Matt Alber Interview

You can read all about the next big thing Matt Alber in our September issue of V-Rag, but there's so much to talk about we couldn't fit it all in! Here's a V-Rag Blog exclusive, the full interview with this dashing Southern talent.

MATT ALBER
Story by John Britton
Photo by Paul Noblin

V-Rag has a serious man-crush on Matt Alber. We were first seduced a few months ago by the goose bump-inducing video to what has now become his signature song – the luscious, melancholic and achingly beautiful "End of the World" – which features Alber being romanced in a barber-shop and ends with a dreamy kiss to melt the most cynical gay heart. The seduction continued with the exploration of his beautiful debut album, Hide Nothing – an arresting collection of deeply personal songs that speak to the collective heart. And now we’ve actually had a long chat with the man (conducted by phone, from his car, by the side of the road, no less) and found him to be sweet, humble and disarmingly funny, we’re ready to take him home to meet Mom.

Alber’s debut is the culmination of a journey that has seen two brushes with reality TV fame for the Wichita-born singer (a brief appearance on Star Search and a never-made-it-past-concept show called American Pride, upon which Alber was slated to be a major contestant) and a far more rewarding five-year stint as a soprano with renowned male chorale group Chanticleer; the latter including two Grammy awards. “That was trippy!” laughs Alber. “I had visions of us collecting the award on stage next to Mariah, but the classical awards are given out during a commercial break. We all got certificates. I still have mine in a drawer somewhere…”

After American Pride failed to launch, Alber turned inwards and began to write songs with his musical partner, Jeff Crerie. The results can be heard on Hide Nothing. Comparisons with another openly-gay artist, Rufus Wainwright, are obvious and immediate – especially on tracks like "End of the World". “It’s quite a compliment, and I’m a huge fan of his” says Alber. “To be compared to a visionary like that, to think that people are likening me to him… that’s incredible”. But Hide Nothing is more direct than Wainwright’s often oblique approach. The album offers up hope alongside its despair, joy with its sadness – it’s a true celebration of the cruel beauty of love. It’s lovely to hear such deep, emotive tunes sung with free use of masculine pronouns, although Alber maintains that this is an album about life and love in all its forms. “Being gay is only one part of who I am; of course my experiences have shaped the music on this album but ultimately this is a record about the shared experience of love.”

One thing that becomes more and more apparent during our chat is Alber’s commitment to community – particularly youth. Just last year he found himself teaching an after-school music program to 6th graders at an LA public school. “We had to put on a show”, recalls Alber, “and the kids wanted to do Dreamgirls, and I was like, ‘OK, that’s fine if you want to perform other people’s songs… but what about writing your own show?’. They looked at me like I was nuts. So I told them how easy it was, just write about your day. Blank stares. I asked them what they had for lunch, and they told me they didn’t eat lunch because the food in the cafeteria was gross, the chicken was cold and greasy, that kind of stuff. So I pulled out my Mac book and started this basic R&B beat and just started making up rhymes about cold funky chicken legs. It sounded like Destiny's Child. They looked at me with stars in their eyes and they were hooked!” The result was an original show called Junior High School Musical, and it’s clear from Alber’s tone and the way he reminisces that this is something dear to his heart. “It’s so vital for kids to be able to find their own voice”, says Alber. “It’s important for me to be able to encourage that. Plus, I got to crack the whip a little, like Debbie Allen in Fame…”

This connection to youth has also seen Alber get deeply involved with not-for-profit organization LA Youth Network (LAYN), which takes in homeless youth. Christmas 2008 saw the iTunes release of a cover of The Roches’s "Star of Wonder", with all proceeds going to the charity. "Many of these kids are gay, lesbian or transgender who flee from abusive homes and schools”, says Alber. “They arrive by bus, they hitch-hike, they do whatever they can to get away and land here with nothing. There are an estimated 10,000 kids on the streets of this city, and only 2000 shelter beds. LAYN is more than a band-aid or a hand-out; they provide real homes, one-on-one social workers and even send these kids to college. Most of us have always had a roof over our heads. These kids just want a safe place to start their lives." We talk about this further, and Alber’s belief in education to end discrimination stands out strong. “It’s great that all this money is being raised to overturn Prop 8, and I fully support that, but what I’d really like to see is some of that cash go towards educating high school kids. What’s more effective, trying to change the mind of a middle-aged right-winger with years of prejudice behind them, or educating the open mind of an 11 year old? Gay shouldn’t be a bad word, not today. All the kids in my class knew I was gay, but it wasn’t my defining characteristic and we worked together and respected each other as people.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Alber is deeply committed to his work with GLBT seniors singing group, Forever Young Chorale. We urge you to check out the videos of Matt and the group on Youtube, as they really are a pleasure. “Closing the age gap in the gay community is our key mission” says Alber. “Gay seniors don’t have the same experience as straight seniors, families and grandchildren. One day, hopefully anyway, I’ll be 80 and gay and it’s so cool hanging out with friends who are 40 years older than me and sharing their experience of the world”. V-Rag is curious to know what vocal numbers a thirty-something guy and a group of over 60s perform. “Tracy Chapman’s "Give Me One Reason", some Earth, Wind and Fire, Franz Ferdinand, LCD Soundsystem’s "Daft Punk is Playing at My House". You know, the usual…”

Alber is particularly excited about his next venture - a collaboration with electronica DJ and producer Morgan Page, who has remixed "End of the World" into a dreamy, ambient piece that beautifully showcases Alber’s vocals. V-Rag heard an exclusive cut of the track, and it’s just lovely. Alber is equally happy with the results; “It really takes the song in a completely different direction”. This could be the track that pushes his unique talent into the mainstream, and we certainly hope that happens.

That said, it seems that Matt Alber is exactly where he wants to be in his career. “I’m kind of glad the Star Search thing didn’t take off”, he says of his brief flirtation with reality TV, and the journey that could have sent him on. “My music has taken a completely different direction since then – one I want it to go in”.

So, no regrets about not being the new David Cook? “Not at all”, laughs Alber. “Besides, my challenger on the show was this fabulous African American woman with a crazy orange afro belting out ‘Lady Marmalade’. There’s just no competing with that!”