As I crossed paths with Abraham Alexander in the hallowed halls of The Old Church in Portland, his excitement for the upcoming show was palpable, conveyed in the warmth of our brief embrace. It wasn't my first encounter with this remarkable artist; I've had the privilege of witnessing his talent unfurl on stage three times now, each occasion leaving an indelible mark on my soul.

Set against the backdrop of The Old Church's intimate ambiance, Alexander's resounding gospel-esque voice reverberated through the wooden pews, finding its home among the rafters adorned with a majestic pipe organ. It felt fitting that he should grace such sacred ground for his first headlining tour, offering a deeply personal narrative woven into the fabric of his latest album, "Sea/Sons."

The evening unfolded as a poignant odyssey, with Alexander sharing intimate glimpses into his life's tapestry – from his origins in Greece to the tender moments spent with his family by the ocean, immortalized on the album's cover. The audience, hushed and reverent, hung on his every word, the shutter of my camera echoing like a punctuation mark in the solemn silence.

Family, a recurring motif in Alexander's music, served as the thematic bedrock of the evening. Emotions ran high as he delved into the depths of loss and longing, each note a cathartic release of pent-up sorrow. Yet, amidst the heartache, there were also songs of celebration – of enduring love and timeless bonds that defy the passage of time.

As the night unfolded, I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of emotions, grappling with the complexities of my own relationships in the wake of Alexander's soul-stirring performance. And through it all, he exuded a palpable sense of love – for his craft, for his audience, and for the human experience itself.

By the show's end, the once-reserved crowd was transformed, their spirits uplifted and arms outstretched to the heavens as Alexander declared, "I'm taking you to church!" And indeed, we were swept away on a tidal wave of emotion, buoyed by his infectious energy and unwavering authenticity.

The evening culminated in not one, but two encores, with Alexander's impassioned rendition of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Games" serving as a fitting finale to a night of musical transcendence. And true to form, he lingered long after the final notes had faded, graciously greeting each fan with a genuine warmth that spoke volumes of his character.

In Abraham Alexander, I found not just a talented musician, but a beacon of hope and humanity in a world often shrouded in darkness. And as I left The Old Church that night, heart full and spirits soaring, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the privilege of bearing witness to his extraordinary journey.

Stand out songs:
(all of them, seriously, all of them)
”Xavier”
”Stay”
”Bella Dawn”
”Deja Vu”
”Blood Under the Bridge”
”Knee Deep”
”Eye Can See”
”Lovers Game”

photos by Julia Varga