Alex Maher Unveils Electro-Pop Single “Red Planet”
A Filipinx-Canadian multi-instrumentalist and loop artist, Alex Maher‘s solo performances combine genre-bending mashups with passionate originals to showcase his musical instincts. Fusing classic soul influences, funk, electro-pop, and jazz chops, his songwriting explores human connection in the modern age.
The song “Red Planet” is a metaphor, using the image of the barren and desolate planet Mars as a parallel of what becomes of us when we allow depression and frustration to linger unaddressed instead of letting the light of love in.
“Every night as I commuted back to my temporary home in Calgary, I was aware of a constant companion just above the horizon: the planet Mars. Out of that came a metaphor, for when we give in to helplessness and self-isolate. This song is about getting out of that orbit, being accountable, and proactive. I hope this song encourages self-reflection.“
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Alex Maher and I’m a Filipino-Canadian multi-instrumentalist and loop artist. I play alto sax, electric guitar, SPDS drum pad, synth, keyboards, and sing. My music fuses classic soul influences, funk, electro-pop, and jazz chops, and my songwriting explores human connection in the modern age. I’m based in Winnipeg where I moved during the pandemic. Before that, I built my career in the Vancouver music scene and I was born and grew up in Toronto.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
My latest song is called “Red Planet.” It’s been a work in progress for a while now, but I started working on it in earnest with the producer polun (a.k.a Terence Lam) during the fall of 2022 at Canada’s Music Incubator in Calgary. The last few years have been full of change – both for me personally, and on a more global level, too. I was reflecting on the noise of everything around me and the emotions that came out of feeling powerless to help. Every night as I commuted back to my temporary home in Calgary, I was aware of a constant companion just above the horizon: the planet Mars. That became a central metaphor for the song. When we give in to helplessness, we breed depression and anger, and in effect self-isolate. This song is about getting out of that orbit, being accountable, and being proactive. It’s ultimately a song about healing and taking those steps to heal now today.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
I’ll be playing a residency in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico over the winter months. When I get back to Canada I’ve got a full summer of touring ahead of me – follow me on social for those dates, I’ll be heading across Canada and dipping into the U.S. with Winnipeg-based instrumental collective, Apollo Suns.
If given the chance, which Canadian artist would you love to work with in the future?
I would love to work with KAYTRANADA. I sometimes cover his song Got it Good. The beats are next-level.
What’s your goal for 2024?
My goal is to release another single while I finish the album I’ve got cooking, to connect with even more fans through my music, and then on a more personal level, I’d like to focus on finding the hope and joy in what can sometimes feel like a grim world.
Connect with Alex Maher:
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