By Kelly Smyth
Last week I discovered this artist via TikTok and just had to know more. So, I reached out to Alex Konchar, an Irish-Serbian musician based in Dublin. Not only was I impressed by his voice, but also his versatility between various genres- with singles in pop, rock, alternative, singer-songwriter, country and more. Naturally, as Music Editor it was my duty to dig deeper into this genre bending, native musician. Following a nerve-wracking Instagram DM to @alexkonchar, I was greeted with such warmth and honesty from the artist, who enthusiastically answered my questions ranging from his music making process to the pressures of social media.
Do you think the Irish music scene is supportive?
“Yes, 100%. Compared to other countries, we have very few boundaries to actually playing live in front of people, and local bands always feel welcomed. We also have Ireland Music Week every year, which I was lucky enough to perform at in 2024, which helps support Irish artists in their music career in such a big way. Ireland is also quite a small country, so the music scene definitely feels quite tight knit, which is lovely”.
To my awareness, you are currently self-producing your music. What does that look like for you?
“You’re right, I write and produce my music from my home studio. It’s something that I work on almost everyday, and honestly it’s mainly just experimentation. Sometimes I have a style that I want to try before I even open my laptop, but mainly I just grab an instrument, and play whatever I come up with. If I like it, I develop it into a beat, and if I can develop it more, then eventually into a song. The more I play and experiment, the more likely it is that I will find something cool, which could turn into a full song. That’s my approach to music”.
Do you feel social media has a large role to play in the current music world? How do you feel about having to promote a personal brand as well as your music?
“Yes, marketing yourself is a crucial part of finding an audience and building a career from music. It was something I really disliked at the beginning, but as I kept posting and seeing progress, I eventually started to really like it. I love experimenting and seeing what works for others, then trying it myself. I have also been able to reach people all over the world with my music because of social media, and that is something I am very grateful for. I definitely focus more on promoting the music rather than the personal brand, but I’m still learning how to do all of this, so there is room for growth”.
Do you think your music is relatable for students? What songs in particular may reflect this?
“Definitely, I wrote a lot of my music while I was a student so I know how you guys feel. ‘Gesture’ is about the parties I used to have in my apartment while I was in UCC, so that might be a good start. If you read the lyrics, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I also have a few songs about relationships, especially ‘Photobook’ which is about dealing with a long distance relationship, and processing you both moving away. ‘Not The Same’ is also a really good one, which deals with you looking back at your younger self, still feeling like a part of them is within you, but equally feeling very different. Being in university is an important time, and you will experience a lot of self development and maturing, so a lot of you will be able to relate to this song”.
What can we hope to see from you in future?
“Well Eurovision has been on my mind for some time. I had a lot of support, but unfortunately I didn’t make it into the selection this year. It is something that I really want to do and I will definitely try again next year. I am also working on a lot of music, and posting my demos frequently online. I plan to have some more releases for May and throughout summer, and I’m excited to finish and share what I am working on. I have some live shows planned for April in Dublin too. Everyone is welcome to come, and I’ll post more about my live shows on my social media. I hope to see you there”.
Overall, Konchar’s relatability and drive is admirable as he pursues musical growth. With relatable subject matter and a multifaceted approach to music production, he is a ‘can’t miss’ for students across Ireland. If you want to hear more, feel free to check out his latest single ‘Not The Same’ and keep an eye for upcoming show dates to hear him live.