ABOUT
Islander is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and multi-media artist based in United Kingdom and SW France.
"...excelling in beauty of tone and heartfelt melodies, Islander's folk ballads are a treat for the ear..."
...'I am an Islander! That will never change, as long as I live, wherever I live...' (Islander)
Hello Folks! I'm Islander, singer, songwriter, guitarist. As a professional tenor, (Alexander Anderson-Hall) I have enjoyed more than 25 years travelling around the world performing operas, operettas, musicals, oratorios, concerts and recitals, but now I am 'turning the tide' and returning to my roots in folk music. In the spring of 2018 my debut folk ballads album 'Turning the Tide' was released and in the wake of its popularity I enjoyed the thrill of my first 'Islander UK Tour' covering a range of venues and folk clubs around Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Staffordshire and North Wales as well as tour dates in France in collaboration with fellow musician and singer James McOran-Campbell - coming together for 'Classi-Folk' - a brilliant mix of classical and folk favorites from all over the globe, a popular project which is still ongoing (visit the Tour page for details).
As founder of AudeFolk, Islander runs regular folk sessions, interviews and broadcasts with guest artists from his riverside 'Atelier' on the banks of the River Aude in SW France. 'We gather together, a real diverse and talented bunch of 'AudeFolkies' - a congenial place to try out, perform and jam in the comfort of friendship, fun and fire-light - usually fuelled by local wines and beers, snacks, great music and a lot of laughter - as it should be...'
My second and current album, 'My murmur laden shells' is doing really well and gaining some great reviews for it's fun, poignancy and diversity. These are 12 tracks of my own compositions and feature some of my talented folky friends and colleagues. It is now available to preview on the Music/Video page and available for streaming at Spotify, and Bandcamp Also available on CD. So go and check it out.
Exciting news and most recent update is that I am back in the recording studio working on my brand new album, 'Aquamarine'. More of my own material which includes chilled, mellow ballads, some lively up-tempo numbers and an injection of lighthearted fun. Due for an early winter 2025 release, keep an eye and ear on social media (Facebook) for updates and previews over the coming months. Also look out on the Tour page for performance dates in UK and France for 2025/2026. See you soon!
'... My murmur laden shells, by Islander, An eclectic thrilling journey across genres and styles, brilliantly produced, played and sung. This is a masterpiece...' MM
My Music
Thanks to my beloved Mum, who was a wonderful singer and a wicked storyteller, I have been influenced by music and stories since I was born. I love a lilting ballad, or a funky dance tune and I’m a sucker for a meaty tale, so it is no surprise that my songwriting is inspired from experience, imagination and playfulness, also the desire to connect with my audience.
I write about life’s experiences, finding a narrative to impart positive energy and hope and the importance to have fun – ‘I’d rather smile than frown when I’m down and I’d rather laugh than cry when I’m high…’, even on the toughest day.
Some songs are biographical, some are imagined fable, others are influences, thoughts, dreams and partial truths – All inspired from the universe of life, designed to uplift, comfort, guide and heal.
Harmonies are really important to me, so I love weaving through my songs and adding a mix of colour and texture with my own backing vocals.
My influences and inspirations are hugely varied from the classical, operatic and sacred genres as well as the iconic sounds of the 1940’s to the present day, but my heart belongs to the folk music traditions, including country, modern and ambient.
Each of my songs is a soundscape full of code words and symbols and secrets, hints to my sources – my history.
Principally, I am a folk singer, songwriter, musician – bringing together the elements of the human, the divine, the magical and the mundane, the mystical and the spiritual, in the hope of highlighting the privilege of our existence, our journey.
So, I hope you will enjoy and resonate to the soundscapes of my music, the guidance of the text and the celebration of song.
‘… this life is a privilege, both a challenge and an adventure…’