The Stage - Tomorrow's Music. Today.

Metro Drive,
by Melissa Evanko

A current equation for success in the music industry would be a great voice, good look and that extra something to set you apart from the pack. Add songwriter to that equation of singer and you have Alexander Seier. In an exclusive interview for ‘The Stage’ Alex Seier, lead singer of Metro Drive, sat down with us to talk shop and offer his take on the Lehigh Valley music scene.

Metro Drive, based out of Bethlehem, PA, has played together since 1998. The band was formerly known as projectsixtyseven, and has put out 4 CDs. You can check out Metro Drive on the web at www.metrodrive.com.

The song that Seier will be performing acoustically on "The Stage’ is ‘Let it Go, ‘ a new song written by Seier who writes all the material for Metro Drive. He actually favors playing acoustically; he feels more of a connection with the crowd. Seier is constantly writing and planning to release new material sometime soon.

The musical philosophy of Alex Seier is that "as long as he gets to play his own songs and perform, he’s not too worried about the rest." Seier jokes that if he was offered a record deal and had to wear pink boots in order to get the deal, give him the pink boots. He feels that you are still your own person no matter what you wear. The persona doesn’t wear you; you’re still your own person

A bit of career advice from Seier is that when you are making music your career that you have to change your mindset. You have to think about you and what is best for you to be happy. You also have to understand how the business works. and take some of the emotion out of it. If faced with the task of getting a million-dollar deal or staying in a band with your best friend, what would you do? Keep your integrity or risk the chance of loosing your dream.

Seier’s take on the Lehigh Valley music scene where he has played for years is not seen through rose colored glasses. He feels that ‘bands stick together more in other places than here.’ He feels that bands that work really hard get flack for it. Seier feels that in order for a band to gain attention and get that record deal that you have to be proactive. A music exec is not going to walk into a bar and sign a band on the spot. That happens to every five bands out of a million. "Everyone is cool when you are on the same level but then when you take off people are like who do you think you are" Seier feels that bands break apart from staying together. There is a false sense of comeradie and once bands are away from each other they talk badly about each other. This not only eats on everybody but also eats at the scene itself.

When asked that eternal question if he had to choose between being a singer or songwriter, Seier admitted he would be happy if all he did was write songs. Music is something he loves and he wants to make a living at. He’s not too worried about what role he will have to play. One phrase that could sum up Seier’s philosophy and drive is that you don’t become a rockstar overnight.