Alex Karweit

For Alex Karweit (pronounced car-white), music has always been a tough habit to kick. As a three year old, the San Francisco-based singer songwriter preferred listening to Vivaldi over recess; by eight was obsessed with playing trumpet; and by thirteen was blistering his fingers teaching himself Metallica on his sister's ratty acoustic guitar. Now with seven years of a very guarded devotion to the craft of songwriting under his belt, he has something to say.

His 2007 debut and newly released LP, 'Enemy,' is what's been on his mind. With producer Joey Muller (Savage Garden) behind the glass and on keys, and drummer Jeff Anthony (Sheryl Crow) and bassist Dan Feiszli (Julio Iglesias) in the rhythm section, a musically and lyrically dark and mature record was born. Add multi-Grammy Award nominated mixing guru Mark Needham (The Killers, Chris Isaak, Cake), and you get a polished and lush production.

'Enemy' is tough to categorize; it's sort of Jeff Buckley meets Muse via Beck, but with the lyrical honesty of Fiona Apple and Rufus Wainwright. Alex's enemy is clearly himself, and he bears his inner conflicts with depression, anxiety, and failure for all to see. At the same time, he makes sure to let out his equally sarcastic and often playful views of the world around him.

The two singles 'Knock em Out' and 'Little Bit Here' quickly hint at the musical breadth of the album. One is a danceable, funky pop song, and the other could be mistaken for a Nine Inch Nails track. The whole record is a sonic roller coaster - anthemic, orchestral, dark rock songs like 'Everybody Run', 'Undo', and 'Let it Go,' are somehow seamlessly mixed with the more intimate acoustic tracks 'Until it's Over' and 'Close to You.' Combined with slightly more pop sensible but dark and funky 'LA' and 'Knock em Out,' you get intelligent, unique arrangements in one very diverse record.

Alex performs regularly with his band and solo in Bay Area venues such as Café Du Nord, Red Devil Lounge, Make Out Room, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Hotel Utah, Rock it Room, and 12 Galaxies.