Following a tumultuous life-altering journey that involved an IVF embryo mix-up in 2019 (https://www.today.com/today/ | https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/ | https://www.eonline.com/news/), singer-songwriter Alexander Cardinale has returned with renewed purpose, after a six year hiatus, with a powerful modernized cover of Cat Stevens’ 1971 hit “Peace Train” (Stevens’ version: https://m.youtube.com/watch | Cardinale’s version: https://m.youtube.com/watch).
Cardinale previously steadily released music since 2009, including 2017 single “Made For You” (https://m.youtube.com/watch) which garnered placement on Coke bottles for Coca-Cola’s ‘Share A Coke And A Song’ ad campaign as well as 2019’s “Simple Things,” (https://m.youtube.com/watch), a successful Top 10 charting duet with Christina Perri. He has also shared the stage with Pentatonix and Melissa Etheridge and landed songs in One Tree Hill, Castle, Ghost Whisper.
In this interview with OOTB, Cardinale discusses his return to music and future plans.
After personal trials and tribulations in 2019 and overcoming through resilience while dedicating time to your family, what was it that made you turn to music, after putting things on hold, and how did you choose "Peace Train" as the comeback release?
I was a different person in late 2019. My entire paradigm—how I saw the world, my priorities, my goals—was completely different. I was still in work and achieve mode, laser-focused on my career. I was on my second major record deal, determined—like a pit bull with a tire—to succeed. At the time, that meant getting a hit song at radio, and it seemed like I was on track. My duet with Christina Perri was gaining momentum and I was scheduled to go on a promotional tour as soon as our second daughter was born.
The plan was simple: take a couple of weeks to be with my newborn and family, then hit the road—playing live at Spotify, Apple, SiriusXM, and key terrestrial stations supporting the song. But two weeks turned into three, then four… and, of course, I never went on that tour. Instead, I found myself navigating an unprecedented emotional turmoil that would ultimately redefine my entire world.
The personal gauntlet my family endured, combined with the global upheaval of the pandemic, made 2020 and 2021 uniquely transformative years. They remade me. They reshaped me. I let go of the idea that superficial success or external achievement held any real meaning—let alone necessity. So, I shut that part of myself down. I took three years off from posting on social media. I rarely recorded music. My 24/7 focus became being a full-time, stay-at-home parent. My family became my sole purpose—my religion.
It’s not lost on me that there’s a parallel between my journey and Cat Stevens’. He stepped away from music for religious reasons; I stepped away because my entire sense of purpose had shifted.
What ultimately brought me back to music wasn’t ambition. It wasn’t about career. It was the world—the overwhelming division, the constant conflict. My return wasn’t personal; it came from a higher place. I truly felt that the world needed this message again, and that I was in a unique position to be the messenger.
Were there other songs you were considering?
None. This was a singular idea. It was always about the message of this song at this time.
Who are your greatest inspirations or influences--musically and personally in life?
Musically everything from Cat Stevens & Paul Simon to the Beatles and Coldplay. Personally I’m halfway through grad school and I eventually see myself doing more public/motivational speaking alongside my wife.
How have you and your music changed and evolved the most since your debut release "Sick Of Dreaming" in 2009?
Ha. I love that song. It was the start of how I began supporting my wife and I through sync placements on TV/Film/Com. But I was an angst riddled kid then, with something to prove—feels like a past life.
What are your hopes, goals, ambitions for the rest of 2025? Any time frames for more possible releases?
I’m been recording music about my dark/lost years. But, after "Peace Train," I think the next song up is a single I wrote about my enduring relationship with my wife. We’ll see how it goes.
Follow Alexander Cardinale
https://m.facebook.com/AlexanderCardinaleOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/xandermusic/
https://m.youtube.com/@officialxandermusic
Comments
Post a Comment