Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Alexander 23 is coming to the Philippines on September 3 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, bringing so much excitement to fans who can’t wait to hear his music live. And the singer-songwriter is equally excited to visit the country and perform in front of his supporters.
Prior to the concert, Alexander 23 met members of the press for a round table media interview via video conferencing last August 4 where he talked about his upcoming show and what he’s most excited about bringing his music to the Philippine concert stage.
Press: What excites you the most about visiting the Philippines?
Alexander 23: What excites you the most? Wow, it’s very hard, well I mean the easy and quick answer is FOOD! I am very excited to try all the food but aside from that, I think what is so exciting is that I’ve been doing these zooms for the past 2 years I think since “IDK you yet” came out, and it’s been such an honor and privilege to get to know everyone through the computer but, I’m just really looking forward to like getting that in-person interaction and that real interpersonal connection that you can’t feel over the computer.
P: What is your initial reaction upon learning that you will be having a show in Manila soon?
A: I was like… F.I.N.A.L.L.Y!!! Oh my god, this has been on top of my list for so long so, it was like a sense of relief and immediate joy I mean, I would tell like people in the Philippines have been outstandingly kind and supportive to me and of my music and so I feel that the least I can do is reciprocate that and come to a show!
P: What would be your favorite song to perform live and why?
A: I will answer in two parts, I am very excited to play “IDK You Yet” live because there are so many places in the world, I still haven’t gotten to do that one yet. You know I’ve gotten to do it around the states but so many other people around the world connected to that song so I’m excited to do that one in Manila.
But, from the new album, I really like playing “Somebody’s Nobody” lives, that’s a really fun one I think, that’s probably one of my favorites from the new one.
P: What can you say about your Filipino fans, and can you tell us about your connection with them?
A: First of all, even the fact that I have a Filipino fan is mind-blowing to me. I grew up in the mid-west, in the middle of the United States, so the fact that anyone in the Philippines knows who I am is already something that I am grateful for. And, like I was saying before, I just have felt just so much kindness from them and they’ve been so unconditionally supportive of me as a person and as a musician so it’s an enormous THANK YOU!
P: You recently performed at Lollapalooza – one of the biggest US Music festivals. Tell us about the experience of performing on the stage in Chicago where you are from?
A: It is AMAZING for so many reasons. The fact that I got to look out into the crowd and see not only that just sea of people but also see my family and my friends who I grew up with made it especially special. Something I’m going to remember forever.
P: Is there any artist you want to collaborate with and if you can tell us about your collaboration process with this album was there enough time to talk about breakups and unrequited loves in between your collaboration sessions?
A: Yeah, luckily the collaborations were a really good opportunity to talk about the kind of stuff that I was going through emotionally. I am really really particular with who I collaborate with, and that’s why historically I haven’t worked with that many people. In this album, I kinda made it a point to bring some people whom I trusted both musically of course but, also emotionally and felt really safe or so. It’s so nice to kinda get some new energy into my music. And then as far as the people that I hope to collaborate with there are definitely a lot of people out there. I think right now on top of the list is an artist called Kacey Musgraves whom I am a super huge fan of! She’s incredible and one of my favorite songwriters.
P: What was it like collaborating with Charlie Puth and Olivia Rodrigo?
A: It was great! I feel very fortunate that some of my closest friends are some of my biggest musical heroes! And people that I just think or so are unbelievably talented. To get to steal their skill set little but for my own music is such a cool thing for me to get to do. It was a fun kind of hand-picking different friends to ask to be involved in my album.
P: Could you tell us about your song “Hate Me If It Helps”? How did you get inspired to write the song or were there any real-life experiences you would like to share that are connected to it?
A: The song for me is definitely kind of a journey. It’s kind of the first time I allowed myself to be kind of angry in a song and just kind of mad and stuff. It’s about the feeling of wanting someone to just get over you at all costs. But then when it comes down to them actually hating you, that still hurts. It’s still something that doesn’t feel good even if you also want them to be able to move on. Kind of just about super conflicting feelings.
Press: You wrote “IDK You Yet” because you had a void in your heart during the pandemic and a lot of people related to that. Do you think music in some ways filled up that void? And how are you now? Are you better?
Alexander 23: That’s a good question! I don’t think anyone asked me if I’m better. You know what I think I am better. Whatever “BETTER” means, I think I am at the very least BETTER than I was before for sure!
P: During the pandemic, you did a lot of stuff like cooking did it helps with your music or your other hobbies?
A: Yes, for me, I always to be doing other million things at once. Like if I’m only doing music, I kind of drive myself crazy you know. So, it’s important for me to have other creative endeavors that I am doing as well.
P: Did you enjoy it? Or did you actually cook a lot of stuff?
A: Yes, I do a decent amount of cooking. I traveled a lot so it’s hard to do it consistently but, whenever I’m in Los Angeles for more than a few days then I’m definitely cooking.
P: On a scale of 1 to 10 and 10 being the highest how excited are you to finally perform in Manila?
A: I would say I’m about 23 out of 10 excited!
P: How does it feel to have finally released a full-length debut album?
A: It feels amazing! I’ve talked about this a little bit today. I think one of the coolest parts about it is, that when you put a single out, you get to see who relates to that single and that’s so special. But, when you put an album out, you get to see the wide array of things that people picked from the album something they identified with and it’s cool to see what the people picked and where different people are drawn towards.
P: Your album is about many things and can be about the breakup as well. How did music become therapy to you as you experienced this?
A: I think I used music as a place I put all of these feelings, so I don’t need to feel them anymore. It’s always been like that, a lot of stuff I talked about in my songs is not things it’s fun to feel that’s why some people relate to them so much! But I like to wash my hands to them and leave them there and so it’s been really a powerful tool for me to deal with some of the heavier emotional stuff that life can sick and throw you away.
Alexander 23 did not let the opportunity pass to throw his own questions as he asked about what Filipino food item he definitely must try during his Manila visit and on the general opinion of Filipinos about Americans.
Closing the interview, the Chicago-bred artist relayed his excitement to perform in the country. “I will see you on September 3. It feels good and I can’t wait,” he remarked.
Alexander 23 Live in Manila is happening on September 3 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura. Tickets are available via SM Tickets outlets and online thru www.smtickets.com.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Floor Standing – Php 2,660
- Balcony – Php 1,920
