If you’ve ever caught a movie in Chapel Hill, tuned into college station 88.1, or simply relaxed in a local café, there’s a chance you’ve already heard the work of neighborhood musician Alex Russo without even realizing it. His songs have found their way into radio interludes, theater soundscapes, and even the background of local businesses. With a growing catalog of tracks and the ability to compose new ones, Alex enjoys seeing his music woven into everyday life in ways both big and small.

These days, the 31-year-old Raleigh native is working to make those connections even stronger. With a growing collection of polished tracks and the ability to compose new ones on demand, Alex hopes more individuals and businesses will see him as their go-to for music—whether it’s for a commercial, video, event, or simply the right background vibe. It’s a natural next step for someone who’s been chasing sound for most of his life.

Alex grew up in Anderson Heights and has lived in the neighborhood for the past eight years, though his roots in the area stretch back further. He attended both Sacred Heart and St. Raphael’s, and graduated from Broughton. Alex grew up in scouts at the Raleigh Moravian Church, starting as a Cub Scout and working his way up to Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, he built benches for Brooks Avenue Church of Christ—a hands-on way to give back to the community and a first real lesson in the satisfaction of creating something meaningful with his own hands. Along the way he worked a handful of jobs—a few years as a mechanic at the Five Points Service Center, a stretch at Third Place coffee shop (where he still jumps behind the counter if they need a hand), and even refinishing furniture and painting. Through it all, music was always the constant.

His journey began at age nine with the bass, and by eleven, after eight straight hours on his first electric guitar, he knew this was more than a hobby—it was his calling. From that day forward, the guitar became an extension of himself, a coping mechanism through life’s ups and downs. To this day, he practices three to four hours daily. By the time he was 23, he made the decision to pursue music full time, sharing tracks on SoundCloud and Bandcamp, collaborating with singers and rappers both local and abroad, and building friendships within Raleigh’s creative scene through the now-closed Imurj in downtown.

Alex’s catalog now includes two albums: Dark Art, a hip hop project driven by MPC and turntables, and Electric Heaven (now on Spotify), which layers his live guitar, bass, keys, and drums into a soulful blend of jazz fusion, rock, and funk. His inspirations are just as wide-ranging—Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, J Dilla, Madlib, Utopia, Azymuth, Gato Barbieri, and even 311—resulting in music that’s equal parts groove and experimentation.

His home studio is the hub of it all: five electric guitars, two acoustics, a bass, keyboards, a vintage Yamaha synth, and a custom-built PC with professional software that allows him to create nearly any sound imaginable. What once required a high-end recording studio can now be done from his desk, and Alex takes full advantage of that accessibility.

Outside of music, he’s deeply connected to his neighborhood. Alex finds just as much joy in community as he does in composing; whether volunteering to remove invasive plants at Fallon Park, chatting with neighbors over coffee, or spending holidays with his big Italian family—complete with food, card games, and plenty of laughter. He’s also passionate about giving time and conversation to Raleigh’s homeless community, recognizing the dignity in listening and connecting beyond surface-level encounters.

For Alex, our neighborhood is more than just home—it’s a source of inspiration. From the oak trees and fox sightings to the community spirit at local spots, he finds endless inspiration. It’s here that his creativity thrives, whether in the form of a soulful guitar line or a bold new idea for a neighbor’s furniture project. The next time you hear music at a local business, on the radio, or even before a movie, you just might recognize the sound of our own Alex Russo. For neighbors or businesses interested in weaving music into their own projects, Alex is always open to collaborating. He can be reached at alrusso94@yahoo.com.