Category: Interviews
Rehab for Egos, led by Alex Jigaray, brings a welcome mix of heavy rock and uplifting melodies to the Vancouver music scene.
Born in Russia, Alex moved to Vancouver at the late age of 15. However, that hasn’t stifled his musical ambitions in the slightest. As a former member of RallyCar, winners of the 2005 99.3 CFOX Vancouver Seeds, Alex traversed across Canada with the band, learning about the music industry as he went along. With a wealth of knowledge and experience behind him, Alex went off to start his solo project, Rehab for Egos.
We sit down with Alex to dig in about Rehab for Egos in this Project Opus exclusive interview.
I’ve always been curious about your name. Why Rehab for Egos? What’s the story behind that?
The name came to me when I was talking to one of my previous band mates about all the downsides of this business. We were talking about how all these ‘rock stars’ seemed to always get on and off drugs and booze, always in and out of rehab. One high that there was no rehab for was the ego. Being high on yourself seem to be an addictive felling . So, I said that there should be a rehab for egos. We laughed and then both of us stopped. We looked at one another and thought the same thing. Rehab for Egos would be a good name for the type of thing that I’d be going for. The music is really honest and humble. A lot of the time I write the lyrics that will show that we all go through the same shit just on different levels, so no one is better than the next person. Plus, with a name like that, it’s a constant reminder to never develop an ego. [laughs]
What was it like coming to Vancouver in your mid-teens? I’m not picking up an accent at all. Did you have a lot of music experience back home?
Coming to Vancouver in my mid teens was like coming to a different planet. I wasn’t really picked on in high school, it just seemed like I was distant to everyone. It’s not easy to be 15 and not be able to speak the language of your surroundings. Language wasn’t the only thing. It was the whole culture, the jokes, the clothing, the stereo type, the popular kids’ hair [laughs], and so on.
Learning the language came pretty easy, though. In about a year I went from not being able to say a word to being able to speak at a 10 year olds level. [laughs] In 3 years I was fluent, and most of my accent was gone. (I attribute that to being a musician and heaving an ear for music.)
I learned how to play guitar at the age of 12. Can’t say that I was crazy about it. In Russia, there was no prospects of it going anywhere. Getting an electric guitar was not in the cards that I was dealt. I listened to Metallica and acoustic guitar sounded to “pussy” to me at the time. (I know. It’s pretty ironic. [laughs])
So, I learned how to play guitar, could play a few songs to get the girls and didn’t really think much of it. However, I was always in love with creating. Creativity, every since I can remember myself, was the funnest thing to do. I just had to find the proper outlet - “the shoes that fit me”. [laughs]
When I came here I ended up in a guitar class. The teacher let us play the songs with a full band as one of our projects. You could play anything, from Metallica to the Beatles. When I heard that sound of a full band doing the Beatles song, I felt like I was smacked over the head with a hammer. It was my baptism into music. I fell in love with it. I would write music all day and all night long. I practiced my singing and guitar playing, though I really sucked back then. I didn’t care. I loved it too much!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Go out and socialize with the music scene. Drink. Sometimes play tennis, but the thought of furthering my carrier never leaves me alone. [laughs] Maybe I should see a shrink.
Did you always want to be a rock star?
No. It’s about 10 year old goal. In fact, I never thought that doing something creative or artistic that you love for money is even possible because of where I lived before Canada.
What do you use for inspiration? Do you ever get stuck in the creation process? What do you do to get moving again?
Inspiration is a funny concept. I feel like some artist need it, and some don‘t. Sometimes the word ‘inspiration’ becomes an excuse for a lazy artist not to try extra hard. All they’ve gotta say is “Sorry, I’m just not inspired”. I feel like I have ‘inspiration’ all the time. It’s simply a desire to create. It’s just a part of my nature, just like to some people being funny or being good with chicks is. When I get writers block I simply keep writing until it goes away. [laughs] A little pot doesn’t hurt ether.
If you could do something different with your music, what would it be?
Satanic polka. [laughs] No, I don’t know. I really like where I ended up with my style but it would probably be new metal or something.
You mentioned before that you’ve learned a lot about the music industry when you went touring with RallyCar. Could you share some wisdom with our readers on how to succeed in our business?
Be polite. Don’t piss anyone of and make sure you’ve got the best music you can write. Don’t think that you’re too good for anybody, but never sell yourself short! (Sorry, I realize how cliché this one is. [laughs])
Of yours songs, which is your favourite and why?
See, now that is a question that no artist should be able to answer. If it’s not you best work, don’t show it to people. Don’t bother with it. Move on. I write every song like it’s going to be the last one I write, so to me, they are all my favourites. If one stuck out, then I would drop the rest and write new songs that are as good as that one until all of them are compatible.
Your earlier work had an unplugged feel, where your newer stuff has a much harder sound. What changed?
I was in Rallycar and I recording with a full band, which takes a lot of time that I didn’t have back then. Plus, performing it would have been a challenge. There is no artistic reason behind it.
To you, what makes a great fan?
If a person is a fan of my music, that makes him a great fan. I am thankful for any fans. All fans are great because they like what you do and that’s all I need. If they go farther, and come to every show and try to help the band out and all that, they turn from fans into friends.
What are the future plans for Rehab for Egos?
Getting it heard by everyone. But in the short term, radio, management, booking agents and completing the band. I am only missing a guitar player! We start touring at the end of spring.
At the end of your music career, what do you want to have accomplished? What do you want to be remembered for?
For both questions: GOOD SONGS!!!
Thanks for your time, Alex! Looking forward to seeing you out and about Vancouver.
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