YouTube sensation Alex Goot started his channel “Goot Music” about 5 years ago and has grown in popularity since then. He started out posting covers but has been posting more and more original songs as the years have passed. This multi-talented musicians plays piano, guitar, bass, drums and sings, among other things. I usually love his take on popular songs so when he came to Montreal a couple of weeks ago for a headlining show at La Tulipe, I was really sad to have to miss it. A few days later though, I had a phone interview with the artist to discuss his popularity, his music and the whole internet era.

CONFRONT: How was your show here the other day?

ALEX: It was awesome. It was really cool to see how many people showed up. Last time we played here, it was with Boyce Avenue and we played Metropolis. To my surprise, they sold that venue out and I think a lot of people there really carried over and came to see my show this time.

CONFRONT: Cool! Now, can you tell me a little bit about yourself for people who might not know you?

ALEX: I do a lot of covers on YouTube. They’re my rendition of a popular song turned into happy piano music. I smash the piano a lot among other things and I do multi-track videos.

CONFRONT: Yeah you’re a pretty multi-talented guy! And you started this whole project after seeing bands failing around you; did you ever think it would bring you this far?

ALEX: I didn’t! I didn’t think anything actually. It’s always been for me; what do I want to do, how do I want to do that myself, what music do I want to play, what song do I want to cover? I just do things that I enjoy and it turns out that people enjoy it too so it worked out.

CONFRONT: Yeah! It also gave you the chance to tour Europe this summer, how was that?

ALEX: That was awesome too! That was really cool. So many people came out that had just seen me on the internet; it was surreal to see how many people wanted to see me play. I’m looking forward to go back there; probably in a few months.

CONFRONT: It’s so cool that this has given you these opportunities.

ALEX: Absolutely.

CONFRONT: Actually, what is the biggest thing it has brought you?

ALEX: One time that I really felt like I was doing something really cool was when we played Hammersmith Apollo in London. It was sold out, 5 000 people. I looked out and I thought it was really crazy.

CONFRONT: Was that one of the big “I made it” moments?

ALEX: Yeah! I don’t think I ever feel like saying the words “I made it” because I always feel like I could be doing something else, something better and something different. But it definitely was a moment and I took it in.

CONFRONT: I think that’s good though because when you’re always striving to move forward, that’s how you progress!

ALEX: Exactly. Sometimes though, you need to appreciate what you have as well.

CONFRONT: Of course. Now, speaking about your music and your videos, which song was the most interesting for you to record?

ALEX: I think “Hey Soul Sister” by Train. It was kind of my first attempt at doing a song I really liked that also happened to be a number one hit. I thought maybe I would get some fans from it. I gave it a go and it turned out really well.

CONFRONT: And when you do a cover, how does it work? What’s the process like?

ALEX: I’ll kind of scan the charts to see what’s happening and after that, I’ll see if any catch my attention; if they don’t, I won’t do it. Sometimes, people will tweet at me and I’ll look through that as well. It all comes down to if I really like something.

CONFRONT: And then do you kind of rework it from scratch?

ALEX: Yeah! I’ll listen to the track 20 to 30 times to really feel it out; to see what kind of beat it should be and what kind of instruments I should put in. Then, I’ll start tracking it. I usually end up playing the piano and sing a really rough thing just to a metronome, then add everything over that like guitars, bass and drums. Then, I’ll add the actual and the actual vocal tracks. Then, I’ll just go from there.

CONFRONT: Do you ever get sick of the song by the end of it?

ALEX: I actually tune out the song as a song while I’m doing it and I can appreciate it when it’s done. It’s a weird process. Anyone that hangs around during the recording process always wonder how I keep listening to it over and over. I really don’t know! I just don’t see it that way; I see a musical piece coming together.

CONFRONT: Oh ok, that’s interesting! And do you have a preference between originals vs covers?

ALEX: I definitely prefer originals. The whole point of me doing covers was to get fans and show them that I have my own music to share. And that’s worked really well too. The response to the original songs on this tour has been great. It’s everything I’ve hoped for in that department because when we play live, a lot of people are singing along to the original songs just as much as the covers; they know both.

CONFRONT: What are some of your inspirations?

ALEX: Just to share the love of music and knowing that I get to play music, share it and create with others. It’s just what I want to do. I just can’t see myself do anything else.

CONFRONT: So you didn’t have a plan B?

ALEX: No! With a plan B, you’re just giving yourself the option to walk away from what you really want to do.

CONFRONT: Well for you, wasn’t YouTube kind of a plan B after being in bands?

ALEX: True. I was in a bunch of bands throughout high school and the level of commitment has to be matched by every single person in the band for it to really work out and really reach its full potential. Otherwise, someone will be holding it back; it’s hard.

CONFRONT: That’s true. And you’re one of the artists who is directly affected by the internet takeover of the industry. What are your thoughts about it?

ALEX: I’m pretty biased because I’ve benefitted so much from it. I think other people on the other side of the fence wouldn’t think it’s so great. But there’s no middle man for what I do. I just make music and it goes directly to fans so for me, it’s perfect. It’s the ideal situation for someone creating who just wants it to go straight to the fans.

CONFRONT: It puts the power back into the musicians’ hands right?

ALEX: Yeah, totally!

CONFRONT: What advice would you have for aspiring musicians?

ALEX: Just keep at it. It’s the only thing you can do. If you believe in what you’re doing, you gotta do it! It’s really circular advice; it just goes back on itself. Believe in yourself. It sounds cheesy but it’s really the way it works.

CONFRONT: That’s great advice I think! Now, if we were to go back to the past and you had the chance to become this popular by taking the traditional artist’s path, would you have taken that path?

ALEX: The craft of writing songs has changed me a lot. Just covering so many things that have gone #1, I really appreciate it and I find it’s a unique path. I wouldn’t want to change it though at all. If I had the opportunity to go back and go with a label or something, I don’t think that would work for me. I appreciate that I have that unique path to get fans and get my career. I wouldn’t do it any other way.

CONFRONT: Now, this is my usual last question but you can’t really answer it fully because I usually ask people to draw something that represents themselves. If I were to ask you though, what would you have drawn?

ALEX: This is a really hard one! I think I would just draw something dumb like a death star or something. I don’t know why, it’s the first thing I thought of! But maybe on that same path, I’d draw a shooting star or something. It doesn’t really know where it’s going.

CONFRONT: That’s cool! I like that! Is there anything you’d like to add?

ALEX: I think that’s about it!

CONFRONT: Awesome! Maybe next time you’re here, I can make you draw for real.

ALEX: Absolutely! I’m a horrible artist. I can’t draw anything but stick figures but I will certainly do my best

To check out his music and his videos, here are a few links:

Official Site : http://gootmusic.com/

YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/user/gootmusic

Facebook : http://facebook.com/gootmusic

Twitter : http://twitter.com/alexgoot