Rising Stars: Meet Alexander Kennedy of Pittsburgh (Voyage Denver Magazine)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Kennedy.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

Music became my passion in high school when I got into the screamo/hardcore scene in Pittsburgh, following bands like White Chapel, Emmure, Dance Gavin Dance, and Chelsea Grin. All through Middle school, I tried different instruments, such as Chello, trumpet, and drums, but never stuck with them too long. Then in high school, I started playing guitar and then switched to Bass Guitar shortly. My friends and I started a screamo band and played our high school’s Rock Club show for about 50 people (Mostly our parents), but we played three original songs, and I was really proud of it. I always knew from high school that music was what I wanted to do in some way, shape or form. At the end of high school, my friend introduced me to dubstep with artists such as excision, Rusko, Caspa, and Skrillex, and I instantly knew this was the music I was meant to be a part of. A year later, in 2012, when I went to Temple University in Philly, I began djing and producing. I went from house parties to bars to playing the door slots on EDM shows over a few years.

Fast forward eight years later, I’ve played shows and festivals all across the country and have performed with artists such as 12th planet, Subtronics, Rusko, Buku, G Jones, Codd Dubz, and many more.

After an exciting and productive year (2021) of releasing several original songs on major labels like Subcardbon Records (Ganja White Nights Label, Subsidia Records (Excisions Label), a 3 track ep on GRVDNCR, as well as a stand out performance at Lost Lands (Excision’s Festival), Alex Kennedy, otherwise known as Brainrack, has made quite the name for himself thus far in the underground bass music scene.

This year (2022), already released, Volume 2 of my Brainwashed all original mix series where I showcase all my unreleased music, A Subsidia Records Release, Fuck Shit Records Release (Hesh & Bommer’s Label), and an entire summer of shows, festivals. For the past four years, I have been with my Manager Josh Zwirzina (Unlocked Presents). We have grown so much together and are now seeing the progress that we have always hoped for the project, and are trying to keep our heads down and keep it moving forward.

I have had one other manager during my career, but other than that, I’ve built this from nothing but a dream, hard work, and passion. I’ve sacrificed and continued to sacrifice what I need to make my dream come true. Of course, I have plenty of friends and peers who have helped and been there for me along the way, but a piece of advice that I could give is that no one will do this for you, and focus on what you can control.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a reasonably smooth road?

I don’t believe anyone’s road is always smooth or even meant to be smooth. I think the struggles are what define us in how we approach and handle them, ultimately making us who we are on the other side of those struggles.
In short, some of the obstacles I have faced are learning to work with many different creatives/personalities, these always have some sort of lesson or situation to grow from. Learning how to play the game of our industry and not let its realities get you too discouraged or throw you off your path. Everything costs money, even just putting a song out. This is a constant battle as a starving artist trying to make it.

Lastly, learning how to keep your art as a passion and stay in love with it while it becomes your job, there are going to be many things you need to do other than just making music or creating art, which can wear you down, but finding a balance and how to approach your career to keep everything fresh and keep the passion and drive alive.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am a Music Producer and DJ, although in today’s industry, you must be about ten other things to do this, graphic designer, marketer, streamer, etc.

I am known for my original music, which falls under EDM, Bass Music, or Dubstep. However, my music spans many different genres.

Along with my original music, I am becoming known for my electrifying stage presence when I perform! From screaming at the top of my lungs on the mic, crowd surfing, and huge jumps off of the DJ booth, I try to lay it all on the table every time I perform, whether that’s for ten people or thousands.
While there is so much music and competition these days, I believe that my performances play a significant role in what sets me apart!