A multi-instrumentalist and loop artist will bring his unique fusion of “jazz chops with classical soul influences” to Nanaimo this week.
Alex Maher will play the Nanaimo Bar on Thursday, Aug. 11.
“I’m a one-man show. As a live looper, I’ll be performing several different instruments and looping them one at a time, creating a full range of sound to deliver a very funky, soulful performance,” he said.
As a loop artist, he will single-handedly undertake vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboard, drum and synth.
In his show, Maher will not only perform original pieces but the occasional remix and mash-up as well.
His interest in loop recordings started, Maher said, while living in Vancouver where he would host several open mic nights. Over time, he was able to deliver a much fuller range as his sound evolved. And although he had a band at the time, Maher said he was also getting booked as a solo artist.
Shortly after the release of his 2020 EP, Dream Final, he had planned to do a national tour in celebration, which unfortunately was cancelled in March of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lot of the themes [in Dream Final] deal with a lot of our current – climate and economic – situation as well. A couple of the songs deal with it very directly,” he said.
His Nanaimo stop is one of nine West Coast performances lined up for August. Maher said he is especially excited to play Nanaimo again since he grew up in the city and attended Dover Bay Secondary School.
“I had a lot of great times growing up in Nanaimo – as well as a very influential musical period where I was under the instruction of Bryan Stovell … I would say my jazz training in Nanaimo was formative to my music career now.”
Maher will play the Nanaimo Bar, 75 Front St., on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.
READ MORE: Funkanometry advances through ‘America’s Got Talent’ to live shows
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter