The path to becoming a musician is rarely a straight one. Abraham Alexander’s has been twistier than most.
Born in Greece to Nigerian parents. A move to the United States at the age of 11 that eventually landed him in the soccer program at Texas Wesleyan University. An injury that turned his casual relationship with guitar into something much more serious. And, now, a burgeoning career that has seen him play with the likes of Leon Bridges, Mavis Staples and Gary Clark, Jr.
The final two on that heady list appear on Alexander’s debut album, Sea/Sons, which has been out in the wild since April. But his collision with celebrity goes all the way back to his childhood in Greece, where he crossed paths with someone Milwaukeeans know quite well.
“There’s a small African community in Greece, and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and myself actually went to the same church growing up. It’s wild,” Alexander told 88Nine’s Kenny Perez during a Saturday afternoon Studio Milwaukee Session.
“It’s crazy ‘cuz we’re living our best life in Greece, and my parents decided the best thing to do for a young kid enjoying life in Greece was for me to move to Texas, and I guess for him it’s to be in Milwaukee. But it’s amazing seeing what’s happening in his life and his family’s life, and they’re really beautiful humans.”
It’s an adjective easily applied to the performance Alexander delivered while sitting solo on our stage, acoustic guitar resting on his knee and lilting voice carrying out over an audience of Radio Milwaukee members. Sea/Sons is a soul-baring project, and this session was no different.
You can hear the full set and interview using the player at the top of the page, and pick up Alexander’s album on Bandcamp.
Set list
- “Knee Deep
- “Tears Run Dry”
- "Heart of Gold"
