Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Bergan
Hi Alex, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The only constant in my life, since I was a boy, has been music.
Growing up in small-town Iowa didn’t warrant much excitement. The environment forced me to be creative. To put it simply, that’s why I’ve been an artist in some form or another since I could hold a pencil.
When I was around 5 years old, I discovered my late grandfather’s old Harmony guitar. Looking back, it wasn’t a very good one, but man, the wonder of that instrument excited me, as such a young boy.
When I turned 8, my parents gifted me my first guitar for Christmas and the addition was in full-swing.
I taught myself how to play, how to write songs and how to perform in front of total strangers. I’ve always had a knack for singing, so naturally, the guitar helped me to accentuate that.
I would continue doing my musical thing throughout my adolescence and even played regularly with the local legends back home. Surrounding myself with all of those incredible musicians cast the mold of what would happen down the line.
I went to a community college in Northern Iowa on a singing scholarship, then left for the Navy in 2012. I think, that was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Throughout my 10 years of active service, I’d play all around the world with some of the best musicians to do it. Eventually, I landed in San Diego and found my place.
Quite literally two weeks before my military service was up, I signed my first publishing deal and realized that I can really take this dream somewhere.
I’ve been fortunate enough to share stages with some legends. Nathaniel Rateliff, Kenny Loggins, John Butler and Marc Ford, to name a few. Each one of those people started out just like me…a kid with a dream.
All of that leads me to this: A dream is only what you make of it. Don’t let anyone tell you “no” or that you don’t belong. Work hard, be a good human being and stay focused. It will come.
Though, I’ve been a musician for most of my life, I’m just now getting ready to release my first full-length album in January. The first single, “Replica”, will be available everywhere on October 4.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The music industry is probably the most fickle and unforgiving of them all. It has been far from easy, but maybe that’s what makes it so special.
I’ve played everything from empty rooms to opening for a national act in a sold-out theater. Opportunities have been in the palm of my hand one minute, and disappeared the next. There’s been a handful of occasions where I was guaranteed a certain amount of money, and left with nothing. Don’t even get me started on the streaming services that are quite literally stealing from the artists.
I’ve navigated all of this and more by realizing my worth and what I can bring to the table. After all, I’ve got a family to feed and I want to show my son that though, bad things happen, what you make of the situation will give you leg up in reaching the next destination.
I don’t stop. I work hard. I refuse to succumb to any defeat. The only choice is to keep growing and move forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer-songwriter.
If it were up to me to decide, I’d say that I’m most known for writing songs that make the lonely feel like they have a place and breaking up those “real” moments with a bit of my humor. All in all, I want people to feel something with what I do. Whether that be a sense of belonging, happiness or sadness, it’s all about the relationship I have with a crowd when I step on stage.
I’m certainly most proud of my ability to connect with total strangers. Sure, I’ve won awards and had some great songs take me to wonderful places, but this isn’t about me. When I put a pen to a page, play that piece of music for some folks and pull something magical out of thin air, it’s about every single person in that room. The music gives us all a place. That’s what I’m most proud of.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be kind.
Look, you can have all the talent in the world and be a total asshole and you’ll see very quickly, you won’t be going very far.
No matter your skill level or status in the industry, if you’re a genuinely GOOD person, people will respect you and help carry you to where you want to go.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbergan_official?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alexberganmusic?si=WFQlfZwk0JV45TI6
- Other: https://linktr.ee/AlexBergan?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=50d526c0-09cb-4957-91fc-e85681bf01f0
Image Credits
Sydney Valiente
Kristy Walker
