To coincide with the release of a handful of original, eighties rock inspired singles, we caught an interview with accountant and songwriter Alexander Beresford, to find out more about the music and his journey to this point. Here’s how it went.
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Hi Alexander – great to connect. To introduce things, when did you first start making music, and who or what inspired you to start?
Hi, great to connect, The classic song, Europe, The Final Countdown first got me into music. I loved late 1980s rock and got my first electric guitar at Christmas 1988. My Korg D16 multitrack followed in 1999 but in 2024 I bought Cubase Pro and since the beginning of this year have been improving my production skills. This is mainly because I like the way rock music is now going despite swearing at the Brits.
There’s an instrumental fullness to songs like Don’t Break My Heart – how do you arrange these tracks, is there a band involved, or do you program everything electronically?
It’s true I use a lot of tracks. At the moment it’s only me but the intention is to rerecord some parts like drums and bass and maybe keyboard with other musicians. This could be the basis for touring with some better known bands.
Please don’t underestimate the strong drum sounds I have now with some decent plugins. I encourage you all to listen to From You. Don’t Break My Heart is a really good song recorded on a UAD Sphere Microphone.
The vocals and guitars lead with strong melodies, the lyrics feel personal and genuine, yet the mix remains kind of dreamy or muggy – almost shoe-gaze-like. How would you describe the sound or style of your music?
My sound is produced because I am 1980s influenced but use the modern settings on my limiter and mastering. I would say I am classic rock that appeals to every generation, young and old.
Which of the new songs would you recommend first to a brand-new listener who only has time for one, and why?
I would say From You because it has the least tracks and therefore is the best advert for me to get in contact with other musicians to take my music further. It’s really good and very clear what’s going on.
Are you a multi-instrumentalist, and are you self-taught or professionally trained as a musician?
I’ve had guitar lessons in the past but creating songs is my main talent rather than shredding. The editing on Cubase helps with keyboards, the current bass and drum sounds which are actually pretty decent. This question highlights why I need to meet more musicians, take their projects further and have them take my projects further as well.
What can you tell us about the creative process for Love Will Never Die – where did it start, and what’s the story behind it?
The creative process was that it was the second song after I bought my UAD Sphere Microphone. Fabfilter Limiter, BigSky reverb and all the decent plugin effects you can google were bought for this song. Honestly I got all the best plugin effects – Fabfilter EQ, Fabfilter Compressor, Timeless 3 Delay. I pulled out all the stops for this song.
The title Love Will Never Die relates to two distinct situations. The here and now which is the dates and relationships I enjoy but also the potential to get a medical forum mentioned on TV or Radio for ideal medicines. If that happens, my here and now love affairs carry on for eternity. My songs have a big theme of eternity.
You Know Me is a personal favourite, walking the line between melancholy and optimism, creating a hypnotic and memorable space. What was your mindset when writing and recording this, and where do you imagine is the best setting for listeners to connect with it?
If I’m honest, I’m not surprised it’s your favourite as it’s a more recent song this year. Definitely the best setting is for lovers to play it to their partners at the beginning of the night. It’s a great starter to an evening.
How do you achieve balance between the creative freedom and personality of making music, and the more numbers-orientated nature of accounting? Is there any crossover between the two disciplines?
There 100% is crossover. You cannot avoid compliance either in accounts or music. In practice, the top stars are business people. It’s exactly the same – at work I don’t take the stakeholders for fools, in my music, I don’t take the fans for fools and write filler songs. I am good at any job I do. I wore my Romeos Daughter T-shirt in the office today.
What’s your ambition with these songs – where do you hope to take things?
I am into the music more than profit. I honestly believe I can earn my place at the top of the music industry but may need help from talented musicians and producers. Ultimately my goal is to abolish filler songs in the music industry with the influence I have.
Is live performance a big part of your plans, and if so, what would that entail?
Touring with Saxon, Romeos Daughter, Def Leppard or another 80s band.
Is there anything else we should know?
Yes, Laura Keunsburg is going to announce a medical forum this Sunday along with a secure chatroom to her audience thus stopping death in hospitals and war. That’s the God’s honest truth 😊 You Know Me.
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Find Alexander Beresford on LinkedIn & Facebook.
