Day in the Life of: Alex Bryson (FS Head of Music)

Alex:

“On a distinctly average day in my life I imagine I don’t do anything outrageously exciting. Most days often start with a casual cup of coffee and on the spritely mornings, I go for a run, and on some very unspritely mornings, I barely make it down to my living room. Then, a trip to the library, which could last up to about 5 hours, with only about an hour and a half being productive. I often end up spending a large portion of my time in the library on Logic either making tracks or fine-tuning ideas for FS (especially recently). My computer has been looking a lot like this lately:

After this vague attempt at studying, I often just go back to my flat and bond with my flatmates about how little work we’ve done over a game or 10 of FIFA. If the call to go out is made, it often ends up in a standard night at the VIC, (Editor’s note: this is definitely true; Alex came to the interview with a VIC stamp still on his hand) unless there is literally anything better to do. If the call to go out is not made, the evenings often consist of me overindulging in chocolate (Editor’s note: we’re hoping he means on chocolate rather than in it…) and playing more FIFA. As a fourth year my life rarely gets more interesting than this…”

With that in mind and the slight suspicion that he is being a little modest about his life, we meet Alex in the Library’s Café (a far cry from the glamorous environment he and swarms of other students will be experiencing this coming Saturday evening) to chat Absolut, Tarzan and EDM (electronic dance music – not a drug, as Google reliably informed me).

On the theme of the show itself, Bright Young Things, Alex tells us the music isn’t 1920s-esque as such, but will instead reflect what these people stood for: fun, carefree and upbeat values. In the first half we can expect a gentle start, some deep house to ease us in and then some 60s/70s disco. As we pass through the evening, the music will mirror this; moving chronologically through the decades.

Pretty cool.

To keep the audience’s attention and presence in the second half  (has anyone ever told you leaving half-way through something is rude?) Alex is going for a more angsty, modern, electro-vibe which will take us nicely through to the after-party.

If, like me, you’re worried your mainstream self won’t ‘get’ the music, Alex reassures us that there will be some recognisable hits throughout the evening from bands such as Daft Punk. I’m personally hoping for some Miley…

The after-party looks set to be its usual roaring success with tickets selling out in a matter of hours. Previous FS Head of Music Henry Stanislaw, and FS friends AliMog and John Christian are joining Alex to give us a night we can all remember (or, if it’s really good, one we might not).

With rather a lot riding on him, it does come as a little bit of a shock to hear that he’s only had one full rehearsal (though, to his credit, he’s rushing off to another one just after our interview), but, never fear – Alex tells us he’s been working on the music since June last year.

Keen.

Jokes aside, however – with a record due to be released in March (which will be included in the show), and hopefully a place to do a Masters in Electronic Music Composition at the London College of Music, I can honestly say we’re in safe hands with Alex.

Alex, we’ll see you (and another couple of thousand students, models, sponsors and international press) there. We can’t wait.

Quick Fire:

On-stage regret:

Last year’s Christmas Ball – overdoing it on the free Absolut vodka, drinking from the bottle onstage and using the mic to shout ‘I f**king love you St Andrews,’ then deciding to invite more people up and having to deal with birthday shoutouts… 

Most embarrassing song on iTunes:

Phil Collins’ Tarzan Soundtrack – You’ll Be In My Heart

Go-to party song:

AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It (Tchami Remix) 

The 2014 St Andrews Charity Fashion Show will take place on Lower College Lawn on Saturday 15^th of February. Check out their Website, Facebook and Twitter. Check out Alex’s Facebook page here.

Images courtesy of St Andrews Charity Fashion Show