[ theogony: apollo's information ]
❝
You are what brings the music to life ... and there is absolutely something special about that.
❞
The End
of a Legend?
Why it's time for Alex Hart's final bow and what comes next.
T oday, I got the unique opportunity to sit down with a big name in the music industry: none other than Alexandros Hart, solo artist and international heartthrob, whose vast mastery of everything from rock to R&B to soulful acoustics has swept this enigmatic young man to stardom in his short five year career. With three triple-platinum albums and eight Top 40 singles in both the UK and the US, it's hardly a wonder why rumours of Hart's sudden retirement are causing a stir, and why I set out looking for answers from the man himself.
We sit down in the corner of a cosy little cafe that the musician chose himself, a small family-owned shop that has been Hart's favourite haunt for buckling down with a warm coffee and writing out his next hit at this very same table. When we walk in, Hart dressed to the nine's in a form-fitting, dashing three-piece by Armani that brings an enchanting brightness to his sky-blue eyes, he greets every employee by name before pulling out my chair for me (ever the gentleman) and sitting opposite with a warm, inviting smile.
Mr Hart, thank you so much for meeting me here today.
Alexandros Hart: It's a pleasure to be here. And please, call me Alex.
Alex, then. Now, for any of our new readers or those that haven't turned on a radio in the past five years, [He laughs], your first album released in 2004, Illuminate, went gold in its first month on the shelves and your latest album, Immortalise, has made triple-platinum since its release this summer. Tell me honestly now, what is all that fame like for a new name in the business?
A: Oh, that's good. You're getting into it now, 'the biz.' [He laughs again] No, I think - it would definitely be a lie to say it isn't a great deal of fun, you know, when I travel overseas and hear one of my songs playing overhead in a shopping centre or something like that. But I think like anyone would tell you, you just write something you hope people will listen to and enjoy, and if they do, that's good. That's great - and that it reaches people across the globe, that's a wonderful feeling, yeah.
And it seems like you write something for everyone, don't you? From upbeat songs that are good for a night at the club to the more heartfelt songs that've set women - and some men, I'm sure - swooning. I'll even admit a track or two from Immortalise brought a couple tears to my eyes.
A: I would like to personally apologise for any spontaneous bouts of fainting or ill-advised dancing in public. Red is a lovely colour on you, by the way.
Oh, well, thank you. Now, many of your songs ➸
OOC
PB: Bradley James
Journal: incendo
Name: Faith
Timezone: PST
Plurk: varooooom
Layout: Layouttesst
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follow the theme of telling the truth and love lost, setting out a path forward but honouring your past. There's a sweetness and a sadness to it, and I think many fans, myself included, would like to know what inspires you to write about these matters of the heart? Is there someone out there that left you waiting?
A: I have my muses, absolutely. You draw from what you know, that's the easiest to sing about because you've felt it and you know what it's about. It means nothing if you don't believe in it.
'You draw from what you know,' so you find home in a thunderstorm and curse the messenger of ill fortune - these, of course, being lyrics from your songs?
A: [He laughs again, wiping at his eyes before answering] Doesn't everyone know someone like that? A, ah, friend, well-meaning, more or less, that says things you don't always want to hear and is just generally a pain, but you can't get rid of them? There's a bit of me in all of my songs, yeah.
Which brings us to my next that I'm sure is on everybody's mind - is there anyone you're sweet on at the moment?
A: Are you asking me if I'm single, Elizabeth?
No, of course not - well, yes, but not like that -
A: [He laughs] No, I'm not currently seeing anyone.
So there's no one special in your life?
A: There is. Of course there is. There's you. [A beat, and he chuckles lightly] Not like that - though it would certainly be my pleasure - but, all of you. My fans, and the people that have supported me throughout my years. You are what brings the music to life, I would be nothing without you. And there is absolutely something special about that.
Wait - did you hear that? I think that was the sound of more swooning. [He laughs] Well, that is one of the many things that has kept you at the top of the charts as a fan favourite, aside from
your musical talent and beautiful voice, of course. Your love and adoration for your fans has always made us feel - well, special. So for that, on behalf of your loyal followers, thank you.
A: Thank you, Liz.
All right, I guess that leaves only the big question. In the past few weeks, word has leaked across the public forum hinting towards the possible end of your musical career. No one seems to know where it all started, but it's spread like wildfire across blogging fansites like Tumblr and LiveJournal, and even had the trending hashtags of #fallingstar and #brokenharted - spelt as your last name, naturally - on Twitter. So please, set the public at ease. Say it isn't so.
A: Ah, I'm sorry to say, it actually is so. I know, I know, that's horrible. I've probably just lost a couple thousand followers on Twitter. [He laughs quietly] In
all seriousness, it is something I've considered for some time now. As soon as I wrap up the Setting Sun tour in Hawaii, that'll be it for me.
A good place to end it all, I think. You can catch some waves afterwards on the tears of your fans. [He laughs] If not performing on a stage, is there something else you'll be taking up in its stead?
A: Yes. I'll actually be going to work for my father.
Corporate titan, Julian Keravnos, right? [He chuckles to himself - I wonder if there's an inside joke I missed. Tweet your theories to me at @elizabethf]
A: The very same. I can't say exactly what I'll be doing just yet for legal reasons, but change is coming, and I know that this is the right path for me right now.
Right now. Does that mean we might see you back on the charts again some day?
A: Maybe! I'm definitely not opposed to the idea. There's a beauty and a life in music that you can't find anywhere else. It will always be a part of me, so - who knows?
Well, I know that millions of people, myself included, will be holding out hope for that day. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans as your parting words?
A: Um ... I guess, simply: 'goodbye for now, my sweet ambrosia, until we meet again.'
A lovely nod to This Tireless Heart, the last track on Immortalise.
A: Yes, just plagiarised myself a bit there. [He laughs] Don't tell the record label.
Many of the songs are about yearning for home, and following the light of tomorrow. Was it intended, then, as your farewell to the industry?
A: That, and I suppose you could call it my final love note to the fans. I truly do mean it when I say
you lot are my everything, and I love you all dearly.
And we, you, Alex. Thank you, for everything.
A: Thank you again, Elizabeth.
You heard it here first, ladies and gentlemen. It may be the end of a short but bright flame, but this is certainly not the last the world will see of Alexandros Hart. Be sure to pick up your copy of Immortalise, and buy your tickets to Setting Sun now before you lose your chance for this star to light up your sky. ❦
STATS
NAME: Alexandros Hart
NICKNAMES: Alex
AGE: ha-ha
GENDER: Male
HAIR: Blond
EYES: Blue
HEIGHT: 6'
WEIGHT: 175lbs
BUILD: Come over and find out
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SEXUALITY: Fluid
OCCUPATION: Badass
RESIDENCE: Everywhere
TRUE NAME: Apollo
RACE: Olympian
DOMINION: Healing, plague, truth, prophecy, music, poetry, light, Sun.
WEAPON: Bow and arrow, various firearms.
PARENTS: Julian Keravnos
SIBLINGS: Eleni Hart
OTHER RELATIVES: Everyone ever because Zeus is a slut
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