Alex James are the world’s first Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) fronted rock band based in the North East of England. 28-year-old musician and songwriter Alex James Kennedy lives with the rare but life-limiting muscle wasting condition known as DMD. Yet, he turns his pain into triumph, creating and releasing meaningful music with the sole aim of working in collaboration with the local music scene to raise awareness around the importance of improving accessibility and representation for disabled gig goers, performers, artists, producers and anyone with access needs in the music industry.
In the past, the band achieved what they previously thought impossible, making history by taking to the stage at Independent Sunderland in an electric wheelchair, using a ramp and then having this story broadcast on BBC Look North. This made a great impact at the time and the band gained great traction, being played on multiple radio stations and attending countless interviews.
After taking a break due to a health scare, Alex and his band mark their return with a 4-track EP, ‘The Outcast’, which is a modern take on classic rock, exploring experiences of life and thematically focusing on the idea of being stuck in a bubble and having the urge to break out and figure out one’s place in this ever changing world. The second single from this EP ‘Figure It Out Now’, follows in line with first single ‘Quarantine’ and will hit streaming services on Wednesday 11th March.
As the song title suggests, this track relates to the societal pressure that has people believe that we need to have everything figured out in order to be successful. ‘Figure It Out Now’ takes Alex’s experiences in life and moves from doubt to hope, with the determination that one day he will figure things out, but at his own pace and not because the pressure of society demands it. The recording of this track is unique in its own way, with the halftime changes to the dramatic solo build in the bridge. This song really does keep evolving as it plays and keeps itself interesting without feeling like it is doing too much.
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