Alex was born and raised in Berkeley, California. He Attended California’s UC Davis where he discovered his uncanny ear by playing music for friends in study groups. Alex would often play music during the study sessions, and his friends would always ask him, “what song is this?” leading them to always ask him to play his music. After being asked to DJ a homegirl’s birthday party, Alex learned to DJ on a pair of CDJ’s at a friends house. Alex then put on an unforgettable set during the birthday bash, thus instilling in him the drive to keep pushing his musical interests towards being Spoken Bird.
His DJ’ing became more frequent and eventually, he wanted to create his own music. He attended an Ill Gates Ableton Live workshop in 2008. After attending the workshop the dots started connecting for him musically. Riding that confidence in his new found love for music production, he decided to go on to enroll in some music classes, starting with music theory and music fundamentals. As Alex learned more about music theory and songwriting his musical prowess flourished, feeding his creative passions. His
Spoken Bird Interview
*This Interview Has Been Edited For Clarity*
RMR: Whats one thing that people need to know about Spokane that they don’t already?
SB: Great vibes. The venues, the people and really the community have some of the best vibes.
RMR: What venue in Spokane brings the best vibes to your set?
SB: “The Pin,” Alex remarks. “I really dig the layout.” I could hear Alex’s smile through the phone. “The venue totally utilizes its space well, creating a great environment, and having a space for the music and dancing, but also space for vendors, for chilling, etc. It’s just a well put together venue.” (We shared a chuckle.)
RMR: Do You think recreational cannabis has impacted the EDM scene in any way from your perspective? positively or negatively?
SB: “All around positively! Cannabis has found its way into the EDM scene and has been pushing the culture away from street drugs and alcohol and more towards cannabis. You’re starting to see more things like smoke buses, lounges, and tents popping up at events. There’s just way more interest in cannabis!” Alex goes on to tell about how more and more events are incorporating cannabis. “It’s also very cool to get to meet the people behind the cannabis companies; learn about the different types of cannabis products and events in cannabis. Just the fact that cannabis is being involved is dope, it really shows times are changing.”
“After
that I kept moving towards my own sound by trading and sharing techniques with friends.”
RMR: What cannabis strain or products puts you in the best creative mindset for creating music or performing?
SB: “I like
RMR: “Do you have a favorite Bodhi High sativa strain?”
SB: ”They have these really amazing vape cartridges with different sativa strains and added citrusy terps.”
RMR: Whats your favorite memory from the EDM community?
SB: “The very first time I was in Spokane comes to mind actually. I played a Halloween show with Elevated Mind, Ill-Esha, and Soulular. The show was poppin’, really great vibes all night.
RMR: How do you feel the cannabis industry has positively or negatively affected the America?
SB: “It’s just a positive bridge. Before you had to find a place to go smoke, let alone buy cannabis. I mean back in the day they would throw you out if you got caught smoking cannabis in venues just about anywhere you went. Nowadays they just redirect you to a cannabis-friendly space or actually just ask you to stop. Security doesn’t just throw you out anymore. The cannabis scenes coming along for everyone even those non-smokers too. In fact, I’d say two-thirds of all the places I’m booked currently are venues that are accepting of cannabis.”
“I borrow what inspires me musically”
RMR: How has electronic music made you evolve as a human being?
SB: “I’ve been seeing a need for OGs in the scene to share with newbies and up and comers. The community needs educators; people giving back by helping others to achieve, and learn. Mostly we should all be supporting the culture to grow together. I really see how just giving back can help the culture move forward. I’ve been incorporating this more and more in my own life by teaching lessons, offering workshops before shows I play, and supporting my producer friends as they find their own sound.”
Spoken Bird Teases Two New Projects
RMR: Is there anything else you want to add or tell your fans an followers about?
SB: “I’ve been working on some new projects, potentially an EP or two….”
RMR: “Nice, that’s a lot of work. Can you share anything for your followers and fans?”
SB: “No,” Alex chuckles again. “I can actually tell you it’s going to be a double release. I’d like to commission an artist to create covers for both, with the idea that each cover stands on its own, but when you put them together it makes one big piece. It’s going to have a little bit of something for every listener. One album will be my classic Spoken Bird melodic, chill and rhythmically laced up. It will be titled Bless The Morning. Where as the other album will be darker, heavier, grimy tracks. I’m going to call it Embrace The Night. The goal is to really build on my sound, pushing forward and using my inspirations to direct the new music.
