Artist Feature: Alejandro Albright-Reveles

Pictured left to right: Alejandro Albright-Reveles playing bass for No Mars, lead singer Teddy Lim (by Jackson Young, March 1st, 2024)

On the night of March 1st, the 20-year-old musician and student, Alejandro Albright Reveles, serenaded the Viking Union Multipurpose Room on bass as the audience sang back the words to local band No Mars’ popular song “Adrianna.” 

No Mars is one of nine musical groups and collectives Albright-Reveles performs in. Three are school-related. At Western Washington University, Albright-Reveles performs in Jazz big band, wind symphony, and a saxophone quartet. Outside of school, he plays live instrumentation on alto and tenor saxophone for hip-hop artist Dank Zavala, saxophone and bass for band No Mars, bass for band Girl Parallel and the Perpendiculars, bass for The Problem Collective, bass for artist and emcee Martii MC-Fly, and formerly saxophone for the now disbanded Atomic Affair. 

As a prominent participant in the Bellingham music scene, Albright-Reveles said that his goal is to keep the Bellingham music scene as a support system for people to create and share. “Just knowing that there is a space for musicians to share their music is what I would want the most,” said Albright-Reveles. “Just knowing that there continues to be multiple spaces for musicians to share their music and that those spaces stay, where we can continue to celebrate music.” 

In addition to his extensive music career, Albright-Reveles studies music education with plans to become a music teacher. He references a color-coded calendar as his "saving grace” when it comes to staying true to all his commitments. Each color represents a specific commitment, whether it be a class or a gig with one of his bands.  

Despite his full calendar, Albright-Reveles manages to stay motivated.  

“Motivation for music has to come from within you,” said Albright-Reveles. "It has to be self-motivated because in music, you don’t have a boss. Nobody is going to tell you to get up and go to rehearsal. You have to really want to do it.”  

Another motivator for Albright-Reveles is the meaningful connections he has made through music. Albright-Reveles said that these connections have been made with people he makes music with, as well as the crowds he performs for. One such connection is Riley McMonigle, guitarist for No Mars, whom Albright-Reveles met over a year ago. 

“I was jamming with Teddy and Jordan, two other No Mars members,” said McMonigle.  “Although, this was well before No Mars was even a thing. [Teddy and Jordan] invited  [Albright-Reveles] to come jam with us. I started playing Smells Like Teen Spirit, but kind of weird, and he just started ripping the sax. It was sick.” 

McMonigle said that a few months after the initial jam session, No Mars needed a bassist, and Albright-Reveles was a “no brainer” as an addition to the band because of his ability to play  both saxophone and bass. 

“There’s no better bassist than one who can also shred on the sax,” said McMonigle.

Alejandro Albright-Reveles playing bass at No Mars practice (by Riley McMonigle)

Albright-Reveles said that getting involved in all his bands is a matter of being in the  right place at the right time, encouraging aspiring musicians to reach out to people they know who may already be making music. 

Darius Trinidad, Albright-Reveles' friend and roommate, said that Albright-Reveles can bring people together in the music scene because of how many people he knows, highlighting the importance of forming connections. 

“You should reach out to them and create something beautiful together,” Albright Reveles said on making connections. “Don’t let your ego get in the way of reaching out, don’t let your anxiety or what you think your level of playing is get in the way of reaching out and creating with the people around us.” 

As for his own performance anxiety, Albright-Reveles said that he is never too afraid, but there should always be some level of anxiety because a performer should care about the music  they are playing. He also advises performers to stay as calm as possible, especially in the  sometimes-chaotic environment of a local house show.  

According to Albright-Reveles, when pursuing music, it is important to remember that “it’s not about you,” and that the music should speak for itself. “There shouldn’t be a want for the glory. It should just be music,” Albright-Reveles said. 

Albright-Reveles presents musicians with two questions, urging potential performers not  to make the music about themselves. He asks, “What can you do for the group? ...What can you do for the music?”  

Trinidad said that if there is one thing people should know about Albright-Reveles, it’s that he is a caring person. 

“He cares about what he’s doing,” said Trinidad. “So, whether it be music or the way he interacts with you, or school... he really cares.” 

Albright-Reveles' tendency to deeply care about things is evident in his approach to performing music and his goal of keeping the Bellingham music scene alive as a support system. 

What music represents for Albright-Reveles is emotions and creative freedom. 

“[Music is] full of emotions,” said Albright-Reveles. “[It’s] kind of like freedom, a freeing feeling. Just being able to use your creativity.”