Alexander takes Bloomington experience on the road

By day, Paul Alexander is an average 23 year old, plowing through his first job after college. Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, he teaches social studies at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. During those eight hours, Alexander has to assume the role of a feet-on-the-ground, no-nonsense educator. But when the last bell rings, Alexander's work has just begun. Instead of driving home and calling it a day, he loads up his 12-string guitar and heads off to the local nightclubs and bars in pursuit of a dream: to land a recording contract in New York City. \nAlexander, who is moving to the Big Apple this fall, started out inconspicuously enough. He grew up in Indianapolis, among a family who encouraged him and his younger brother to play music. During his time at Lawrence Central High School, Alexander and some friends formed a band, playing at school talent shows and a few parties. Alexander came to IU with plans to major in music, but decided on education instead. He continued to hone his musical skills on the side, playing guitar in a local band called Tintern Abbey. The band garnered a following of Bloomington fans, playing covers and a few of Alexander's own songs. During Alexander's sophomore year, Tintern Abbey held auditions for a new drummer, and David Golden, then a freshman majoring in business, landed the job. The two developed a rock-solid friendship during the next three years. Although Tintern Abbey broke up last year after Alexander and another band member graduated, Golden and Alexander remained close -- so close, in fact, that Golden is now managing Alexander's solo career. \n"I'm not just managing some random guy," says Golden, now a senior, who books shows and events for Alexander. "He's a friend and I just want to see him succeed so badly. It's added a new dimension to our friendship."\nAlexander and Golden have made the switch from bandmates and best friends to manager and client without problems. Golden says balancing constructive criticism with trust and honesty has been key. \n"We kind of make a believer out of each other," Golden says. "We motivate each other." \nGolden, who first mentioned the idea of a solo career to his friend, was still surprised when Alexander asked him to be his manager. \n"At first, I was really taken aback," he says. "But then I thought, 'this could really work.'"\nAlexander, who describes his music as folk rock, began performing on his own in September, playing once or twice a week in Indianapolis. He has been well-accepted, playing regularly at the Rock Lobster and Birdie's Place. He has also returned to Bloomington, playing most recently at Kilroy's Sports. \n"I just kind of feel like the college theme fits my music really well," he says. "People are supportive of music (in Bloomington)."\nWhile Alexander realizes people may compare him to two popular solo guitarists who leapt to stardom last summer, he says he's not concerned. \n"I'm not Jack Johnson. I'm not John Mayer," he says. "I like them, but I've got my own thing." \nFans of his music agree. \n"He has a unique style," says Keith Hancock, who went to high school with Alexander and has been to many of his performances in Indianapolis. "He's just so laid back and confident. He's just got a presence."\nBeing a former bandmate, Golden says he can truly appreciate Alexander's music. \n"I don't know if I could manage music I didn't appreciate," he says. "He's really found his range and his sound, and he knows what works for him."\nPart of what works for Alexander is adding a little dash of on-stage comedy to the mix. \n"I always say my music is a cross between a music show and stand-up," he says. "I like to interact with the audience. I'm a performer, not just a musician." \nAside from performing in front of an enthusiastic crowd, Alexander's favorite aspect of his solo career is being a songwriter. He admires the lyrical ingenuity of U2 and the Counting Crows. Like them, he prefers playing songs that have personal meaning. \n"I spend a lot of time on my lyrics," Alexander says. "It's deep music. I definitely think you could listen to one of my songs three times and get something different out of it each time." \nVocally, Alexander says he doesn't compare himself to anyone. \n"I've been told my voice sounds a little like the Ben Folds (Five)," he says. "People have been digging the fact that I sound like myself, and I think that's going to be really good for me." \nGolden finds Alexander's music original. \n"One of his biggest advantages is that he really doesn't sound like anyone on the radio right now," Golden says. \nHe should know. During the past three years, Golden, who is originally from Long Island, N.Y., has interned with Jive and Sony record labels. Last summer, Golden interned with Peter Malkin Management, which manages the careers of artists like Vanessa Carlton. He will return to the company for a permanent position this summer. \nBefore making a big move himself, Alexander will play in San Francisco and L.A. in April. He will finish the school year at Arsenal and then continue to play in Indianapolis. \n"As much as I love teaching, I figure I'm only 23 for a while," he says. "Mick Jagger can pull it off, but I'm not Mick Jagger."\nBecause of Golden's pending job obligations, he and Alexander aren't sure how much longer they'll be able to work together. Alexander plans to record a CD when he finds time. What happens after that, he says, is up to fate -- and a little bit of luck. \n"It's really a matter of being in the right place at the right time," he says. "There's 100 people out there more talented than me, but they don't take the risk."\nGolden says he hopes his work with Alexander will give him a jump start into the music business.\n"I'm really excited to see where this goes," Golden says. "I'm his manager, but I'm his friend first. It's hard, but I'd like to think I've done alright so far." \nAs for Alexander, he plans to continue entertaining audiences. \n"I don't want to be a career rock star, but I would love to put out a really good album," he says. "And if that's all I do, then that's fine. And even if it doesn't work out, at least I can say I tried."\nTo find out more about Paul Alexander, including upcoming shows, email paulalexandermusic@hotmail.com.