Friday January 2, 2009
Linda East Brady
Standard-Examiner Staff
Alaska-bred musician heads to Ogden for joint concert with fellow guitaristAt 23 years of age, Alex Weed has managed to serve two musical masters. The Alaska native is working toward a guitar performance major at Boston's Berklee College of Music, one of the country's most prestigious music colleges. And like many a student, when on break from school, he works. He tours. His current winter-break tour will bring him to his first Utah show, at The Wine Cellar on Wednesday with fellow guitarist Colin Lake. Sometimes it is hard doing both things, study and tour," said Weed, calling from his mother's house in Anchorage, where he spent Christmas. "I think sometimes about just studying in the summer, too, and just finishing up, but by the time summer comes, I need that break. And I put to use everything I am learning and woodshedding with in school during the tours."
Out early
Guitar was not Weed's first instrument. He said he has taken music classes since he was a baby, and that he started playing piano in earnest at about age 5. He picked up a guitar at about age 10, when his hands were finally big enough to allow him to play. He has been playing professionally since his late teens, hitting the club and festival circuit with the assistance of his mother. "It was certainly a great learning experience, to get out there and do it, and see other musicians," Weed said. "Being able to talk and learn from other musicians, seeing for myself that this is alive music art form, and seeing it is still possible to play this kind of music for a living, was really a good part about getting out there... so early."
Beyond Boston
When Weed returns to Berklee at the end of his January tour, he will refocus on his studies and leave the live shows behind for a while. "There is a music scene in Boston," said Weed, "but it's really kind of for established musicians only, it sometimes seems. There is a lot of competition for gigs -- even from my Berklee professors. "I did play the Boston Blues Festival last year, but it's hard in general to land gigs there. The West Coast is different, more willing to support an emerging artist. I have been out East since I was 14. I think I will probably return to the West once I graduate. I like the audiences and opportunities out there."