Meet Asher Alexander | Musical Artist & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Asher Alexander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Asher, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Music has always been a meaningful avenue for me to express, articulate and conceptualise my thoughts and experiences to the people around me. From the album cover art and visuals, the rhythm, melodies and cadences of each stanza to the innate sentiment of instrumentals or vocals laid over a chord progression; music’s ability to amalgamate these diverse elements into a unified and emotive experience is what makes it so special to me.

I embarked on my musical journey by learning the ukulele, acoustic guitar, piano and violin between the ages of six to ten and subsequently started producing music whilst in high school. My interest in music was actually first noticed by my brother, as he was a musical inspiration which I looked up to when I was younger. He used to play the guitar in our bedroom and would obsessively discuss his love for the instrument with me. What I did not realise at the time was that his passion for music was seamlessly weaving its way into my soul and over time, our shared appreciation for artists like John Mayer, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, and The 1975 became a common ground, solidifying an unspoken bond between us.

This shared musical passion ultimately led to our collaboration on my debut album ‘Crimson’. We wrote the ten tracks for the album over the span of one year and released it under the alias ‘Asher Alexander’. The experience of creating this record was so enriching as I found the process of both independently and collaboratively creating music with others to be a very intimate, organic and fulfilling experience which has left an indelible mark on my journey as an artist.

This brings me back to the question of ‘What makes me happy and why?’. In essence, it is the ability to create music and share it with the world. It is truly a reflective and expressive passion, as well as a lifelong creative journey which I’m committed to.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
On the 11th of March 2022, a pivotal moment unfolded in my journey as an artist when I decided to release an album as ‘Asher Alexander.’ The fruition of this vision materialised over a year, as I produced all ten tracks with my older brother, Andrew within the confines of my bedroom studio. The culmination of this effort resulted in the ‘Crimson’ album, now available on all major streaming platforms.

Undertaking the challenge of writing, composing, and producing this record during my final year of high school is an achievement that fills me with immense pride. Music, being one of my greatest passions and a revered art form in my life, is something I fervently believe in and hold dear. Thematically, the ‘Crimson’ album delves into the intricacies of romantic relationships, capturing both the peaks and pitfalls. I envisioned this collection of songs not just as an auditory experience but as a sanctuary for overthinking souls, like myself, providing a simultaneous blend of euphoria, nostalgia, and glee throughout its diverse tracks.

My brother and I have found the journey of releasing music independently to be extremely thrilling yet occasionally challenging. Navigating the intricacies of marketing, advertising, distribution, and A&R proved to be both exhilarating and stressful, requiring us to further expand our knowledge and hone these skills on our own. Among our most gratifying accomplishments so far, aside from the album itself, is the conception and release of a physical album zine which played a significant role in effectively promoting the record.

In the grander scheme of things, I aim to prove that local artists have the potential and talent to create world class music and looking forward, I aspire to continuously break barriers as a homegrown, independent artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA offers an abundance of exciting activities, and, in my opinion, the best way to explore the city is by embracing its spontaneous spirit and aligning the itinerary accordingly. The day will kick off with my best friend joining me for a hike in Griffith Park, culminating in an ascent towards the iconic Hollywood Sign—a perfect backdrop for capturing such an unforgettable moment. Subsequently, our taste buds would be in for a treat at the Grand Central Market, where an array of culinary delights awaits. I would highly recommend indulging in the egg sandwiches from Eggslut—undeniably a comforting favourite for everyone. A trip to Santa Monica Beach will also be on the itinerary, especially for the stunning views of the beach and pier. Apart from that, we would visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and swing by Amoeba Music to check out its diverse record collection. As music is an indispensable part of our lives, exploring the varied offerings at Amoeba and picking up a new vinyl record to enjoy back at my place would be the perfect crescendo to the day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a special shoutout to my friend, Hannah, for her exceptional contributions as a co-writer and vocalist on the album-titled track ‘Crimson’. Her involvement added the missing piece and provided the finishing touches that beautifully completed the final arc of the album’s narrative.

Additionally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents, who have consistently been the unwavering pillars of strengths in my life. I am sincerely thankful for their endless support, guidance, and belief in my abilities and passion for music.

My boundless appreciation also goes out to my brother, co-writer and manager, Andrew. His contributions in composition, inspiration, and wisdom have been integral to the success of this project and my aspirations as an artist. Beyond his creative input and commercial acumen, I am grateful for his role as an amazing brother who constantly looks out for me, offering unwavering support and guidance across all my endeavours. I honestly could not have done any of this without him.

Website: https://linktr.ee/asher.alexander

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asher__alexander

Twitter: https://twitter.com/asheralexander_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asher.khoo.3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@asher_alexander

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@asherr_alexander_

Image Credits
Andrew Khoo & Jaeson Loke