Music from the Hill: Alec Vinsant, the man and his music

Alec, we are really looking forward to having you play at Java City on September 14th. Can you tell us a bit about your personal and musical history?

Well, I am 19 years old (20 on August 1), and will be a junior at WKU this fall. I was born and raised here in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and was homeschooled most of my life. My senior year of high school I went to Anchored Christian School. I am active in sports. I have played soccer since I was five for parks and rec, basketball from ages 11-15 for my home school team (the Trailblazers). I have a black belt in kungfu and I have been active in that since age 8. I am a biology major/psych minor at WKU and I am currently deciding on a career in homeland security or physical therapy. I started playing the guitar when I was 6. I took classical lessons from age 6-15. At age 16, I began writing my own songs and I currently have written around 25-30 songs. My inspiration to not give up the guitar came from my grandfather, who used to perform country music with a band. My whole family, both on my mom and dad’s sides, are musically inclined. I play the guitar, sing, and play drums.

How did you get started playing in public?

I took classical lessons since I was 6 and every year we would have a recital. All the students would show what they had learned up to that point for their families and friends. These recitals were the first performances for me playing guitar. January 2007, I wrote my first original song and that was when I started taking an interest in performing live. The first time I played my own music live, somewhere other than at a recital, was at a formal banquet in Owensboro, Kentucky in front of friends. Then, along came another banquet, this time in Bowling Green. I then played for my third time at my summer camp’s talent show for 350 people and showcased a different original song. Soon after I started playing at the Connextion coffee house in Bowling Green KY pretty regularly, I began playing at coffee shop venues around the city.

Who has been an influence for you as a musician?

When I first started writing music, I didn’t really have one particular artist that I looked to for influence in writing. I tried to be original, but I gradually became a fan of John Mayer. I tried to create that same style but it didn’t always seem to work. I then found Andy Mckee’s videos on YouTube about 2 years ago and fell in love with that style of playing. I’ve now written 3 instrumental songs based off of that same style. As for my lyrical music, I still look to John Mayer and also some Howie Day, Dave Matthews, and Jack Johnson

Your music seems to be a mix of instrumental and contemporary folk, but how do you define your sound?

Honestly I don’t really know what to call my sound. I can see the style you described in some of my music. I want to say acoustic/ rock/ pop but it doesn’t always turn out that way. Each of my songs has a different vibe. I try to make it that way though.

I know you write a lot of your music, where to you get the ideas for your songs?

I do write a lot of my own music and the ideas just come to me. Sometimes a thought will pop in my head, a light turns on, and I know that thought can become a song. Other times I just think of certain topics, sit down and write words according to those topics. Most of the time though, I come up with the music first and then I figure out what kind of words would match the sound. Most of my songs have to deal with life and various issues we face. I like to write down to earth songs, nothing you can’t understand.

I see you play at a large number of church-related events. How does your faith play a role in your song-writing?

Well, I am a Christian and I thank God that I have my talents. I typically don’t mix my music with worship because of my belief on that subject. I do play at the Connextion pretty regularly, but only for their coffee house related events. Again, I am a Christian and because I am, I do have morals I uphold and that hinders me from playing in bar venues.

Tell us about your band?

Well, I have been in two different bands over the years. When I first started writing music, I wanted to add more instruments to the mix. I found a drummer, electric guitarist, and bassist. After a few summer jam sessions that fell apart. I tried with another group and we played at the connextion coffee house a few times. Those were the first performances I had ever had with a band, but we eventually split as well. I recently got involved with a third band who are friends of mine. This group of guys has some real talent in many ways. We haven’t officially started practicing regularly, but we want to start playing around town soon. We just played our first show on June, 28th at Starbucks on Campbell Lane. We had a great time and a great turnout of 80 people.

Where do you want go with your music?

I love writing music and performing, and I want to make my music known. However, making it big comes with the whole moral issues with life on the road. I would love to play live the rest of my life around town in other cities, just as long as I can pull in a crowd. When I perform, I don’t really get nervous, I get excited before I play. I love a big crowd. The more people there are the less nervous and more excited I am. I do want to record my songs. Ever since I wrote my first song, I have dreamed of holding a finished cd in my hand of my first and other songs. Playing at coffee shops is my current position and there is nothing wrong with that, but I do long for bigger performances.

Are you working on a CD?

Yes, I have just started recording. I had been doing some recording in the past with my second band but when we broke up we never finished the tracks. I decided to record my own songs as a solo project and a friend of mine, Michael Nicholes, has the recording equipment. There is no date set on a when it will be finished, but I hope to see it through.

Thanks Alec!

About the author: Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and associate professor at Western Kentucky University where he handles bookings for musical acts in University Libraries, Java City coffeehouse. Jack has also been a professional musician since 1969 and performs with a celtic quartet called Watersprite. Visit him at MySpace/shadowdancerjack or on Facebook.