Border Telegraph | What's On | Open-mic

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 26th September, 2008 09:30

Open-mic - David Alexander

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David Alexander

THE Border Telegraph presents the sixth in a series of eight new weekly columns inspired by String Jam Club, which meets upstairs at the Salmon Inn, Galashiels, on the last Saturday of every month.

It offers local musicians the opportunity to play alongside some of the country’s top performers on their own doorstep during the open-mic spot – hence the name.

Here, our reporter, Ally McGilvray, gives teenage singer-songwriter David Alexander a sound-check following his appearance at the club…

“IF Pete Townsend and Robert Plant had a lovechild…”

Eighteen-year-old David Alexander, from Galashiels, is quite descriptive as he introduces himself to the audience at String Jam Club.

He first performed at the open-mic spot when he was only 10 and played a cover of Coldplay classic Yellow.

And the former Galashiels Academy pupil, who is on a gap year before studying civil engineering at Strathclyde University, is due to return again this weekend.

David, a member of the now disbanded band The Fiasco, has been singing and playing the guitar for more than a decade.

And, when he was 14-years-old, he built his own studio in his bedroom so he could record his own songs.

This Saturday he will perform in aid of children in South Africa.

David has volunteered to take part in a project, entitled Mandela and Beyond, to help youngsters from impoverished communities gain a modern education.

And, next month, he will fly out to St James’ School in Port Elizabeth to set-up a computer network and teach the students how to use them to enhance their own learning and development.

Volunteer Centre Borders organised the trip following a similar visit by an IT lecturer from Ireland who equipped a neighbouring school with PCs and saw at first hand the problems the country has been struggling to overcome since the fall of apartheid.

The group will be living with host families, giving them the chance to encounter first hand what life is like for young people in that area and share their own experiences with them.

String Jam Club founder Allie Fox said: “I have known Dave since he was seven and as soon as he opened his mouth to sing, I just knew he was going to be really good, even at that early age, he just has a natural talent.

“It’s been great working with him over the years and I am pleased that he has gone on to develop his song writing so well and is continuing to perform, which he really loves doing.

“He is always so chilled before he goes on stage but then throws himself into it and always gives 110 per cent.

“He has played at String Jam regularly over the years and was one of our

featured local artists at the Big Gig in the Volunteer Hall.

“I hope everyone will come along and hear him play at the club at the end of this month, as we are trying to highlight his trip to Africa and raise a few funds for him.”

For more information about David and his music log on to his website at www.myspace.com/soundstationrav

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