Musician brings a pop twist to a classical instrument

Written By Coby Gorsin

By Tom Victoria

Alex T. Sanchez reimagines his favorite music with a creative flourish. He is a pop cellist.

The 24-year-old Mexican native, who now resides in Los Angeles, California, savors the personal connection that can be made with contemporary music.

“Personally, I find it much easier to play contemporary pieces," Alex said. “I want to specify what I mean by easy, though. When I say easy, I mean that contemporary music usually has much more of a personal meaning to it, making it much easier to feel and play without needing any music — in contrast to memorizing and performing from a piece of music that has been written to be performed in a specific way.” 

He explained his love of modern music.

“I love playing,” Alex said. “It’s a way to express myself. For me, it’s an inner feeling. More of processing my own emotions and music.”

“I love playing. It’s a way to express myself. For me, it’s an inner feeling. More of processing my own emotions and music.”

He said if a musician is invested in the performance, it will yield the desired results.

“Listeners will connect,” Alex said.

Upon hearing a piece, he knows it’s one he wants to play on the cello.

“I know immediately when I hear a song that I want to cover,” Alex said. “Usually, I can envision what my version is going to sound like within a minute.”

He prefers upbeat tunes to melancholy music.

“I want to make my followers and listeners to dance and smile,” Alex said. “Even though I do love the occasional somber song, for the most part, I love music that's got a groove. As long as my music makes them at least smile, I have done my job.”

He draws inspiration from a variety of musical artists.

“I’m very influenced by Amy Winehouse,” Alex said.

He also cited singers Madonna and Lady Gaga as among his favorites.

“My creativity lies much more in interpreting and performing my own versions of music with lyrics,” Alex said. "Lyrics mean everything to me. However, whenever I collaborate on an original song for cello, I will often add lyrics and work with an actual songwriter to be able to further express myself.”

He recently released his first single “Back to Black,” the cover of the Winehouse song, which is available on all streaming platforms.

Alex also has signed to an agency, ensuring he will be performing regularly.

“One hundred percent do I prefer performing for a live audience,” he said. “I enjoy all of the studio work that I do, especially when it is collaborative. But once I'm on stage, there is just something about getting to show people what I've created. That is the best feeling in this world.”

Alex spends two to three hours a day, five days a week gliding the bow across the strings.

He’s played cello since he was 4.

“I studied at a very young age because my mother was playing it,” Alex said. “I watched her and pretended with a flyswatter and stick.”

Mom got the hint. Alex started playing the actual instrument. Eventually, his mother ceased playing.

“I just never stopped,” Alex said.

His talent was recognized as he matured.

“I have had a few first-place wins throughout the years,” Alex said. “When I was in high school, I was very competitive. I entered a lot of competitions and I won a few.”

Among his live performances was playing music from the animated film “Frozen” on Disney cruises.

Ruminating on life led Alex to start posting covers online at the beginning of the year.

“I was struggling with the concept of time continuing to move forward, and I was finding myself a little bit overwhelmed by life — especially really difficult situations in my life that had happened which I never had the time to process,” he said. “’Back to Black’ by Amy Winehouse was on nonstop repeat at the time because I was really missing one of my exes, and Amy Winehouse's sound and music had completely consumed me. I decided to make a cover of ‘Back To Black’ and post it just to see what people thought. And it became a great success, which then set me up for my creation of a live experience.”

Alex has posted more than 20 performances of reimagined songs. He doesn’t select different pieces for online versus live performances.

“I usually will perform the same music for the most part that I have on my social media, but oftentimes depending on the audience or venue I will play different versions,” he said. “For example, in a big space with a lot of people and energy, I will play the much faster and upbeat versions of even my most sad songs. If I'm playing in a coffee shop for, say, 30 people, I will often play the more acoustic, stripped down version of my music.”

Alex also teaches fitness.

“I love to work out,” he said.

Alex also enjoys hiking and travel.

“I love to explore,” he said.

Alex goes to the source when he needs motivation to play.

“I listen to the music for inspiration,” he said. “On a day I’m not motivated, I’ll just listen to the song. On bad days, I’ll actually record myself.”

Alex inevitably works out the kinks and resumes work.

He advised other musicians to seek motivation when needed.

“Find something that inspires you, speaks to you,” Alex said. “Enjoy the process.”

Coby Gorsin
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