOO!!! Tee hee! Hope the music biz is treatin' ya good!
Hey you have to do a show in September before I go back to Cali! Otherwise I will go through withdrawls and probably have the same line of you are not a market stuck in my head all year! I like that song by the way=) Not to mention I need more cookies!
I definitely would have come to eat cookies and listen to your music at the Knitting Factory on the 12th. But tragically I don't read my friend requests often enough. Just imagine my chagrin upon reading such an offer two weeks late. That's a lot of chagrin, Mr. Scott Alexander. A whole bunch.
Hello all fans and friends of Scott Alexander! Scott is being featured on this week's SoupyGato Show #128!!! There are several ways to listen to the SoupyGato Show – the easiest is to visit our website: www. soupygato. com – or subscribe to the show by visiting http://www. gcast. com/u/soupygato/main -- and it will download to your Itunes, Ipod, etc.
SoupyGato Show #128
Donna Adler~You Are Orginal The Goddamn Gallows~Gutterbillyblues The Mighty Diamonds~Have Mercy Nathaniel Street-West~Borrowed Time
Possum Jenkins~Greasy Spoon Scott Alexander~What Other People Think F.H.O.D.~Kings And Queens The Versus Project~The Issues That Surround Us And The Times That Empower Us
Jean Mazzei~Breathing Underwater Jared Young~Sense To Breathe
If you have enjoyed the show and would like to request more of your favorite independent music to be played, please vote/comment at: http://www. podcastalley. com/one_vote2. php?pod_id=21268 -- You can also hear the show by clicking on my profile -- and find out how to submit your own music as well!
It looks like we're sharing a gig at the Annex on the 13th! I'm playing with the Barnyard Brothers now. Really looking forward to it. I love your tunes and you have a wonderful energy on stage! And of course I have to tell you that your cookies are just divine!
oh my goodness, of course! found your sample cd @ sound fix in bk and had wanted to make it to your show! "unfortunately fat" cracks me up to no end :)
