How long have you been training your voice?
Alex: I started singing and writing little songs when I was about 5 years old. It wasn't until I got my first guitar at age 8 that I began to really get serious. I never took vocal lessons or anything.
Do you consider yourself to be one of the best singers of today's music artists?
Alex: People have told me this before and it is hard to believe! I guess it is a matter of opinion. Some people like soft voices, some people like powerful voices...I try to be a mix of the two.
How is this new chapter of your career?
Alex: Well now that I am finally free of the record label that was holding me back, this new chapter is going great! I have so much freedom to do whatever I want, it is very empowering. It is only the beginning though, I am working very hard to get my solo album out worldwide. I am signing with a major label now for international, and in America I will be releasing this and all my future albums on my own independent label.
How did the duets with Yasmin Gontijo, Gabriela Spanic and Emmy Rossum come to be?
Alex: These duets all came through friends in the music business. Emmy Rossum sings a track on my upcoming solo album and I have worked with her in past on songs for her album and live shows singing Opera together. She is the girlfriend of one of my very good friends in the music business. Gabriella Spanic came to me through another friend named Frederico Lapenda. He is a business man from Recife, Brazil who is a film producer, concert promoter and manager. He hooked Gabriella and I up so I could write and produce her new album...it's coming out great! And Yasmin was introduced to me by my Brazilian/American friend Michele who is also in the music promotion business, she did a tour with me through Brazil last year. I just worked today with Yasmin in the studio on our duet song. She is a very very talented artist and our song together is amazing. It will be coming out as a single on her new album, due out in Brazil later this year.
How is your friendship with guitarrist Aaron Camin? Do you get along well?
Alex: After 2005, Aaron and my friendship faded. I speak to him once in a while now, just to see how each other is doing and how our family's are. I'm sure one day we will be close again.
What is your best memory with The Calling?
Alex: I have so many great memories when I was "The Calling", I think one of my most favorites was when we won the best new artist MTV Europe award. We never thought we would win because we were up against artists like Shakira and Avril Lavigne....but my fans are awesome and they voted like crazy!
Do you plan on going back to Espirito Santo? Last time you were here, the concert was announced last minute.
Alex: Yes I'm sure I will come back to Espirito Santo! When I came to Brazil last December to play some acoustic shows, the person who booked them named Paulo at ForPlace Agency was a total idiot. He did everything at the last minute and he did it very very badly. I won't make this mistake again. And the worst part is that he never paid me! He just kept the money I worked hard for to himself!
How important is Brazil in your career nowadays?
Alex: Brazil is one of the most important countries to me. The fans here are so dedicated and loyal and I love the country and love to perform and travel here....so you won't be getting rid of me anytime soon!
Do you intend on singing any duets with Brazilian singers besides Yasmin Gontijo?
Alex: Oh yes, I'm sure I will. I have discussed some bigger Brazilian artist duet possibilities just recently.... we will see!
Did you ever think about doing something else other than being a musician?
Alex: I never thought I would do something else, I always knew it would be music. But I think if I couldn't do music I would have been either a doctor or a lawyer. I am very interested in medicine and in law.
What motivated you to never give up on your dream to be a rock star?
Alex: To be completely honest, I always knew I was good. And if you have self worth and confidence you will never quit.
What do you think will happen to the music industry in the future, now that most people download music for free on the internet?
Alex: I'm not sure, but I think music will become free to everybody. And in doing so, the artists or labels will have to make money through advertising, merchandise and touring. We are in a huge transitional phase right now.
What are your tips for up-and-coming singers? How should they plan their career?
Alex: It is insanely tough out there, harder than it's ever been...but that is to get big global success. But to achieve a great following and sell records without spending really any money is now possible due to the internet. It's so easy for any artist to record a bunch of songs, take some pictures, put it up on itunes, create a website, publicize, etc, all from the comfort of their own home computer. But the biggest issue for any singer is songs. There are thousands of great singers out there, but none of them have the songs that will carry them to where they want to go. My biggest tip for an up and coming artist would be: Find or write at least one amazing song. And not a song that only YOU think is amazing! Get 10 random people in a room and play it for them...if 8 out of 10 love it then you're on to something. It's all about the majority vote if you want to make a living doing this. Make sure they're not your family!
Interview courtesy of Epoca SP.