Whether it’s being taped day and night for a reality show or baring one’s soul on a record. Each brings about a certain level of vulnerability. While it’s something we can all talk about in theory, only few can actually say they’ve experienced both. The man behind Van Alden is one of them. He was nice enough to let us inside his piece of the world. One that has both a small screen past and a music-filled present and future.
Kendra: Usually, people that go down the reality show path tend to stay there a lot longer than expected and that’s how they live the rest of their days. You did not, you’re focused on your music now and you definitely have a wonderfully done EP. Did you have an interest in music before you were on Big Brother or did that experience make you realize you wanted more creatively?
Van Alden: It has been a dream/goal of mine to be a musician my entire life. A dream that I’ve incessantly chased through my youth. I never imagined I’d be a “reality tv star” and I never really planned for. I had a good time on Big Brother, but I still have dreams to accomplish and achieve. Going on Big Brother was incredible. It gave me the confidence I needed to take my songwriting and passion more seriously.
Kendra: With so many places in LA to sit and pen a song, were you inspired to write any or all of your EP anywhere in particular?
Van Alden: I travel with my acoustic guitar all the time and most of the EP started off that way! If I remember correctly, the birthplace of these songs were: New York, Malibu, Palm Springs, and New Orleans. I have a deeply seeded attraction to these places and was able to tap into my vulnerability and songwriting.
Kendra: Fans have seen one side of who you are on TV and now are getting to know your “Otherside” via music, but you’re also a clothing designer. Looking back, what musician do you feel was the best at matching their style and sound seamlessly?
Van Alden: Oliver Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon was also a pretty big influence of mine growing up. He’s one of the very few who have mastered matching sound/style and carrying it onto a successful career for more than a decade.
Kendra: Speaking of LA and going off your own “Sinners,” what do you think is the number one sort of “sin” people commit at LA shows you see more often than not?
Van Alden: Staring at their phones instead of immersing themselves in the live performance in front of them! I’ve been to countless shows where I see people either watching the show through their phone that’s recording, or busy posting about the show on social media. I don’t get it, honestly.
Kendra: What are your plans for 2019?
Van Alden: Working on another EP and tour. We’ve been hyper-focusing on music and also hoping to collaborate with other artists this y we.
