Alexander McCowan
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
November 4th 2009
Preparing for takeoff:
Local musician mixes business with pleasure
by Mike Duerksen (Volunteer)
When Alexander McCowan heads out to promote Thief, his latest EP, later
on this year, he won’t be logging miles in a touring van and sticking to a
premeditated agenda.
Instead, the Winnipeg singer-songwriter will arrange gigs around his work
schedule, which will naturally take him to places all over the country. That’s
because McCowan is a flight attendant by day and a musician by night.
“I want to do a fly around and do a show in Edmonton. Fifteen days later I’ll
do a show in Vancouver; two days later I might do a show in Toronto,” said
McCowan, 28, over the phone last week from an Edmonton hotel in
between flights. “And it might not even be a show. I’m also looking into
doing some busking. Everything is changing now in music. You really have
to do unconventional things to get people’s attention and get your music
out.”
McCowan’s career path has been equally strange.
Aspiring to be a long distance competitive runner, he tore a knee ligament
in his second year of university that put a bleak end to his athletic tenure.
During his recovery, McCowan picked up playing guitar from his older
brother.
“I thought learning to play guitar would be a good way to spend some time.
Once I picked it up and learnt a couple of Tom Petty and Neil Young songs,
I was hooked.”
Five years later, McCowan headed to Ireland to explore his family’s heritage
and find employment for a year. It was then that he first started writing
songs.
“They were fun songs I would write to try and impress a girl or get her to
talk to me,” he said.
But when he returned to Winnipeg in 2005, he started putting more stock
into songwriting and released his first demo, 5 For Free.
“I was just mimicking people. I mimicked the Springsteen style, and then I
got into this Jack White phase where I bought effects pedals and started
doing really bluesy stuff,” McCowan said of the release.
“I really wanted to be everything. I wanted to have a music show where you
could see every kind of music from blues to bluegrass, and some folk songs
and punk songs,” McCowan explained. “I was spreading myself too thin.”
Since then, McCowan has been crystallizing his full-band folk sound
reminiscent of Dylan-infused Ben Harper musings, churning out the seven-
song EP.
With it, McCowan admitted, he’s learned his lessons.
“I think I’m starting to get it right now. It’s good to leave stuff out of your
show. It’s good to leave stuff out of your music. It helps define you,” he said.
“When you try to do too much, I don’t think you place your focus and
energy on anything.” - The Uniter (University of Manitoba)
January 20th 2010
ALEXANDER MCCOWAN - Thief
by Ian McAmmond (Volunteer)
ALEXANDER MCCOWAN
Thief
Label: Independent
4 out of 5 stars
Catchy hooks, relaxed rhythms and thoughtful lyrics permeate Alex McCowan’s debut album Thief. Only a few years on the scene, local folkie McCowan has produced a mature album featuring six originals and a cover. Peter Bjorn and John’s unpleasant Young Folks become poignant in McCowan’s capable hands. Standout tracks Ode to Lakewater and Juste Comme Jacques Cousteau show complementary sides of McCowan with the former being more brooding while the latter is more akin to pop. Although I’m not entirely sure what it’s about, GDP (Be Somebody) has been stuck in my mind for the last week, and not in the annoying way. Throughout the album snippets of mandolin, banjo and accordion can be heard, being used to great effect. The album is not overcrowded and the poetry of the lyrics mixes well with the instrumentation. - University Of Winnipeg
January 20th 2010
ALEXANDER MCCOWAN - Thief
by Ian McAmmond (Volunteer)
ALEXANDER MCCOWAN
Thief
Label: Independent
4 out of 5 stars
Catchy hooks, relaxed rhythms and thoughtful lyrics permeate Alex McCowan’s debut album Thief. Only a few years on the scene, local folkie McCowan has produced a mature album featuring six originals and a cover. Peter Bjorn and John’s unpleasant Young Folks become poignant in McCowan’s capable hands. Standout tracks Ode to Lakewater and Juste Comme Jacques Cousteau show complementary sides of McCowan with the former being more brooding while the latter is more akin to pop. Although I’m not entirely sure what it’s about, GDP (Be Somebody) has been stuck in my mind for the last week, and not in the annoying way. Throughout the album snippets of mandolin, banjo and accordion can be heard, being used to great effect. The album is not overcrowded and the poetry of the lyrics mixes well with the instrumentation. - University Of Winnipeg
Chandra Dupuis
Student Contributor
January 26, 2010
IMAGINE driving along a sunny dirt road on a hot Manitoba summer day, the warm dry air flowing through your open windows.
Although that feeling of freedom is no more than a nice January daydream, Alexander McCowan’s CD could be the perfect soundtrack for that fantasy.
McCowan’s album Thief is filled with a mature, light, and fun sound. It could be a staple in any folk/pop collection.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this singer/songwriter’s EP is an obvious labor of love. His catchy melodies and lyrics will have you humming his tune the rest of your day.
His collaboration with imaginative producer Dale Penner and addition of talented local studio musicians Daniel Roy (drums), Paul Yee (Bass) and Tim Elias (multi-instrumentalist, vocals), makes for a surrealistic
and groovy collection.
McCowan’s cover of Peter, Bjorn and John’s Young Folks may be the CD’s best track. Released in Nov. 2009, he paints a picture of a softer world. An extremely innovative tale on the original pop/indie tune, McCowan’s mature voice and knack for expressive lyrics gives the song a great polish.
“There are a lot of cool rooms and hallways on this record,” McCowan said on his website. “A lot of cool places I can see myself walking through and towards.”
Songs like The Digger will ahve you tapping your feet and humming along, giving any music lover and energetic kick. The CD cover opens on a couple of funky mug-style shots of a curly-haired guy with a great fake twiddle-me moustache, which reflects the playfulness of many of McCowan’s quirky songs.
That playfulness is what sets McCowan apart. He is refreshingly witty and clever in his lyrics and style. He has a smooth-as-warm-butter voice and a soulful sound that you don’t see very often in the folk/pop industry. Music lovers will be overjoyed that this local talent is making a name for himself and actively performing in the community. Thief is a must-listen album. It’s unfortunate there are only seven tracks.
To sample more of McCowan’s music, visit:
www.alexandermccowan.com
- The Projector (Red River College)
Chandra Dupuis
Student Contributor
January 26, 2010
IMAGINE driving along a sunny dirt road on a hot Manitoba summer day, the warm dry air flowing through your open windows.
Although that feeling of freedom is no more than a nice January daydream, Alexander McCowan’s CD could be the perfect soundtrack for that fantasy.
McCowan’s album Thief is filled with a mature, light, and fun sound. It could be a staple in any folk/pop collection.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this singer/songwriter’s EP is an obvious labor of love. His catchy melodies and lyrics will have you humming his tune the rest of your day.
His collaboration with imaginative producer Dale Penner and addition of talented local studio musicians Daniel Roy (drums), Paul Yee (Bass) and Tim Elias (multi-instrumentalist, vocals), makes for a surrealistic
and groovy collection.
McCowan’s cover of Peter, Bjorn and John’s Young Folks may be the CD’s best track. Released in Nov. 2009, he paints a picture of a softer world. An extremely innovative tale on the original pop/indie tune, McCowan’s mature voice and knack for expressive lyrics gives the song a great polish.
“There are a lot of cool rooms and hallways on this record,” McCowan said on his website. “A lot of cool places I can see myself walking through and towards.”
Songs like The Digger will ahve you tapping your feet and humming along, giving any music lover and energetic kick. The CD cover opens on a couple of funky mug-style shots of a curly-haired guy with a great fake twiddle-me moustache, which reflects the playfulness of many of McCowan’s quirky songs.
That playfulness is what sets McCowan apart. He is refreshingly witty and clever in his lyrics and style. He has a smooth-as-warm-butter voice and a soulful sound that you don’t see very often in the folk/pop industry. Music lovers will be overjoyed that this local talent is making a name for himself and actively performing in the community. Thief is a must-listen album. It’s unfortunate there are only seven tracks.
To sample more of McCowan’s music, visit:
www.alexandermccowan.com
- The Projector (Red River College)
Discography
'PRESENT TIMES' (November 2012)
'THIEF' EP (November 2009)
'THIEF DEMO' (January 2008)
'5 FOR FREE' (July 2006)
CBC Radio 1 89.3FM, 92.9 KICK FM (Red River College), 101.5 UMFM (University of Manitoba), 95.9 FM CKUW (University of Winnipeg), ENVOL 91.1
Photos
Bio
Alexander McCowan (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada).
"In oblivion, all is one and equal."
And so begins the epic and memorable 'Present Times', the second album from 6'5" singer/songwriter Alexander McCowan. Recorded in the cold winter months of 2012, at the prestigious Private Ear Studios in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 'Present Times' evokes the spirit of the 'eternal moment of now' with catchy, thoughtful California-inspired folk & country music. At the centre, is moustached singer/songwriter Alexander McCowan and his three muses - the acoustic guitar, the weissenborn and the ukulele.
Building upon the successes of his first record 'Thief' (2009), which included national radio play and a 26-date cross-Canada tour, Alexander is back and ready to re-connect with the road. 'Present Times' was released on November 23, 2012 to a sold-out audience at the St. Boniface Museum (built in 1847, it is the oldest standing building in the city of Winnipeg). Already picked up by the local university and college radio stations, 'Present Times' now looks to spread its wings and take off into the ears and hearts of Canadians everywhere.
Predominantly touring solo, Alexander McCowan brings character and content to the role of the singer/songwriter. A fresh and engaging presence, his 'smooth as warm butter' voice and his unique and playful songwriting all contribute to a warm, wholesome experience, which lingers in the minds and souls of his audience.
Now performing.
"4 out of 5 stars...Catchy hooks, relaxed rhythms and thoughtful lyrics permeate Alexander McCowan’s debut album 'Thief'."
- Ian McAmmond, The Uniter, University of Winnipeg
"...reminiscent of Dylan-infused Ben Harper musings"
- Mike Duerksen, The Uniter, University of Winnipeg
"That playfulness is what sets McCowan apart. He is refreshingly witty and clever in his lyrics and style. He has a smooth-as-warm-butter voice and a soulful sound... 'Thief' is a must-listen album."
- Chandra Dupuis, The Projector, Red River College (MB)
Links
