THIS week we chat with Alex Hegyesi, guitarist from fringe-dwelling local noise-rock\/post-hardcore band ALARMS, who said she\u2019s trying to focus on the here and now at the moment, laying down the groundwork for things to come over the next few years.<\/p>\n
What motivated you to take up the guitar?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was an angsty fourteen-year-old wanting to write pop-punk songs.<\/p>\n I didn’t know anything about guitars so I didn’t end up doing anything even remotely ‘punk’.<\/p>\n I was gifted an acoustic guitar and a family friend offered to teach me to play, though I didn’t really take it seriously until I was well into my 20s.<\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n I spent quite a few years experimenting with alternate tunings, so my sound developed a lot working within those parameters.<\/p>\n I love making noise, and in the early days experimenting with feedback I was pretty heavy handed, so I’ve spent a fair bit of time trying to reign it in and create a more controlled chaos.<\/p>\n Which other guitarists inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Being introduced to the music of Rowland S Howard (The Birthday Party) was a pivotal moment for me.<\/p>\n I’ve (also) drawn a lot of inspiration from bands such as The Cure and Mogwai, and I’m constantly inspired and motivated to do better by my peers.<\/p>\n I feel like I’m so lucky to be surrounded by so many truly incredible musicians.<\/p>\n Have you had any mentors over your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n The first person to actually teach me something, Ross, gets the credit for showing me how to love the guitar.<\/p>\n Before that, my only exposure to making music was through music theory, something I’ve always struggled with.<\/p>\n Being able to jam things out with Ross was a turning point.<\/p>\n Waigo (fellow ALARMS member) has always pushed me to be better – he deserves a lot of the credit for how I’ve progressed over the years.<\/p>\n What are some highlights you have from your time as a musician?<\/strong><\/p>\n That first ALARMS show will always take the top spot.<\/p>\n I was so nervous I almost threw up.<\/p>\n When you’re presenting people with something for the first time, almost gingerly, like, \u2018I made this, oh god, please don’t hate it\u2019, and then the audience erupted – I couldn’t believe it.<\/p>\n Seeing the crowd heaving, seeing people enjoy what we made, I was so stoked by it.<\/p>\n