I usually go for a heavier sound when it comes to music, but lately I have been leaning towards folk. Something about it is magical. It is soft without putting you to sleep, yet it can transport you into a total world of inner peace. I recently came across this amazing artist from the great city of Manchester, U.K. As usual, around midnight, around my fourth cup of coffee- when I had given up all hope in finding a good new folk song. I stumbled upon Alx Green’s song “Something better” a track from the My Way Home EP. The lyrics that stuck out to my caffeinated soul in the very late hours of the night were: “Pack your things don’t worry to remember all your stuff, cus in this life you’ll find these things will only fade and rust.” Those lyrics hit so close to home for me, it is truly my life motto. Stuff is just stuff, happiness and love is where it’s at people! Music has a good way of reminding us how to free ourselves from the materialistic world we live in. After talking to Alx about his music, I realized how humble and passionate he is. It is quite nice to come across artist that cherish and treat their music with love and respect. Artist that aren’t afraid to make simple music and incorporate string instruments such as the cello are hard to find. Alx’s music has all this and a whole lot of soul. As always don’t take my word for it check out for yourself!
MWN: Hello Alx thank so much for sitting with us today. We are so excited to talk about your music and all the exciting things happening in your career. So first thing first- how did you get started in music?
ALX: Thank you so much for having. Really excited to talk to you guys as also. Well I started playing guitar when I was really young. My dad was a musician. It was like a monkey see monkey do type of thing and that’s how it sort of happened.
MWN: Haha well it was a good thing you stuck with it. So, you mentioned that you played guitar are there any guitar players in particular that inspired you’re playing?
ALX: Well it’s a funny one I listened to a lot of different genres of music. When I was younger I listened to a lot of heavier music. I went through my green day face. My solo playing I have always been more inspired by people like Jeff Buckley. I really admire songwriters that can convey emotion with their voices and their guitar. There are also lots of artist that I am influenced by that are current today- like John Mayor.
MWN: You know those are great artist to have as inspirations and I can hear it in your music. Which leads me to my next questions- why did you want to play folk music?
ALX: When I’m writing music I don’t choose what I write really. It’s funny it’s a really kind of organic thing that comes out. It just happened to be this genre, I think just naturally there is a lot of emotion invested in it, because it is just me on my own, and this was the most natural way to put it out there.
MWN: So as far as the writing process goes, what comes first lyrics or melody?
ALX: It can be different, but I say generally I start with music first. I sit and play guitar for however long, it can be seconds or it can be hours and then something cool happens and I will tie a melody to it. Then, before you know it I’m singing whatever comes out of my mouth and I’m writing it down at the same time. It is really strange, I never plan to write it like this. Just happens- I would say. You see I have so many voice memos on my phone, with chorus, melodies, and lyrics so I am always coming up with little things.
MWN: Speaking of songs, from the record Oceans one of my personal favorites is the song Hard to Fly can you tell me a little bit more about it?
ALX: It is really nice you choose that song. That is actually one of my favorite ones of that record. It’s funny because when I wrote it I had gone through a bit of a rough patch. The song is about it being okay to be down about things, but you can always pull through them. The opening lyrics: “come down here wait a little while” it’s almost like that little voice in the back of your head. You know like think about all these negative things and how bad it’s been- really all it is, a voice you can ignore. And for me definitely that song was written just after a period of being down about stuff and you know I did get through it. It is not always easy that’s why it is called hard to fly, but the lyrics to that song came out like poetry.
MWN: You can tell, it is like you are reading a poem in a book- that is why I really liked it. To me it sounds very personal. You know I go through countless hours of listening to song after song. The songs that catch my attention are the ones that feel personal. I feel like when a song is personal to the artist it becomes personal to the audience, because you can really relate.
ALX: I mean definitely who hasn’t had a bad day right? You know it can be the smallest thing, but when I’m writing lyrics I want people to relate to them. If it gets people connecting to the music that is all that matters.
MWN: So with that in mind what is your favorite song to perform live?
ALX: Downhill from here that song is the most fun. It mixes up my set a little bit- I would say.
MWN: Now, one of my favorite songs by you: Something Better- “I am made for something. I can feel it in my bones. So I will wait for something real.” Those lyrics hit close to home for me I grew up in a small town and was able to escape through music. Did music help you escape anything? What did you have in mind when you wrote the song?
ALX: It’s interesting that you said that. So many people have called me out on this song. All asking me what it is about, because it can be interpreted in so many different ways. It’s funny because I actually mean it in a positive way. Before I went out to Europe on tour for three and half months I quit my jobs as a photographer. It was in the fashion industry and really stressful. I ended up getting ill and I was in the hospital. At the end of the tour I was a lot happier and healthier on my way home (where the tittle of the EP comes from) it’s a lyric in something better. I wrote the song about three in the morning in like a truck stop in Germany- somewhere, and I was on the way back thinking to myself I didn’t have to go back to that life I had left. I am made to be happy. We are all made to be happy, so when I said I’ll wait for something real. I mean I’m going to wait out this music thing and give it a go. This is me now waiting it out. In something I believe in. In something real I guess.
MWN: It is worth it to wait it out. I believe if you do something with love and passion it will work out. Now, what would you say is the most memorable thing you can remember from your 2015 European tour?
ALX: I was in Amsterdam and then the Netherlands and I got an email from the BBC in the U.K they listened to my songs and they asked me if I wanted to come in and do a live session and interview live on the radio. I was like I am in Amsterdam right now, and they were like oh do not worry about it, because I didn’t want to not do it. I booked a fairy and traveled there on that day. I was like I am coming!
MWN: So, how does it feel to listen to your songs on the radio?
ALX: BBC radio sent a notification on twitter saying my song was being played it was such a surreal moment. I am very happy about it.
MWN: I bet it was. Those are the moments that we have to hold on to and keep climbing up from there. Well Alx thank you so much for talking with us. You are a true genuine artist, and I really hope you go very far with your music because it is raw and true to who you are. Once again thank you.
ALX: Thank you!
Check out Alx Green on social media by clicking the links below:
Contact: alxgreen@hotmail.co.uk
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