South Florida Indie Music Artist Talent Support Developers & Musical Agency Management

01 - Artist Name & Location = alchalant. Detroit MI

02 - How did the project come into existence? = The tale of alchalant's culmination is a long one. I will try to summarize efficiently.

I (Alex Matijow) started a punk rock band called Nonchalant at the young age of 15 with local Detroit musicians Bryan Reed and Lyle Hayman. By the end of the good 3 year run I acquired the moniker 'alchalant' from our peers. The name started as heckling. From a few punk rock traditionalists in the local scene that did not appreciate our blend of melodic punk.

Since, I have embraced the name, and used it as the title of my debut solo acoustic record in 2004. I've also gone by the stage name in other bands I've been featured in since, including a metal band called Glutton For Punishment (2005-2006) featuring Bryan Reed of my first band Nonchalant on drums. It was in this group that I played alongside Todd Errion (of the current alchalant lineup) on dual lead guitarists.

Upon achieving my Bachelor of Music from Wayne State University I began recording my catalog of music in my home studio with plans to release a 21 song full length record. Production started in the summer of 2010.

In fall of 2011 I caught up with Chris Hobbs, a drummer I knew from my childhood at the famous Telway Hamburger System, a staple of our hometown, Madison Heights MI. He had just returned to the Detroit area from Minnesota, had heard my music on the internet and was interesting in playing for me.

With a drummer in hand for the first time in years, I contacted Todd Errion to fulfill bass guitar duties. They quickly learned my repertoire from home recordings. It was then, that I decided to postpone the release of a full length record and quickly finished eight songs, promising my fans the record would be released before the end of 2011. We delivered the record on December 16th 2011. The Phoenix Cafe of Hazel Park MI hosted our release party. The eight songs included on the record represent a different times in my life, each sounds completely different than the next. I would describe each of the songs as a different color of the rock music spectrum. Each song floats around the genre of punk rock, but includes elements of metal, hardcore, popular music, and singer/songwriter.

03 - Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it? = alchalant 

• Alex Matijow: Vocals Guitar
• Todd Errion: Bass Vocals
• Chris Hobbs: Drums

04 - How would you describe your sound/genre? = Our record is a rock and roll roller coaster. No 2 songs have the same style. It is primarily punk rock influenced but incorporates many other elements of metal, jazz, popular rock music, etc.

05 - What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have? = I (Alex Matijow) studied modern guitar with mentor/producer Eric DiBerardo from 1999-2004.

I achieved a Bachelor of Music (with concentration in music production and jazz guitar) from Wayne State University in 2010 under the counsel of Tom Court, Dennis Tini, and Steve Carryer... To name a few.

Todd Errion has played guitar basically his entire life as well. He has played in many hard rock and metal bands including Glutton For Punishment where we first met from 2005-2006.

Chris Hobbs has played drum kit ever since he saw the movie That Thing You Do. He idolized the drummer in that film portrayed by Tom Everett Scott.

06 - Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album? = I (Alex Matijow) wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered all eight songs on the new self titled record. The record features 7 bonus tracks recorded by my first band Nonchalant in 2002 by producer Eric DiBerardo. These tracks were never officially pressed and are included as an homage to my songwriting roots.

07 - Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music? = THE biggest influence cannot be defined.

I can however describe the moment I knew I wanted to be become a professional performer. It was upon hearing Blink 182s live record 'The Mark Tom and Travis Show' for the first time. It was a band that I did not particularly like until hearing their live performance. There will always be a place in my heart for that band, and how they sparked my ambition to become a performer and songwriter.

I've been surrounded by music since I can remember. As a child I owned the Disney Soundtracks of Lion King and Aladdin. I knew all the words. I loved catchy melodies. At the young age of 8, I remember my father introducing me to The Clash, and my mother introducing me to Nine Inch Nails. I cite Joe Strummer and Trent Reznor as probably the two biggest musical influences in my life as I have been familiar with them since such a young age.

Also. The first rock song I remember hearing is The Ballad of Dwight Fry by legendary Detroit rocker Alice Cooper. I still have the cassette of his record Love It Death, stole it from my Dad a long time ago. My parents brought me to see Alice Cooper live at the age of 3. I do not remember the show. I do however remember meeting him at Harmony House for a signing earlier that day. Dad has told me that they wrote about me in the newspaper, quoting Alice 'you better wear earplugs kid!'.

08 - What advice would you give to others starting out? = Never give up. If your band quits on you (as my first band Nonchalant had) keep going. Try to become friends with as many local musicians as possible. Play open mic nights to develop contacts. Try to befriend the press.

Your chops will get you no where if you do not have well developed business and social skills.

09 - Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music? = Check out our homepage at www.alchalant.com

We have links to our Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube accounts.

(We would appreciate a quick click on the corresponding 'Like', 'Follow', and 'Subscribe' buttons!)

There are also links to our distribution outlets for purchasing the new record, iTunes, CDbaby, etc.

There are a few songs available for streaming audio on the homesite.

We offer a free download of our single 'Control' upon registering for our mailing list!

10 - If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with? = I would love to play at the legendary Cobo Hall in Detroit jamming with the spirits of Lennon, Cobain, and Joe Strummer.

11 - What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole? = The greatest experience has been getting the new band together and playing rock shows once again after so long. There is nothing like the natural high of performing for screaming youngsters.

12 - Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about? = The new self titled record 'alchalant' is now available for download on iTunes, and physical purchase on CDbaby.

• We are headlining Paycheck's Lounge in Hamtramck MI on 1/28/12.
• We are headlining The Phoenix Cafe in Hazel Park MI on 2/4/12.
• We are headlining The Ritz in Warren MI on 3/3/12.
• We are currently planning a summer midwest tour.
• We are planning an early fall trip to NYC.
• More details on upcoming shows at www.alchalant.com

13 - Where do you see yourselves or hope to be in about 5 years? = We will have successfully resurrected Detroit ROCK City. We will be traveling the world playing our music. We will still be drinking. We will still be rocking. We will still be playing everyones favorite songs.