From ALIENZ to solo guitar artist, Alan Azar who is recognized locally and internationally by his marvelous music and could not be described by a few words... LebaneseMetal.com gives you the opportunity to discover Alan and his album "Defective Harmony".

1- First off, could you tell me about how you started out in the musical field?

Since I was young I grew up in a music family. At 15 I picked up the acoustic guitar and started playing songs that I liked. Then after I studied it for a while, it became serious at the age of 19.

2- Your father introduced you to rock music and the guitar. Did he realize back then that this would set you on such a musical path that has become a major part of your life? What does he say about that now?

Yeah my father introduced me to music. We jammed together on some old songs he used to play when he was my age. Since then he never stopped supporting me, and you can see him in every gig that I do. He gives me advice and we always fight on ideas haha... so yeah, he is proud and that keeps me working hard. It was his dream to see me and my brothers succeed in music.

3- You taught music and guitar at university after completing your own studies. Do you feel you had an impact on your students? If so, what feeling do you get when thinking that you may have helped someone find their musical calling?

I taught guitar to many people and it's a great feeling when you know that you are helping someone learn how to play the guitar. I remember myself practicing everyday and trying to learn the guitar.

I taught music in a logical way, in order to simplify things a bit, and my students were able to pick it up quite easily.  Lately I have become extremely busy with work and travelling, and have been unable to devote time in helping others learn guitar. I enjoy and miss teaching because it is a great passion of mine, and I feel every talented musician is in need.

4- Where did the name ALIENZ come from? Any story behind that?

My dad came up with the name, no story behind it.

5- Since that band project, the ALIENZ, lasted quite a few years, do you feel that you grew during that time? Musically and otherwise, did the changes (if there were any) reflect in your music, performance, attitude, chemistry as a band…etc?

Well ALIENZ project was really my evolution in the music field because it was the first band where I composed, recorded, and performed originals on stage. My experience grew tremendously, and helped me become more creative in different styles. Progressive music incorporates a variety of different genres of music, technically and theoretically.

6- Before going solo in 2007, did you think much about the matter?

I never thought about going solo before. Instead, I have always loved being in a band where we share ideas with one another,  and live each moment on stage like a team. In my previous band ALIENZ, I created most of the vocal parts. It's a great feeling to see your fans singing along, and so my passion for music is more than just the instrumental aspect of it. Unfortunately, the band didn't work out. I believe I tried my best to keep things going, but the other members were not as serious as I was. It left me in a state of depression. Shortly after, my brother Julian and I recorded some instrumental tracks, Control Panel and Falling Down, which later became part of Defective Harmony, where we tested our musical capabilities. I enjoy being a solo artist because I am capable of accomplishing things I never knew I could achieve.

7- Was it difficult going from a band with members as a built-in support system, to a solo musical project that mainly had you relying on yourself for the support?

They are both difficult, but in a different way. As a solo artist, I only have to rely on myself. Subsequently, it has caused me to think about the production in another way and so, my focus has been placed mainly on the guitar.

8- Tell me a bit about yourself since the time you decided to go solo. What has changed in you, musically and character-wise, if there are any changes at all?

The focus of the music has centered in on my performance, and so each piece has to have a range of variation since it is concentrating on one instrument. By directing my work in this way, I have incorporated many guitar solos, which have helped me gain a greater confidence in myself performing on stage as a front man.