So, let's see what happens when Alex Amber visits Section 36 Music!
You recently released an outstanding single, “Three Weeks”. What can you tell me about it?
I wrote this song in a school practice room at midnight after returning from a day trip to my hometown. I initially recorded it for a project for my Music Technology class and considered maybe making it a B-side or a TikTok, but I didn’t think it would go anywhere. However, I had to present it for the final, and after the presentation multiple people were humming the melody for the rest of the 2-hour class. I also showed it to a producing club for feedback, and I noticed the same thing; people humming it for hours after. When I mentioned I might throw it on a record as a B-side, one of the club leaders asked, “if that’s what a B-side looks like, what on earth does a lead single look like?” At that moment, I realized I needed to make “Three Weeks” a real, released single. And now, here we are.
What do you enjoy most about performing on stage in front of an audience?
Onstage, I get to be unapologetically expressive to the audience. I can express my emotions and the emotions of a song with a strength that would normally be impossible in any other form of communication, and I get to witness people receive that in real time. I've fallen in love with how performing can touch other people. A few weeks ago, I was singing an original song in The Lockheart, a local restaurant in my town. When I got offstage, a stranger came up to me and told me, “you made me cry.” Although I have always loved performing, that moment truly made me understand how much of an impact music has.
You’re currently attending Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?
I grew up in Massachusetts and wanted to go far away from home, to Nashville or New York, so I didn’t consider Berklee for most of high school. However, I attended the Berklee Songwriting Summer Workshop in June 2023, which completely changed how I think about songwriting and music creation. I always knew I wanted to pursue music right after graduating high school. After that experience, I felt like Berklee was the most direct way for me to get into the music industry and expand my skillset.
Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influences are my friends. I'm friends with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and their creativity and work ethic push me to strive for excellence more than anyone else. In particular, two of my friends, Mehlani and Ashley Joy, are people I truly look up to. They helped me record “Three Weeks,” and working with them showed me their incredible attention to detail and, frankly, musical genius. Their original songs and creative ingenuity inspire me, and I apply elements of their songwriting and production techniques to my art.
What is the most challenging part of your music career?
Trying to find a balance between my personal life and my career. Many of my close friends know that I find it very hard to relax and take time to smell the roses when there’s music to record, content to film, schoolwork to complete, etc. Before I went to college, my younger cousin actually sat me down and said, “Alex, I know you’ll work hard this year, but you also need to remember to lock out. You need something to write your songs about.” Those words have really stuck with me; they’ve served as a reminder to include other things in my life besides music. It’s still something I’m working on getting better at, but it’s a goal of mine.
What are your immediate music goals?
To deliver more to my fans. I’d love to have more performance opportunities and release more music, because my priority is to give people art. I am so incredibly lucky that there are people who want to listen to my music and watch me sing, and I’d love to make sure they have the chance to do that.
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Work-life balance is certainly a challenge!
As always, I want to thank Alex for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.
I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing.
Thanks, Alex, and good luck reaching your goals!