An Interview with Carlos Alomar

BY KEN BACHOR

The other day, I had the chance to sit down with Carlos Alomar to discuss some of his past and present projects.  Besides being the guitarist behind some of David Bowie’s best known classics, such as “Young Americans” and “Fame,” Alomar’s credits also include work with James Brown, Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.  Currently, Carlos is not only the President of the New York Chapter of the Grammys, but he is also a producer for Castle Point Records (which is a student-run record label associated with the Stevens Institute of Technology) and advanced guitar teacher at Stevens.

Carlos signed on to act as a producer for Castle Point Record’s first album after getting a call in early 2005 from New Jersey producer/friend Rob Harari of HaraiVille studios.  Harari, who was signed to produce on the album, asked Alomar if he would also be willing to produce for this project.  Even though he is known mainly as a performer, Carlos Alomar has produced on several occasions in the past.  He immediately agreed

with this deal because he wanted to find a musical “home base” after moving to New Jersey.  Alomar wanted to stay in the rock scene and knew that Harari would be the perfect person for this.  Even after this project was over, they formed a recording venture together and will be collaborating on further projects in the near future.

Carlos also thought that the structure of CPR itself was excellent.  “It’s a new model for the music industry,” Alomar remarked, “the fact that Castle Point was able to [produce] a compilation…you got the best of everything that they have to offer that is going in the same direction, so they are not misrepresenting anything.”  He added that because of this, “[the record company is] giving you exactly what you want.”  And because CPR is well funded, the students have a chance to work with the best equipment hands-on, earning the experience that is necessary to be proficient in the recording field. 

He also thought that the fact that CPR is based in a university environment is a great advantage.  Alomar pointed out that “you have a self-imposed target group right there, if they don’t like it then don’t put it out.”  He thought that because of this, CPR could “be able to tailor their product to the demand of the need.”  Carlos added that being designed for a specific market, CPR does not have to sell a mass amount of records to function.  He also liked the idea that all of the profits made on an album go back into the company to fund future projects, which makes CPR “very healthy.” 

CPR’s first album, which is expected to hit the shelves late this fall, is a compilation of various pop/rock bands.  Carlos produced two of these acts; one called John Connor, and the other, Last Perfect Thing (which he co-produced with Rob Harari). 

Even though these bands are considered to be pop/rock, they have elements that are different from that of most bands in that genre today.  They even have major elements that make them different from each other.  John Connor could be seen as being constructed around the singer, while Last Perfect Thing was centered around the whole band itself.  “As a producer,” Carlos said, “you have to put both of those things together.  You have to be able to work with a lead singer that is the band and a band that’s the band.”

Part of their sound was due to the advice that Carlos Alomar gave the bands regarding their technique.  Carlos explained that he helped the bands achieve certain sounds through techniques, such as guitar layering, the use of background vocals and by letting them use some of his own effects pedals for their songs.  Alomar stressed though that when “[in the studio], you never want to lose the identity of the band…You have to be delicate about your suggestions, you don’t want to morph them into something they’re not.  If there’s a hint of resistance, you got to back off…[Rob and I] are just there to facilitate getting the band to the next level.”

Taking Carlos Alomar’s tips into their own hands, the members of Last Perfect Thing and John Connor always practiced and “would just come back and nail it.”  From when they first entered the studio, they were ready to work.  As a result of their eagerness, it took less than a week to cut all of the songs for both bands combined.  “Their energy was focused on how to find themselves,” Alomar said, “I was very impressed with that.”

             Carlos was also very impressed with the amount of dedication that the Stevens students put into this project.  When asked about his experiences with the Stevens students, he remarked, “I had a lot of fun, they’re a happy bunch of guys…you can’t take

fun out of the equation, because it makes all the sense in the world.”  He added that each student also brings a unique “out of the box thinking” to the equation, which is topped by their readiness to also work.                                                              

            Besides being a producer for Castle Point Records, Carlos Alomar also teaches advanced guitar at Stevens.  After hearing his students rave about their guitar lessons, I had to ask him about the strategies that he uses as an educator.  “I show them different techniques, then they have to apply the techniques,” he remarked, “That way, they’re teaching themselves.”  The students then have to explore the fret board on their own, which leads them to create different pieces of music.  He stated that “music is a constant unfolding thing; every day brings a different possibility.”  But a musician must always apply him/herself to discover these possibilities. 

This, Alomar said, is what higher learning is about.  “Higher learning is about ‘I don’t want you to know what the answer is, I just want you to know what the formula is.’  I’m there to show you the formulas; you come up with the answers.  The answer will never be wrong if I give you the right formula.”  He then continued, “you go to school to learn how to teach yourself.  That way after you finish school, you continue teaching yourself more than you would ever be able to.”  So with these ideas in mind, a student is bound to achieve success, while constantly learning at the same time, which is most important.

On top of all of these pieces of advice, the one golden rule that Alomar stated is key for all musicians is to “learn how to listen.”  He stated that “it is the most

crucial part to understanding your place in a band.”  He then added “it’s not about overplaying or playing what you practice, it’s about listening.” 

            Carlos Alomar also said that one’s attitude is an equally important rule.  “There are a lot of musicians…What’s going to make me hire you? Attitude.  I’m there on time, I’m there ready to work, I got a smile on my face…no fighting, no resistance, no nothing…if another guy comes in and if he doesn’t have all that together, then he isn’t going to get the job.  Remember, there’s five guys for that one job.  You got to have to right attitude.  The ability to listen and the right attitude, those are the basics.”