Music has always been in Alex Gardner’s blood. After taking piano lessons at the age of five, he quit them after a year because he just knew “if music sounds right then it has to be right”. He bought his first guitar at the age of 10 and six years later set out on the career he knew was the only one for him.
Now 18, Gardner is breaking into the big time, his natural talent having already seen him support household names like Paolo Nutini and Mika. With his debut single I’m Not Mad, set for release this month, the young Scot is clearly enjoying the limelight.
“Writing music is obviously an amazing process, then all of a sudden you get to the cool part. I’m on tv, I’m on the radio,” he said.
Though his musical ability is undoubted, many have questioned whether or not he has the experience to write the lyrics that will support his well-crafted tunes.
“It’s a question I get asked a lot but I’ve had experiences,” he countered. “When I was 16 I moved down to London. But I’m not going to lie, most of my songs are about girls.
Leaving school as soon as he could was a brave move, and one that his parents needed convincing was wise, but Gardner was convinced he knew what was best for him.
“I left school, I packed my bags and I knew I wanted to do music,” he revealed.
“I just kind of figured I’ve got more of a chance in London than I do in Edinburgh because Edinburgh is a small city. So I moved down there, I was there for about five months and in the fifth month I met a record producer.”
Gardner says he hasn’t experienced the cynical music industry people warned him about and said he has enjoyed every minute of his journey so far. With his single, which he performed exclusively for STV, set to storm the charts, he may be confident, but he’s not mad.
