We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alex Richard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alex below.
Alex, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’ve been mystified by music all my life. As a 5-6 years old, I would spend hours going through my father’s vinyl collection, listening to those records, but also analyzing the covers, trying to figure out the stories they were telling! I started piano lessons at 8, but it wasn’t for me. Not that I didn’t like the instrument, it was more that the teaching style wasn’t a match for me. It was only later, as a teen, that I got my first acoustic guitar. Now we were talking! No lessons this time, just hanging out with friends and picking up tips here and there! Years later, that’s still how I progress with any creative skills. I guess it left an impression on me! I started playing solo cover gigs in small bars around town to learn the trade. From a night every other week to 5-6 nights a week in a couple months, I learned quite a bit about how to read and then entertain a crowd! I bombed so many times at first, but that’s how you grow and refine your art.
Leaving the security of a full-time job to do only music was quite a step. But then, leaving the bar scene to start up my own original band has been something else! For now 15 years, Bodh’aktan has been an output for my creativity, as well as an opportunity to learn so many new skills. Being in that band, I got involved in every aspect of the trade as I could. From PR to graphics, from producing an album to recording videos. Curiosity is definitely an asset here: How could I do this? How did they came up with that sound? Most of my week is spent on Google, Youtube or reading forums!
I think the most important thing is to use any setback as a learning experience.. no pain, no gain! During Covid, everything stopped for us musicians. I just turned around and started doing safety videos for a foundry. So instead of being stuck in place, I developed a passion for video editing, photography and graphic design. I now use these skills daily publishing content to social media, both for my band as well as my solo project.
The only thing I regret is not going all in at a music college. I let my self doubt get the best of me, thinking I was lacking music theory. A simple catch-up session would have taken care of that!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Alex Richard. I founded a French Canadian celtic rock outfit called Bodh’aktan. Since 2011, we put out 7 albums (5 in French, 2 in English), 1 EP, a live album and an unplugged one. We’ve toured extensively Canada, Europe and have been playing at Epcot (WDW, Orlando) for 2 months out of the year since 2016. We’ve taken part of major Festivals all over, such as Francophonies de Montréal (Canada). Paléo Festival (Switzerland), Wacken Open Air (Germany), Interceltique de Lorient (France). We’ve been nominated 3 times for Rock Album of the Year at ADISQ (French Canadian equivalent to the Grammies). I’m lead singer in the band, and I play acoustic guitar as well as the Irish bouzouki. I’m also a record producer and studio engineer. In parallel with Bodh’aktan, I perform as a solo artist, and I have put out a few recordings over the years.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
The passion. It’s a calling, there’s no other way to put it. Non-creative might ask themselves why you don’t choose job security and benefits. Trust me, I should (and I’ve tried)! But I’d die a slow death, suffocated in boredom! The creative spark is stronger than anything and needs to be let out! This journey is not the easiest, it has its many struggles, but at the same time it is so rewarding. As a fellow musician once told me, ‘we might not be the richest, but when we’re in retirement home, we’ll have loads of stories to tell!’
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Respect the value of the art. With streaming services, it is almost impossible to make a descent living as a musician. It becomes real important to support artists that you like. The tshirt you’re buying is actually an investment in future music from that artist! Another thing is to share the music. In this abundance of musical offer, word of mouth is still the best way to get your stuff out there. Organic spread is more effective than anything else.
Image Credits
credits are in the file names:
Louis Fernandez
Paul DiGiacomo
Marie Monod