Sending huge gratitiude and kudos to the generous and gracious #AlexCuba for his interview with me on #ArtBeat March 20th. For those of you who heard the show live, I hope you enjoyed it.
Very sadly the Spring Equinox gremlins, or more likely simply my novice shifty fingers, created a technical glitch.The recording got cut off just a few seconds into it. CICK has no recording of the interview to share. It is hugely disappointing as Alex was candid, authentic and thoughtful in our conversation. We spoke about his new CD, his upcoming tour, his home and family in Smithers, and his relationship to Smithers. He is proud to be Canadian and glad to live in Smithers.
I hope Alex will return soon to CICK to have another interview with me. I focused part of my interview on his love of Smithers and his connection to this community. This was meant as a resource for those who don't know our community to visualize what Smithers offers. We spoke about the vibrant cultural community #Smithers offers. Smithers is more then a small remote Canadian town, it is a supportive cultural oasis (e.g. Bulkley Valley Guitar Camp whose past instructors include Valdy/Bourne & McLeod/ Lester Quitzau, and Midsummer Music Fest). Smithers is a beautiful, caring town and as Alex said, "a good place to raise a family".
Stay tuned for a future 1 hour special interview with more time for Alex's thoughts and to share as much of his music as possible.
Sincere apologies again to Alex Cuba for the lost recording, and to those of you who missed the interview.
Meanwhile, here is a link to an outstanding podcast conversation from Feb. 2015 between Alex and Leo Sidran. Leo is co-producer of Alex Cuba's new CD HEALER. Alex says he spoke more openly in this interview then he has ever before.
http://www.third-story.com/episodes/2015/2/18/episode-25-alex-cuba
MOST IMPORTANT, Check out ALEX CUBA #Healer. This CD has a fresh sound with several impressive musical collaborations (Ron Sexsmith/Anja Marina/David Myles). Make sure to listen to "In 1-2-3-4" that Alex wrote intending the song for Ricky Martin to perform. Also listen to "BRINDO" - 'I offer' the song sums up what Alex Cuba gives his fans, an authentic offering from his heart and soul that channels his musical talents and inspirations. The result is powerful medicine proving to listeners Alex Cuba's own belief that the great healer is music itself.
Just when you think you have Alex Cuba's sound figured out...Shazam! We get HEALER, a cleaner contemporary Alex Cuba that strips away unnecessary sound layers and that highlights his innate and practiced songwriting skills. More then any of his previous albums, HEALER features Cuba's intoxicatingly smooth voice, unfettered, and unwavering. HEALER is not to be missed.
Healer is available for pre-order now on I-Tunes, and will be released on 31 March. If you are lucky there may still be tickets to his CD release performance at the Della Herman on 31 March (available at Mountain Eagle Books). If ths show is sold out, considering treating yourself to the CD and dont miss the next Smithers opportunity.
Alex Cuba is playing Smithers first, a gift to the community then he heads off to a world of waiting fans with a tour that includes Toronto, New York and Los Angeles.
On August 7-8 Alex will open for Sheryl Crow at the Hollywood Bowl (!!!). If you ask me, that would be worth the trip to LA!
Attaching a couple photos of Alex in CICK studio with me. In one photo I am showing off a doppleganger button on my jacket. It is actually South African music icon Miriam Makeba, but looks a lot like Alex. :)
This week from my contrite Art Heart, I'm
Colleen Sharpe