Alex Christie
Alex Christie is a local teacher, creative, musician and so much more. Regardless of which artistic hat he is wearing, it undoubtedly has to do with music and sound. His eye-catching UVA biography touts that his work is “vibrant,” “interesting, I guess,” and “responsible for ruining my day.” Despite the hilarity of some of these reactions, he is extremely proud of them. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex continued to create his avant-garde and noisy works with synths and saxophone alike. Flashing lights and theatrical elements also grace the stage in some of Alex’s creations.
When Alex had to take a step off the stage and enter the world’s quarantine, he did so with creativity and community outreach. This time for Alex was marked by making some music and teaching Synths for Beginners through The Bridge PAI. Alex noted that this virtual class made art and knowledge more accessible to a larger group of people, and this aspect of the pandemic should continue to be considered in the future. However, Alex told WTJU he also found comfort in cooking with his partner, staying in touch with loved ones and simply having a place to live.
Alex shared a bit about his current favorite synth, which is built into a foldable chessboard. He also wanted to let the record show he created this synth before the release of The Queen’s Gambit and the public’s obsession with chess that followed. The chess pieces are knobs that dictate sound, and this melding of shape and noise is no coincidence. Alex explained that he is interested in the duality of what something is meant to do and what it can also do when turned into a synthesizer. In much of Alex’s work, physicality and music mesh to create an unpredictable listening experience. Look up Alex Christie to learn more about his upcoming projects that may feature glitter, a dissertation turned interactive website, and more physical music pieces.