Making Music: An Alumni Interview with Alex McFarland '18

From the band room at Breck to the music scenes of Minneapolis and the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), Alex McFarland ’18 has been intentionally crafting a unique musical identity. Director of Alumni Engagement Brian Sobas recently sat down with Alex to discuss his creative process, his musical roots, and the exciting details behind his upcoming album.

Brian Sobas: Let’s start with the basics. Can you introduce yourself, share your graduation year, and let me know where you are located now?

Alex McFarland: My name is Alex McFarland. I graduated from Breck in 2018, and I currently live in the DMV area of Virginia.

Brian Sobas: You released a project in March of 2025. Tell me about it. What inspired you?

Alex McFarland: Yes, it is an album, or a project, called Soil. It is an introspective journey about building the foundation for the type of person you want to become and the energy you want to project out into the world. To do that, the first thing you must undertake is building the groundwork, which is the soil. I used that analogy because you need to lay a good foundation before you can grow a garden to present to the world.

Brian Sobas: Did you collaborate with other artists in your area, or how did you find people to work with in order to make the project happen?

Alex McFarland: Some of the collaborators were actually from my Breck class of 2018. We have kept in touch and just kept making music together. But this project was a personal challenge to create something independent. I wanted to see if I could complete a project like that from start to finish. I handled most of the heavy lifting. I produced the songs and learned to mix and master them. I wouldn't say I was great at it at the time, but it was all about challenging myself to learn.

Brian Sobas: Soil was a two-year project that you were working on, and how did you draw inspiration during that time?

Alex McFarland: For this project, inspiration came from doing a lot of internal mental work. I wanted to be more intentional about my thoughts and processes. I even researched actual soil and how to build a healthy foundation, because you can easily create a garden that ends up being fruitless. It was about understanding myself, the good and the bad, as opposed to just going through life on autopilot.

Musically, the inspiration came from living life, the people around me, and listening to hip-hop and neo-soul. I played jazz at Breck, and my dad is from New Orleans, so it's deeply intertwined with my upbringing. The opening track actually starts with a jazz feel.

Brian Sobas: I listened to it again today, and I really loved that intro. Okay, Alex, you recently had a show at the Acadia in Minneapolis. What does your touring schedule look like right now?

Alex McFarland: Out here in the DMV, I have been getting familiar with the scene, performing at open mics, doing network events, and playing shows. Right now, I am in a transition phase with touring because I have been entirely focused on my next project. This next one is a true studio album with full studio instruments, vocals, and high-quality mixing and mastering. Once it is finished, I plan to be out performing in several different areas.

Brian Sobas: Can you tell us a bit about this new project? Do you have a timeline for the release?

Alex McFarland: Yes, I can tell you that it is coming out very soon on June 11th. It touches on personal growth again, but this time it is much more positive, uplifting, and story-driven. The album is called Smile. There are always a lot of challenges and ups and downs in life, but this project is about doing the work to find your genuine smile, whether that is an internal peace or the joy you share with your friends.

Brian Sobas: That is incredible. Where can people go to find your music when it drops?

Alex McFarland: The best hub for everything is my Linktree, accessible through my Instagram. It will be available on all major streaming platforms, and I will also release some visual content on YouTube.

Brian Sobas: If you could collaborate with any artist, alive or historical, who would it be and why?

Alex McFarland: For a living artist, it would be a dream come true to work with Pharrell Williams or someone like Rick Rubin. Pharrell is just the architect. He knows how to turn an artist into an instrument and bring out your absolute best creative ideas. For a past artist, I would say Bob Marley. His music brings so much relaxed, positive energy, and it completely changes the way a listener feels. I would love to be able to do that for people.

Brian Sobas: To wrap things up, are there any Breck faculty or staff members you want to give a special shout-out to for the newsletter?

Alex McFarland: That is a tough question because so many staff members shaped my experience. I feel like I would be doing them a disservice if I left anyone out, so I have to include them all. I can't play favorites because they all truly taught me, rather than just giving me information. They shaped who I am as a person.

How to Support Alex

• New Album: Smile releases on June 11th.
• Where to Listen: Follow Alex on Instagram to find his Linktree, which connects to all streaming platforms and upcoming YouTube video content.
• Please note: Soil has a Parental Advisory label if you are an alum listening with your young kids.