“Off the top of my head.. I think the Blues probably did a lot for civil rights back in the 60's.  You had all these young white British and American kids looking up to the old black Chicago (by way of Mississippi, usually) bluesmen and emulating them.  It hopefully helped bring the cultures together. Although it is worth noting that there was a lot of theft of songs going on around then too by white people from the black folks who started it all.”

Alex Beraldo: Moving On…Stones Country

Alex Beraldo is a Canadian singer/songwriter and guitar player. The longtime musician and former front man of Toronto’s blues rock outfit The Breaks, is a road worn solo artist and guitar builder. A veteran of his craft, his music is a modern take on folk, blues, roots music and rock n roll. Tales of travelling, drinking, loving, losing, living, and laughing are just some of the topics he covers. Also sometimes he sings about Bigfoot. He has toured Canada multiple times and has released five albums solo, and five more with his various bands.                          (Photo: Alex Beraldo, a Canadian singer/songwriter and guitar player)

Alex’s new album “Moving On” is a full length folk/blues project that features nine original songs written by Beraldo, packed with sounds that range from ‘Stones country’, to chugging folk travelling songs, a few talking blues numbers, laid back grooves, some Latin flare and some New Orleans-esque blues. Moving On is Alex Beraldo’s sixth independent solo release, and was recorded at Lincoln County Social Club with Juno award wining engineer John Dinsmore. Moving On will be released on all platforms on October 31st.

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Special Thanks: Sarah French Publicity 

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you? 

I think it's taught me to improvise, roll with the punches and prioritize FEEL. Not just in music but in life. I hope that makes sense.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What characterizes your music philosophy? Where does your lyrics creative drive come from?

I've always had a philosophy of simplicity. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel with my tunes, I'm just chasing that perfect song. A few chords, a bit of blues and a bit of twang, and lyrics that people can identify with. I haven't found it yet. 

Why do you think that Canadian Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think that's just the power of the Blues, I'm not sure Canada has much to do with it.  I think the Blues has a devoted following anywhere that it's been played, which is everywhere by now.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I like the sound of an old record. Recording wasn't so refined before about the mid 70's and you can hear it. There's a deeper authenticity in the sound. And the musicians had to be way better too because you couldn't just fix it later with overdubs or punching in. That being said i think there's still great music being played today, you just have to look past that crap that's in the mainstream, but once you do you discover all sorts of great artists that are doing really well for themselves.

“I’ve always had a philosophy of simplicity. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel with my tunes, I'm just chasing that perfect song. A few chords, a bit of blues and a bit of twang, and lyrics that people can identify with. I haven't found it yet.” (Photo: Alex Beraldo)

What moment changed your life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Musically speaking… probably my first gig that went really well. What a rush.  Another highlight for me was learning to build guitars. I spent a year out in a tiny seaside town on the west coast learning the craft of luthiery. That was a turning point for me and I felt like the care and time that goes into something like that was an element I wanted to start incorporating into my songwriting.  

What is the impact of Blues music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Off the top of my head.. I think the Blues probably did a lot for civil rights back in the 60's. You had all these young white British and American kids looking up to the old black Chicago (by way of Mississippi, usually) bluesmen and emulating them.  It hopefully helped bring the cultures together. Although it is worth noting that there was a lot of theft of songs going on around then too by white people from the black folks who started it all.  

How can a band/musician truly turn the blues into a commercial and popular genre of music for the today's audience?

Just write a great song. Great music transcends genres and industry and everything else. 

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(Photo: Alex Beraldo)