Get used to the name Alex Gardner, 2010's brightest new talent. The 18-year-old Scot is the complete package: the pop-writing craft of George Michael the looks of a young Elvis and a soul-pop voice to die for, combine this with the power pop team of Xenomania and we have something utterly unique.
"I want write great pop songs that last forever," he says. "My own music taste is so diverse, from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin to Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, that I can appreciate the good in any song. I can pick out a fancy guitar riff and go 'Wow, that bit is really good'. Regardless of where the music is from. That's why my songs go from soulful ballads to pumping pop tracks."
Having supported Paolo Nutini across Scotland, played on the same bill as Mika and Paloma Faith and performed dozens of his own shows, Gardner has cut his chops live. "Performing is such an essential part of what I do," he enthuses. "I was always the guy at parties who'd get the guitar out."
Tracks like 'Picture Me Running', 'I'm Not Mad', 'Where Were U When I Was Sleeping' and the huge 'Yesterday's News' have already become audience favourites, not least at 2009's T In The Park where Gardner wowed the BBC Introducing... stage, strutting his stuff with a confidence that belies his young years. "I'm 18 going on 30," he agrees.
Exciting new singer-songwriter Alex Gardner releases his mouth-watering debut single 'I'm Not Mad', March 22nd - the opening glimpse of his rich, soulful voice and first taste of his prolific pop writing.
Written by Alex Gardner and produced by Xenomania this addictive track has already become an early fan favourite from his performances at T in the Park's BBC Introducing stage and Scotland support shows for Paolo Nutini.
With me and Brian it's different," Alex tells of his unique writing partnership with hit-maker Higgins. "I had an idea of what I wanted to do. He had an idea of what he wanted me to do. And it was bang in the middle."
With his debut album set for release in the summer his songbook runs the gamut from soulful ballads, after-hours love, pumping pop tracks and aching dancefloor struts.
"I have enough for a double-disk, with b-sides!" he laughs. "Which is a great situation to be in - the struggle of 'I can't take that one off', 'I've got to keep that one'."
Alex Gardner kicks off the New Year with a 'New To Q Session' January 27th alongside I Blame Coco and Miike Snow. After which he plays a series of headline shows up and down the UK - plus a gig at Jazz Café as special guest to Paloma Faith.
http://www.seetickets.com"I want write great pop songs that last forever," he says. "My own music taste is so diverse, from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin to Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, that I can appreciate the good in any song. I can pick out a fancy guitar riff and go 'Wow, that bit is really good'. Regardless of where the music is from. That's why my songs go from soulful ballads to pumping pop tracks."
Having supported Paolo Nutini across Scotland, played on the same bill as Mika and Paloma Faith and performed dozens of his own shows, Gardner has cut his chops live. "Performing is such an essential part of what I do," he enthuses. "I was always the guy at parties who'd get the guitar out."
Tracks like 'Picture Me Running', 'I'm Not Mad', 'Where Were U When I Was Sleeping' and the huge 'Yesterday's News' have already become audience favourites, not least at 2009's T In The Park where Gardner wowed the BBC Introducing... stage, strutting his stuff with a confidence that belies his young years. "I'm 18 going on 30," he agrees.
Exciting new singer-songwriter Alex Gardner releases his mouth-watering debut single 'I'm Not Mad', March 22nd - the opening glimpse of his rich, soulful voice and first taste of his prolific pop writing.
Written by Alex Gardner and produced by Xenomania this addictive track has already become an early fan favourite from his performances at T in the Park's BBC Introducing stage and Scotland support shows for Paolo Nutini.
With me and Brian it's different," Alex tells of his unique writing partnership with hit-maker Higgins. "I had an idea of what I wanted to do. He had an idea of what he wanted me to do. And it was bang in the middle."
With his debut album set for release in the summer his songbook runs the gamut from soulful ballads, after-hours love, pumping pop tracks and aching dancefloor struts.
"I have enough for a double-disk, with b-sides!" he laughs. "Which is a great situation to be in - the struggle of 'I can't take that one off', 'I've got to keep that one'."
Alex Gardner kicks off the New Year with a 'New To Q Session' January 27th alongside I Blame Coco and Miike Snow. After which he plays a series of headline shows up and down the UK - plus a gig at Jazz Café as special guest to Paloma Faith.
