Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
Proud Alberta born and raised. I grew up in a Metis Settlement called Fishing Lake. I spent most of my childhood roaming free, outdoors, I would often leave on Friday night and my mother would just tell us to come home for Sunday night dinner. We had one radio station in our local town, and it was a country station. My parents would play all the old classic country and rock legends day in and day out, like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, CCR to ACDC, this was the soundtrack to my childhood. As I grew up, I eventually got into some more alternative artists as well, like Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell and Our Lady Peace to name a few. I definitely find myself pulling inspo today with my music from my favourite artists, as well as a variety of styles.
How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Dallas Alexander”?
If anyone knows me well, they know I spend most of my down time writing and strumming the guitar at every chance I get. I plan to continue to write and keep the new music stream flowing. My goal is to continue to play as many live shows as I can. I love connecting with people at my shows, I am already blown away by the positive response from the good people that attend these events. This fall we have a tour booked with all Canadian venues, I’ll be joining my friend Gord Bamford on his “Canadian Dirt Tour”, and my goal is to focus more in the US in the winter/spring, and of course I would be stoked to start touring internationally as well! I am going to keep my music and style as honest as I can. I really am enjoying what I am doing so far, and I am not trying to impress anyone to be honest. I will be keeping my style and music purely authentic to me without waiver.
Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
My favourite artist I would have to say, without a doubt is always Jamey Johnson, he’s just doin his thing. I admire him as a songwriter, a truth teller and as a performer. I find inspiration from Life. Where I grew up, how I was raised, family traditions, struggles, good times, interesting stories and current events. For me, music can be quite therapeutic.
Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Child of This Land”?
It attempts to paint a picture of my experience at the same time a collective experience growing up where I did (Fishing Lake, Metis Settlement). It touches on community, religion, race, tradition and that feeling of not always fitting in.
How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A) Gritty
Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Child of This Land”?
I wouldn’t necessarily call them challenges but, it definitely took some work to get the sound precisely the way that I envisioned it to be. There was a lot of back and forth with a stellar team that I am humbled and blessed to work with.
What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
The overarching message is to just keep it real. To continue to learn and master this craft of songwriting, music producing and performing, I love bringing people together and I want them to have an amazing experience when they come to these events each time.
Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A) Well, it would have to be Johnny Cash.
What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A) Make music that you love and become obsessed with it.
If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
Jesus, I could write a novel lol … What I always tell my two teenage boys is “Spend your time doing things that you are passionate about, if it doesn’t fire you up don’t fuckin do it!”
