Aleks Grey‘s newest single “Unstoppable” is an energetic pop anthem with similarities to One Republic. This is the second single (after “Feel Alive” in May 2015) Aleks has released from his upcoming EP “Soul” (coming October 2015).
Aleks, a Norwegian singer/songwriter, got his start performing in musical theater with roles in Rent, West Side Story, and Les Miserables. Being onstage helped Aleks overcome his shyness. Aleks founded the band “The Last Province” with a group of friends. The group played several festivals before Aleks moved to Liverpool and ventured into his solo project in 2013.
Recently, Aleks answered some of my questions about his single “Unstoppable” and his experience with performing.
The meaning of the song is quite simple, though told through metaphors.
It’s about two people who are willing to go out of their way for the other, and that in the end, it will all be okay, and the belief in that they make each other stronger.
“They can crush my bones and do what they please, but as long as I got you, they won’t bring me to my knees.” -from the pre-chorus of the song.
To put it simply, together we are unstoppable, no matter what the world throws our way.
[Tweet “…together we are unstoppable, no matter what the world throws our way. @aleksgreymusic”]
What about the process of writing it?
I started with a piano riff, a chord progression and built it from there. I didn’t take long before I had all the parts, and knew where I wanted to go with the song.
Then I made a demo of it, and sat down with my co-producer Freddy Halvorsen, and we took it from there really. Then once we had a sheet, I took it to my band and we put the final pieces together.
I feel that most my songs kind of “write themselves”. I can go with an idea in my head for weeks, but when I finally sit down, it just falls into place.
I read that you had stage fright before beginning musical theatre. What advice would you offer to young musicians who are afraid to play and sing for an audience?
Stage fright is a common thing. I’ve loved to play and sing my whole life. As a kid you have fewer boundaries and a big stage is more of an opportunity than something that is frightening.
I as a kid loved to be on a stage, make jokes, make a fool of myself, whatever it took, just to make other people laugh and have a good time. As you grow up, I think you kinda loose that childishness about you, and things get scarier and you are more afraid of making a fool of yourself.
Though I got nervous playing piano or guitar in front of people, singing was the worst. Though I’ve loved to sing my whole life, it took quite a while for me to actually sing in front of people. I think my best advice is to just let go. Just go up on that stage and sing.
If you’re like me, you’re quite terrible the first 10-15 times. I did NOT sing well at all.. And I’ve heard recordings and seen videos and it was horrible. And I also remember being mad and frustrated after gigs, cause my voice cracked and it shivered and nothing went as planed.
But I remember we did a gig, like Battle of The Bands, and I just told myself to let go, sing, have fun with my friends and do what I love to do. After that things got better, my voice got stronger, and with that I got more secure and got better confidence on stage. I still get nervous, and before some gigs I’m a wreck. But once I get up on that stage, it’s just fun, it’s the best feeling in the world.
So do as much as you can, sing whenever you can. You have to find that drive within yourself, and then you have to let go, and do what you love.
do as much as you can, sing whenever you can. You have to find that drive within yourself, and then you have to let go, and do what you love.”
“Unstoppable” is available on Itunes. Connect with Aleks Grey via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Soundcloud.
