Alex Cole @Count’s Vampd

Interview with Alex Cole 

by: Leah Burlington

So please tell us about yourself for anyone out there that doesn’t know you…

I’m Alex Cole, signed by the Allied Artists Music Group. I’m the new upcoming artist to hit the music scene. I compose and perform original Retro Rock music. When you attend my shows you’ll get to see me on “fire”. I have a very high energy show. I never stop playing. I don’t talk in-between songs because it stops my energy and besides, my guitar does the talking for me. And sometime she talks a lot! I feed off the energy of the crowd’s enthusiasm and the crowd feeds off me. Hearing my songs live are going to be a bit different than on the album because I can be inspired to stretch out and jam when I feel the illumination of the moment. I enjoy playing and interacting with the people. I like to take everybody on this Rock N Roll journey with me. I’ve been playing in the best Rock’n’Roll venues in Los Angeles on the Sunset Strip. Coming to Las Vegas was a real treat for me because the Vegas crowd gets to see the best acts in the world. To have them like my show and appreciating my music was a great feeling. I’ve been told my show remind people of concerts they saw in the 70’s and 80’s, like AC/DC, Ted Nugent, Deep Purple and Whitesnake. That’s the best compliment ever! I loved playing at Count’s Vamp’d and I’ll be coming back soon. 

 Who are your influences?

While most of my shows are original music, I perform 3-4 covers in my shows and those are dedicated to those musicians who have inspired me to write and perform my style of music. Lately, I’ve been opening my shows with a few measures of George Thorogood’s Bo Diddley “ Who do you love”,  because playing that song, and being reminded of him, grounds me in the rock blues feeling that I grew up with. I don’t do covers just to have the audience enjoy some classic rock hit. I perform covers because when I  play Ted Nugent, “Free For All”,  I can feel his energy coming through me. I play an AC/DC song, “It’s a long way to the top”  because the words are true. It is a very long way to the top. And AC/DC was the first band who inspired me to write hard rock and give a sense to my stories. Bon Scott and Brian Johnson are not just singing, but telling stories in their music and everybody remembers their songs. That’s also what inspires my vocal quality. I’m not trying to sing perfectly, I’m singing full-out, with all my soul. Sometimes I find myself moving like James Brown. He cared most about the groove and I feel the same way. My body gets locked into the rhythm and the spirit of the music takes over.

 What inspires you to be so full of energy and life?

I discovered a few years ago that when I take the stage I have a persona that comes out of me. It’s not a choice. It’s what happens with the freedom of playing the music that I love and being one with my guitar. I also discovered that I have to be in incredible shape to survive my shows. This requires me to have a high intensity workout program, which includes jump roping with weighted jump ropes, body weight calisthenics, lots of pull-ups, rings and stretching. I eat extremely healthy and I love that my work is a state of body and mind. I feel powerful and full of energy all of the time. 

What is your favorite thing about being a musician?

I like that I can turn any experience, good or bad, into a song. Everything I write becomes a story. I like to write music about women being strong, guys at their best, people being hopeful and feeling that they can accomplish anything. Stay strong and never give up. I have a new song coming out called “You’re not alone”. It’s very different from my other songs and those who have heard it love it. It’s tender, inspiring and but still rock. Every day I enjoy that I am lucky to be able to do what I want to do. It’s not an easy job, but it’s very rewarding. The responsibility of my success is determined by the amount of energy I give to my art, combined with people believing and supporting me. I think about music and working on music most of my waking hours. There’s never a moment where the music isn’t running through my head. I never wake up thinking,  “Oh,  I have to go to work.” I wake up inspired because I’m thankful to be able to do what I love everyday. I think people can feel that when they hear my music and come to my shows.

 Are you working on new music for an album and what is in the future of Alex Cole?

I’m working on a new album that I’m getting ready to record. The songs are some of my best work. At Vamp’d I played on a whim one of my new songs, “Lady Horse Fly” just because I wanted to see how the people reacted. And they loved it, even though I haven’t written all the lyric yet – they loved it. I’m kind-of fearless in that way. I’m never afraid to try new things. I believe in the real experience.

Please plug anything you are working on and how we can find you on the internet…

I’ll be playing at the Whisky A Go Go on March 26 and Viper Room on April 7 both are in Hollywood on the Sunset Strip. I like interacting with people on social media. You can find me as alexcolerocks on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook/alexcolerocksofficial. Check out my website to hear my music, see my videos and stay informed on what’s new in the world of Alex Cole at www.alexcolerocks.com 

Thank you for your time Alex, and hope to see you ripping up the stage at Vamp’d again soon!!! I wish you the best!!!

Thank you so much Sin City Presents and Leah Burlington for interviewing me. I really appreciate the opportunity to let others know more about me and my music. It’s been a pleasure meeting you! 

Originally published at Sin City Presents Magazine  Volume 5 issue #2

  • Client: Alex Cole
  • Year: 2018
  • Agency: Photography of Leah Burlington