I don’t know much about Alex York. The first time I heard of him was at the Japan Block Fair in May when he covered the New York Street Ramen Contest for Fujisankei Television. But last night I had the opportunity to learn more about the singer/songwriter by attending his special concert and video shoot at SIR Studios as the guest of Asian Pop Culture Examiner May S. Young.
A native New Yorker with a shock of white hair, York has an affinity for Japan. In response to the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disasters in Northeastern Japan on March 11 of last year, York pledged to donate 20% of his profits to Tohoku’s ongoing relief and recovery efforts. He also co-wrote with Jeff Franzel the song “Change,” which he performs in Japanese.



York performed “Change” last night, as well as five other rock/pop songs, to an intimate gathering of excited fans – mainly screaming young women. His show was high-energy, and his personality was engaging. He was attentive to his fans, calling one young woman “the best fan in the world” and pointing out that he was wearing a bracelet she gave him at Bamboozle Music Festival last year.
Nippon Television interviewed York and his fans and recorded the concert, which will air in Japan on the TV show “Waratte Koraete.”


