Alexander Vincent’s musical path started in his hometown Toronto and lead him to L.A. with the wish on becoming an electronic music producer. Despite dwelling upon producing in the pop world for some time, with this debut album he is returning back home – to his electronic roots. We spoke to him about the fulfillment of working on your own music, missing home and the things he is most grateful for.
Your debut single „I Won´t“ harkens back your hometown Toronto to move to L.A. to become an electronic music producer. Would it have been impossible to make that sort of career in Toronto? And did L.A. live up to all your expectations or was it harder than you expected to establish yourself?
It absolutely would have been possible to make my career happen in Toronto. Toronto has an amazing scene and infrastructure for artists. Although, for me, it didn’t happen that way. Every step of my process was necessary to get me to where I am now. I was very lucky to find a great group of friends and talented music makers as soon as I moved to LA and we all came together to do great work. I also found success early on with the band Magic! that I played drums in and co-produced for. That was a springboard to meeting other artists to produce for and eventually to do my own music. All my experiences brought me great relationships and fueled what I am doing today.
“I do feel at home in LA, but it will never feel like Toronto. My roots go so deep there. I love that city and miss everything about it.”
Do you feel like home there and is there anything that you miss about Toronto?
I do feel at home in LA, but it will never feel like Toronto. My roots go so deep there. I love that city and miss everything about it. My family and friends. The culture. The acceptance to all lifestyles. And of course the food.
Did you feel more pressure when it comes to work on your own track rather than producing for someone else?
I feel less pressure working on my own music. I have no filter and can totally be myself. When you are producing for someone else, you are servicing their needs. It is still a collaboration but you want to do what’s best for their project. I am the most fulfilled when I work on my own music. It’s so invigorating and there is no compromise.
How did you actually make it happen to record a new joint with JLO and how was working with her?
I have a great friendship with some amazing producers and songwriters in Miami. I went to write a song with my friend Luis Figueroa who is signed to Mark Anthony. We wrote this idea and then I left Miami and didn’t hear anything for a while. Eventually I heard that Mark Anthony heard it and loved it. He passed it along to JLO and she recorded her vocal on it. Unfortunately, due to the terrible disaster in Puerto Rico, Mark and Jennifer’s attention when to taking care of that cause. Which of course is far more important. So who knows what will happen with that song.
“I make a conscious effort every day to put my phone down and not look at it for a while. I spend a lot of time working on music. Disconnected from social media.”
When you look back what are you most grateful for in your life, and what are you most excited about for your future?
I am most grateful for my amazing family. There are the most loving, supportive people and they’ve given me the strength and platform to fully immerse my life in music. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I am also so grateful to be able to make music my life. I get to do the thing I love most as my job. I’m so lucky. I can’t wait for everything that my project is going to bring. I want to share my music with everyone and keep building and growing. It’s all a labour of love. Working on this project has been the most fulfilling thing in my life.
How much time do you spend on social media? And if you wouldn´t at all, what would you rather invest your time with instead?
I spend a fair amount of my time on social media. Posting for my project and seeing what’s up with my friends. But I make a conscious effort every day to put my phone down and not look at it for a while. I spend a lot of time working on music. Disconnected from social media. In the studio. I also just love to be in the moment with the people around me. I had a great day yesterday having a philosophical conversation with my two friends. We had coffee, put our phones away and just talked. That is where I get my inspiration. Sharing thoughts and ideas.
Last time you laughed heartily?
At the bar the other night. Quite drunk with my friends. Talking about absolute nonsense. I was dying laughing.
