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When his mother asked him, which instrument he wanted to play, 6-year-old Alex firmly answered: "Electric guitar !" Yet this was a rather radical choice in his parents' eyes... Violin and piano were more "appropriate" instruments. In 1994 Akela completed his music education, graduating on both instruments after eight years of music school study. But his love for six string beauties only got stronger as the time went by. So he picked one up at the age of sixteen and never let it down ever since. And when the first chords were played, the first songs were born. Yet it took this 'Flying Dutchman' a long way to step up into the spotlights all by himself and hit the road as a solo artist.
After having gained experience as a violinist in a symphony orchestra and as a multi-instrumentalist in various bands, Alex eventually found himself in 2005 wondering, which path was truly his. He felt a strong need to set for a new direction - the one that would let him develop himself musically in any way he wanted to. "My own songs were just lying around, gathering dust... a real shame, that's how I felt about it. I needed to let all those stories and ideas out, so starting a solo career was the most logical and natural choice. The bands I'd been playing in just split up, and it was a relief to be able to do my own thing without making any compromises."
Being influenced by different music genres, Akela steadily gravitated towards semi-acoustic approach of gigs. His interest in roots music grew over the years: "Stripped down songs with really good lyrics and fine melodies, rooted in blues, folk, Americana or even jazz - that was and still is my cup of tea. I strongly admire people who sing about what they stand for, what they are... And if they're equally good on their instruments as well as at singing and songwriting, then they really got me hooked."
There was another thing Alex found himself hooked on - performing live. Playing in bars, cafes, small theaters and open air festivals all over the country for attentive listeners, making contact with the audience, - it still gives him the greatest kick. "That chemistry between the listener and the artist is really one of the most inspiring things, it gives you wings ! As a musician, you are ready to face any challenge if your reward is this indescribably feeling of being appreciated."
However, Akela's reputation as an excellent sideman wasn't left unnoticed by colleagues. Numerous guest performances with fellow singer-songwriters proved his ability to provide a subtle yet very musical and inventive back up on different instruments: electric and acoustic guitars, violin, mandolin, banjo, fretted and fretless basses, Hammond organ and small percussion. Mathijs Leeuwis (NL), Hanneke de Jong (NL), Marijn Wijnands (MaRain) (NL), Vanessa Peters (USA), Lynne Hanson (CAN), Michael Weston King (UK), Terje Nordgarden (N) and MC Hansen (DK) are among the artists Alex has toured with. "I always consider it a great privilege to be able to play with fellow songwriters, especially if they come from afar for a Dutch tour. Their songs are what it's all about then, and I try to strengthen and support the message in their music and lyrics as good as I can."
This combination of accompaning other musicians and playing solo seems to be that unique path Alex has previously been looking for. "It keeps my mind fresh and gives me enough inspiration to keep on writing, recording and touring. As long as there are listeners out there, I will be singing and playing for them. That's for sure."
| Gigs |
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11 September - Theater De Kattendans, Bergeijk (Mathijs Leeuwis Band) 19 September - Festival De Oversteek, Lent (with Mathijs Leeuwis) 30 September - Radio Rijnmond (Live Uit Lloyd), Rotterdam (Mathijs Leeuwis Band) 7 October - Grand Cafe Marnix, Ede (with Mathijs Leeuwis) 15 October - Groene Engel, Oss (Mathijs Leeuwis Band) 21 October - CC De Bogaard, Sint-Truiden (B) (Mathijs Leeuwis Quartet, supporting Rory Block) 25 October - Cafe Take Five, Venlo (Mathijs Leeuwis Trio) 30 October - CC De Weijer, Boxmeer (with Saranne Schümers) 31 October - Herberg Tiengemeten, Tiengemeten (Mathijs Leeuwis Trio) 18 November - Patronaat Cafe, Haarlem (Mathijs Leeuwis Trio) 15 January 2011 - Muziekpodium Thalia, Baarlo (with Bob Martin) 29 January 2011 - Cafe L'is 't waar?, Oud-Heverlee (B) (with Bob Martin) 26 March 2011 - 't Keerpunt, Spijkerboor (Vanessa Peters Trio) 29 March 2011 - Cafe Trianon, Nijmegen (Vanessa Peters Trio) 1 April 2011 - Theater De Tobbe, Voorburg (Vanessa Peters Trio) 5 April 2011 - Cafe Den Heksenketel, Evergem/Belzele (B) (Vanessa Peters Trio) 10 June 2011 - house concert, Groesbeek (Mathijs Leeuwis Trio) |