Not a lot of students at Placer High can say that their parents are their influence when it comes to being a rock star, but for Junior Alex Brigham she can say just that.

Alex has been playing guitar since she was about eleven and has always loved music. “Music is my life. It’s the only thing that makes me truly happy no matter how cliché that may sound.” states Alex. She was turned on to music when her Dad would play guitar for her and her older brother at night when they went to bed. And it‘s been all downhill from there. “I have always been raised around music my mom being the singer and my dad being the guitar player I guess it’s in my blood.”

Even though Alex has been around music all her life, she hasn’t always been the one playing the guitar and singing. Alex picked up guitar and singing during her parents divorce, she felt that it was the only way to express her feelings during this rough patch in her life. “I remember getting frustrated, I could not formulate the chords so I would set the guitar down and it lay stagnant for months. But I could not stay away I had such I desire to learn I just could not stay away.” states Alex as she remembers it almost five years ago.

When asked about her musical influences she said that her family had a big influence on her musical back round. Raised on bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Lynyrd Skynyrd it was set in stone that Alex was to be a great musician. She did admit that she eventually got into other bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden. Once she was able to choose her own radio stations, Alex got into other bands like Good Charlotte and Kitty. One year though would change her life forever.

“Christmas 2004 was a focal point in my musical liking, if you will, I heard for the first time a song that came to change my life that was when I was introduced to Avenged Sevenfold.” Alex fondly states remembering that day.

She fell in love with the musical diversity and realized that in order to become a true musician that’s exactly what she needed. Coming into High School Alex got hooked onto other bands like My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, and Taking Back Sunday.

“I was introduced into an entire world that I never knew existed. Or more that I was scared that it existed. My eyes were open, and my world was new.”

Alex has always wanted a career in music but knew from her parents that it was not a easy task to fulfill.

“I have been struggling with myself for the past long while, a career in music very hard, with all the new bands there is all the more competition, and all the less slots to fill in the record companies.” states Alex. When asked about advise on how one would make it in the musical industry this is what she had to say,

“To make it, it’s either pass or fail. To put everything on the line, and hope you make it. You have to put your whole heart into it, otherwise you know you won’t make it. Its sad really. You put everything on the line your life, your future, and you’re faced with this, if you don’t risk everything, you will get nothing, and if you risk everything, there’s an overwhelming chance you will still get nothing. All you can do is risk everything, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.

“The only advice I can give is be true to yourself. Which is worse? Wondering? Or trying, and knowing that maybe, you might and mostly likely will fail? Follow your head and your heart and do what you think is best. That’s all I can say.”