Alex Liang Wong

 

With music and lyrics that are both transportive, yet achingly familiar, Alex Liang Wong debuts his first solo album “A City on a Lake.”

Inspired by the musical and physical journeys experienced by the singer- songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer during the album’s creation over the past year, “A City on a Lake” (named after the history of Mexico City which was built on the site of an ancient lake) illustrates the artist’s belief that if you listen closely enough, music will always tell you where to go.  Having made music on three continents, this album takes that concept quite literally.

 

Filled with sonic landscapes, classical orchestrations and stirring harmonies along with Wong’s signature rhythmic approach; the album features collaborations with some talented friends including Ari Hest, Ximena Sarinana, Paul Freeman, and Rachel Platten.  The record also marks the first time Wong brought in an outside producer, longtime friend and engineer Eddie Jackson. to produce the vocals.  Says Wong, “It was scary for me to hand over the reins and let someone in to the most vulnerable part of the process,but he really got me to deliver performances I wouldn't have gotten on my own.”

 

The concept for a solo album crystallized during a particularly trying period for Wong, marked by the end of several longtime artistic and personal partnerships in his life.  He states:

“Although it was hard at the time, there was finally space in my life to do something I’d wanted to do for a long time.  It was a unique challenge for me as I was trying to fill the roles of both solo artist and producer… roles I knew individually but had never attempted together.  I had certain expectations of the record from both an artistic and production standpoint and it was hard to get out of my own way at times and trust myself.  I wanted to play with song structure more, create something the listener could really get lost in rather than keeping songs limited to three and a half minute tidy pop products.  I also wanted to make a record that felt more "grown up" than previous endeavors… I was entering a different place writing-wise and wanted a sound that would match the feelings I was exploring now.  Overall it’s a bit darker sounding, a bit more mature,” he adds.

 

The album will be released in May 2012.

The Paper Raincoat

 

The Paper Raincoat is an imaginative collaboration between Brooklyn songwriters Amber Rubarth and Alex Wong that brings to life a colorful world teeming with compelling characters, dream-like storylines, and metaphorical narratives. Their debut EP Safe in The Sound is an introduction to this fantasy world drawn from real experiences of excitement and solitude its creators shared in moving to New York City. 

Writing/Production

 

MARTIN RIVAS - http://martinrivas.net

 

Martin is a special talent and in many ways I consider him a focal point of the robust NYC singer/songwriter community, linking many satellite groups of people together with his positive energy and undeniable songwriting.  The record spans from electro space oddessy to dreamy Motown ballad and is one of my favorite projects I've ever worked on.  RELEASE DATE: MAY 2012

 

DELTA RAE - http://deltarae.com

 

Delta rae are a powerful band of 4 part harmonies and southern ghosts.  They have been described as Mumford and Sons meets Fleetwood Mac.  This was an ambitious album with big songs and epic arrangements and it was great to be pushed musically to deliver something that matched the raw power and dynamic they exhibit as a band.  We recorded the album at Echo Mountain in Asheville NC and at Angelhouse Studios in Brooklyn.  RELEASE DATE: MAY 2012, SIRE/WARNER BROS RECORDS