Alex Radus is a singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania. Hailed as a “Skilled Fretman” and “Versatile Crooner,” but self-described as a “Purveyor of genre whiplash,” Radius’s art is both musically remarkable and extremely relevant.

On the 24th of February, Radius released a Nu-protest song; the first protest song in his repertoire. Alex Radus’s single is the indie-folk protest version of 2023’s ‘Rich Men Of North Virginia’. It’s a song for the people who see the world in its true state, through the lens of lived experience. With his stunningly unique (yet effortless) timbre and expert tension-building techniques, “Where Liberty Lies” is both a powerful and locked-in sonic expression inside a bear-it-all lyrical-literature box.

In the single, the harmonies are sparse (…at first). We wait for more of them like we wait for dawn to break. Eventually, it turns into a full display of colors, like a sunrise over the Atlantic. But what is even more vivid and meaningful are his words. Many of them could act as stand-alone one-liners. Furthermore, they place today’s socio-political climate on full display.

Two of the most affecting being “Till it’s an act of rebellion to believe your own eyes” and “The people starting matches told us fire doesn’t burn.”

Waves of poetry, softened post-punk, and towering vocals coalesce into the sound that is ‘Where Liberty Lies’. It’s one part nostalgic, two parts pain, and three parts call for revolution…and Alex Radus’ voice was the spark that started the flame.

The effortless swinging acoustic guitar and British-invasion-tinged vocals segway into visuals of flowing blue paint… ‘Where Liberty Lies’ was released along with a grassroots/DIY music video, which showcases nearly 50 people making handmade lyric protest signs.

And the first sign that the artist held up? It contains that disconcerting opening lyric, an open-and-shut case: “We watched it happen”.

“Music is my way of being in the world.”

When was the first moment you realized you would be writing ‘Where Liberty Lives’? Where were you, and what were you doing?

I had a gig the day Alex Pretti was murdered. I love performing, but that night it felt trivial. I knew I couldn’t perform again without having something to say. My next show was a few days away. So I got to writing.

In his book 1984, George Orwell wrote: “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” I wanted to apply Orwell’s words to the current moment, and explore how we can rebel against that command.

The first lyrical and melodic hook came:
And so he lies and lies and lies
Till it’s an act of rebellion to trust your own eyes

That set the theme of the song, and it followed from there.

How do you warm up your vocals? When did you first start singing, and what is your relationship to singing? It’s so natural, your delivery.

Music is my way of being in the world. Singing is the most immediate expression of that. But a few years ago I could barely sing because of singer’s GERD. I felt like I was losing part of my identity.

I had to change everything – my warmups, but also my diet, my response to stress, etc. I worked with a fantastic vocal coach – Megan Durham of Respire Vocal Wellness. She helped me merge yoga and mindfulness into my singing. I’m really happy with my instrument again, and I’m much more aware of how my lifestyle affects it.

My warmups include proper hydration, alternate nostril breathing (a pranayama technique) while humming, and a form of meditation that places sound throughout the body. And no alcohol for about 3-5 days before.

Did you listen to any old protest songs as you were writing this? If so, which ones inspired you?

Yes and no. I don’t listen to comp songs when I’m writing because I don’t want to be influenced. I intentionally didn’t listen to Streets of Minneapolis before I wrote Where Liberty Lives.

Before writing ‘Liberty,’ I co-wrote ‘Greenland Is Your Land’ with Joe Flood – an update to ‘This Land Is Your Land.’ We debuted it at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, PA. The whole audience sang along. That inspired me to consider what else I had to say.

I was thinking of Dolores O’Riordan’s (The Cranberries) vocal delivery while singing Liberty – her attack and bite and her open, unflinching vowels. ‘Liberty’ also has some clear nods to U2. Both bands have a socially conscious element to their songwriting, and came of age in a divided country, so the homage felt right.

What was it like working with Eric Balkey and getting your message heard through hundreds of radio stations?

I’m not sure if this would have happened without Eric. He saw me debut the song, and said he wanted to promote it to radio. The catch? He needed a final master in 6 days.

The next night I played ‘Where Liberty Lives’ in a rural pub in Pennsylvania. The atmosphere was electric and I got a standing ovation. Eric was there too. We knew the song needed to be heard.

We’re still mid-stream in the radio promo process, but the response has been fantastic. Eric is a real pro. I’ve received numerous personal notes from DJs expressing their support.

What can we do to make the world better amidst, well, everything?

Gooood question…Here’s what I’ll say from my perspective. Most people in the US live in blue or red areas. I live in a purple one. My rural PA town was actually featured in the New York Times for being almost exactly 50/50 in the 2020 election. And 2024 was no different.

It’s not always easy, but we live together. Our kids play on the same sports teams. We go to concerts and church and community events together. When real people are in the real world sharing space, there’s usually a baseline level of civility. It’s the virtual world where that falls apart. Because civility doesn’t get clicks and eyeballs.

I think we’re (slowly) getting more mindful of that. We have to be together in person to see it.

And we need leadership that encourages people to be the best versions of themselves. Right now we have the exact opposite.

And more music. Live. In person. Together.

Lastly, what did it feel like to speak the unabridged truth, with such a supportive community behind you?

My hope for my songs is always that they grow beyond me and fly on their own. It’s been wonderful to see that happen here. One by one, people lent their hands to support the message.

This whole community of family, friends and music lovers came together to create the video. In six days almost 50 people helped make over 75 handmade lyric protest signs. Some made their signs at home. Almost 40 of us gathered together at a local farm to create the rest.

And the video is REALLY resonating with people. The organic sharing online has been amazing.

I’ve been getting calls and emails from people berating me for making them cry – haha. I was expecting a different kind of berating… And that will come too. Speaking out is challenging, and potentially risky, in this environment. And that’s why we have to do it. Knowing how meaningful the song is to others will carry me.

Headline photo: Tina Pastor

Alex Radus Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube