Alex Sparrow – Never Be Friends

By starrymag | August 22, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My music will never be old fashion because it already has 30’s and 50’s old school sound in it. I love America of the 50s. Sometimes I feel that part of my soul is still living there. But as I am creating this music today, it has a lot of a modern sound as well. So, I’m not making songs which sound like any other song on the radio, I do something noticeable that you can’t forget if you’ve heard it once. But before I record it in my studio it has to be born in my heart with my real emotions and get a sound of real instruments in my head. I do something that I love because it’s the only way to make it beautiful and be happy.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) There are lots of great musicians! Since I was six years old I have studied and played classic music, so I was growing up with Bach and Vivaldi. But on the other hand, I was very much inspired by Rock’n’Roll music. And I guess at the age of eleven I became a huge fan of Elvis Presley! My mom recorded a TV program about Elvis and showed it to me. There was some black and white footage of young Elvis, and sitting in front of TV and at some point, I realized that I’m dancing with him together while listening to his music! And I fell in love with it forever.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Never Be Friends.”

 

A) The most interesting ideas are born with one simple question “What if….”  This is how I’m writing not only the scripts for all of my music videos but also the script of my life. I started to write the script for “Never Be Friends” with a question – “What if a cool guy in love with a girl will get an answer that she just wants be friends with him?” And I asked myself: “What would I do if I would be that cool guy?” And I just wrote that story down! But the most important part – that’s a funny video about true love and all the crazy things men can do to make his beloved happy, even though she doesn’t really want it.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I’m sure that most people who will listen to that song will know what I’m talking about. And many were in such a situation (including myself) in the past.  It’s impossible to be friends with someone you are dreaming to hug and kiss again and again every single minute. I’ve been through that shit and, believe me, it won’t work. Unfortunately, I was too polite and didn’t go and ruin all the dates of the girl I was in love with back then. But we still ended up in a relationship, as when she broke up with someone, I was the one who was there for her.

 

Q) The video features a lot of vintage looks. What was it about that 50’s era that captivates you?

 

A) I already mentioned my love for the music of that time period. And I think the fashion of the 50s was really beautiful, too. Everything was about showing the beauty of a woman without showing “too much.” It was so respectful to the woman in the way how fashion designers were making their dresses, hats, gloves, hills, stockings, etc. So many details to show up without showing off.

 

I’ve made more than thirty music videos as a director and scriptwriter and got more than a billion views on my clips, but “Never Be Friends” is my favorite work so far. There is such a perfect combination of the song and the story and the old school 50s sound, which fits perfectly to the time period I actually put my characters in! So, get ready to enjoy the ride to the past where the music was recorded with live instruments and a man who was ready to fight for his love!

 

Q) The video also features you in a dress. Talk about getting into the mind of that female character.

 

A) Oh!!!!! That was so funny!!! My whole crew on the set started to laugh when I put on the wig and the dress – I looked so horrible, so they couldn’t help themselves from laughing. I was laughing with them saying, “Please tell the director I don’t wanna be the ugliest girl in this video! I’m quitting!” There was only one problem – I was the director myself! So, I had to convince myself to get into the dress and do my job as an actor – very professional. About getting into the female character, I think I did an outstanding job! Every real girl would easily hit a man with a shovel for true love!

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) I wrote so many songs that by now that I know for sure it doesn’t matter what is born before – music sound, melody or lyrics. Writing is a very fast and easy process for me, which I love the most. The moment I know what I want to say it comes. I just have to write it down. And as long as the song brings you emotions it doesn’t matter how it was created.

 

The song can make you dance or cry, smile or think about your broken heart. The real part of your soul – that is what was makes music be real for others.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) I do everything by myself. Not only in music but in video production as well – all my music I am not only shooting but also editing myself. I am producing the songs, I play all the instruments, create all the sounds and mix it. In “Never Be Friends” guitars, trumpets, piano and drums and backing vocals – everything was played and recorded live by me alone. Every part is pretty easy to play so even beginners can play it separately, but together it sounds very authentic and cool.

 

What can fans expect from a live Alex Sparrow performance?

 

A) Great music, lots of good vibes and positive energy! I just uploaded a new video on my YouTube “Live from my bedroom”. I have made POP cover on my own “Never be friends” song by looping instruments and vocals live in it, so everyone can see how the song is produced in real-time. I think very soon I will make a whole show like this. I will have 4-5 instruments on the stage and “Loop Maschine” to record it and perform live, that will be even more fun!

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

 

A) I will definitely release a lot of new music soon with very cool and creative music videos.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Recently I went to see Shawn Mendes show in LA and I was very happy to see on the stage professional musician who has talent and passion for what he is doing.

Khalid, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, The Weekend, Justin Timberlake, Selena Gomez… and a lot more of truly talented people I would love to write the songs with.

 

Q) We loved seeing you on “UnREAL.” What were some of your unforgettable moments to film?

 

A) First kiss with a man. It was something I thought I’m never gonna do. Amazingly after that show episode, some Russian politicians even wanted to not let me in the country anymore as according to them I was “embarrassing” the nation playing such a character! But getting back to that day on the set, I was very nervous that morning when we were supposed to shoot the scene where I had to kiss the man because I’ve never done it before. But my partner (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman), who has much more experience in that field, was very tactful with me and the director as well didn’t try to push me right into that during rehearsals. But, after the scene was shot, he actually was regretting it many, many times because each time he had to FaceTime with his boyfriend on the set. I was telling his boyfriend that we just kissed a few minutes before. Jeffrey, of course, was yelling what it was on the set when we were shooting a scene, which was true, but it was making it even more funny for everyone around! But, generally, my character in “UnREAL” was the most difficult and not resembling real me of a character that I have ever played.

 

Q) Are there any upcoming roles we’ll be getting to see you in soon?

 

A) This year I’m dedicating to music only. I will do one Italian film, but it’s only because my partner will be the beautiful Caterina Murino from one of my favorite movies James Bond – Casino Royale.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s a very real connection. I think we’re all can share our real emotions through the phone screen. I don’t have a girlfriend for the moment and I just realized that I spend more and more time online. I’m checking social media every minute when my phone is in my hand. Do you know how many unread messages I have in my Instagram DM? None. Zero. I’m checking it every day and either starting to chat with some followers after a cool story where I was tagged or touching “declined.” So, I have I lot of friends online who I’ve never seen in real life with whom I can share my thoughts, my sorrows, my happy or funny moments and music improvisations, which I love to do.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Social media and the internet make us feel really close like we would really know and understand each other and it’s very true at some point. But I wish there will be a day when I will have a chance to get together with all of you and laugh together and share our ideas, fears, wins and goals. Share our love. A big part of my music and videos is dedicated to bringing fun and happiness because this is how our life is supposed to be. So, I wish you all to be happy every day of your life, even if someone makes you feel bad. Make fun of these people, don’t let them run your life! They don’t want you to be happy, so you can either be sad and play their game or you can keep a smile on your face. I will go on doing my best to make you keep a happy smile on your face!