Meet Alexander Ruwe | Artist, Entertainer & Band Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexander Ruwe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexander, how do you think about risk?
Risk is necessary for artists and leaders of any industry. The nature of our work demands that we push our crafts or our teams or our organizations in order to pursue new opportunities.

I know that I am in a good place with myself and my work when I feel slightly overwhelmed and exhausted. Too much of this and it becomes a distraction — I become unable to think and organize and execute, and my decision making becomes cloudy. But if my world is too relaxed, I become less engaged with my work and I am more prone to old habits that do not serve me. So, the more I can challenge myself — in my worlds as an artist, leader, business owner, athlete, husband, father, etc. — the better.

I’ll also note that I think really great work often comes right at the limits of our capabilities. Exhaustion, frustration, chaos can be the perfect incubator for powerful, emotional work. In this space, we run the risk of reaching too far, but that result is at least admirable in comparison to safer work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been a songwriter since I was a child, and currently have an alternative-country record underway with producer, Gary Gordon. I primarily perform throughout Greater St Louis, MO, but feel fortunate to have traveled quite a bit of the country, sharing my song book.

I also work as a soloist, DJ & Band Leader in the wedding, corporate and private event space. This is an industry that I did not set out to serve, but I have come to love through the many ways it has challenged me as a songwriter, entertainer & band leader.

From Custom First Dance songs, to DJ’d remixes and transitions, to guitar/piano arrangements for Opening Dances, to lighting and sound production for increasingly larger and larger stages and events, all of the work has been stimulating and demanding — intellectually and physically — while remaining so, so, so much fun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In my mid-20s, I worked for a healthcare company out of Portland and eventually Los Angeles, and one of my accounts happened to be in Miami.

I spent many, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaany wonderful days, exploring the city, its art, culture and nightlife, and most importantly, its food.

Havana Harry’s remains one of my very favorite restaurants on the planet. Order the Vaca Frita. You owe me!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
For this interview, we should celebrate my lovely parents — Nanette & Eric Ruwe. I am one of the fortunate ones on the planet that was gifted two kindhearted, fun, optimistic, giving, hilaaaaaaaaaaaarious and completely alive humans as parents. They have been connected and dedicated to the success of my life and the lives of everyone important to me since the day I was born. They have praised me, challenged me, punished me and teased me, always focused on helping me to make good decisions on who I spent my time with and what I spent my time on. In doing so, they’ve gifted me a life that I have for the most part enjoyed every second of. I owe them for the entirety of any success I have had throughout my life.

Website: www.AlexanderRuwe.com & www.RedJacketsBand.com

Instagram: @AlexanderRuwe

Facebook: Facebook.com/AlexanderRuweMusic & Facebook.com/RedJacketsBand

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlexanderRuweMusic?app=desktop

Other: A link to my children’s singalong book: www.GoodNightLittleDarlings.com

Image Credits
Claire Forrest Alec Wallis