We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alx8721. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with alx8721 below.

Alx8721, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always had a creative side. As a kid, I spent a lot of time drawing, writing, and reading. I also picked up the guitar a few years back, learning a few chords and some tablature, but it was nothing serious.

It wasn’t until a life-changing divorce and a year of homelessness that I started playing guitar more often. To my surprise, those guitar skills translated well to the piano, and I found myself diving into it. I never imagined I’d be playing piano, let alone with both hands, looking up chords and making music.

I wouldn’t call myself a professional musician—more of an aspiring one. Soon, I’ll be starting a bachelor’s program in music at a local university here in Arizona.

I don’t have dreams of fame; I just want to work with music in some capacity as a career. It’s kept me going through the hardest times, and for me, it’s a way to connect with the divine within.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About me:

I’m Chicano, a U.S. citizen of Mexican descent, and family has always been at the center of my life. I’ve never been driven by the pursuit of money, but by the pursuit of love—starting with self-love.

I’m a proud father of four amazing boys who are the center of my world. I’m also a U.S. Army veteran (MOS: 11B1P), and in recent years, I’ve embraced my passion for music.

I play both classical guitar (with a flamenco/Spanish influence) and electric guitar (leaning toward blues and metal). I also play the piano, though I’m still exploring where I fit genre-wise, as I’m figuring it out as I go.

I’m from Maryvale, Phoenix, AZ, and have recently started performing at open mic nights around town. Soon, I’ll be attending a local university to study music and nurture my creative spirit, with the ultimate goal of building a career in music.

Currently, I alternate between guitar and piano, often blending them together with looping to create a one-man-band kind of sound. It may seem unusual, but it’s been a rewarding process.

Above all, I’m most proud of the gift I’ve been given to play these instruments. It’s given me a sense of purpose that goes far beyond anything material—it’s my connection to the divine within.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part has been the therapy and healing I’ve found through music. Sharing, playing, and performing my music for others is just the icing on the cake. And hearing that others find as much value in it as I do? That’s the cherry on top. I love music—it’s taught me how to love myself.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During a period of homelessness, I spent a few months living in a national forest. I had very little—money, food, even water—but I kept practicing music no matter what. I’d play at my campsite, by the local waterfalls, and around various spots so often that people started to hear me. It made me approachable, and after chatting with a few people in the area, I never really had to worry about food or money anymore.

Believe it or not, I even had a keyboard with me, and I’d practice that too. Seriously though, who brings their instruments to a national forest?

Guess that makes me a bit of a madman, or just a resilient one. Idk, sometimes that’s a fine line.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alx.8721?igsh=a2Rmd3Y2bGd2dzdy&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/QbcCtymaw2QE14en/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alx.8721?si=u3rRluWOelf7Mt6J
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alx.8721?_t=8qXNjDCC02o&_r=1