Introducing Alex Gardner: the new George Michael
'You can always get back into education later in life, but you can't always become famous,' muses
Raised in Edinburgh, he taught himself to strum aged five, and now plays the piano, guitar, drums, clarinet and saxophone. At 13, his mother suggested he try modelling.
Within ten days of signing with Select, he had done a shoot for Vogue Homme with Ellen von Unwerth. Three years later he dropped out of school, gave up his modelling career and moved to London to pursue his musical ambitions.
Alex's big break came when he met Brian Higgins of songwriting duo Xenomania, who wrote 'Love Machine' for Girls Aloud, as well as songs for Cher, Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys.
Higgins took Alex on and created an electric pop sound with R&B influences, leading the music press to dub him the new George Michael.
Alex has now signed his first record deal with Universal and supported Paolo Nutini on tour.
First things first, do you have a girlfriend?
Not at the moment, no.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I write about what I know: mainly my songs are about girls, I'm not going to lie.
Who are your biggest influences?
I'm a 1990s kid and for my generation getting music is so easy. My influences come from everywhere: Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley and the heavy rock metal band one of my brothers plays in; I love it all.
Do you have many groupies?
There is this lovely little French lady in her sixties. She painted me and gave me the picture the other day. I stole her off Mika. She used to be his number one fan until she saw me support him.
What has been the highlight so far?
Going to LA to shoot the video for 'I'm Not Mad' was incredible, because I had never been outside Europe before. I also exchanged 'hellos' with Kylie Minogue. Out of all the people I have met so far, I was the most starstruck by her because, well, she's Kylie Minogue.
'I'm Not Mad' is out now
