Caravan Records to release On A Dare, the debut album of EXPAT

 

CHARLOTTE N.C: In On A Dare, EXPAT, a son-father collaboration, has created a debut record that could be described as Michael Buble meets Todd Rundgren. This captivating and soulful collection of songs, centered around Ethan Alexander’s powerful voice, propulsive piano styling and melodic songwriting, will be released on all streaming platforms on October 21st, 2025. 

Ethan’s father, veteran singer-songwriter Matthew Alexander, produced and arranged the record and contributed guitar, organ, and vocal harmonies throughout. Seasoned jazz musicians Al Sergel IV and Ron Brendle add drums and bass while session musician Glen Alexander (no relation) plays violin and mandolin on several tunes.

Recorded at Grammy award winning studio GAT3 in Charlotte, On A Dare, showcases a clean, acoustic sound impeccably engineered, mixed and mastered by recording engineer Wade Starnes. In a market glutted with generic, sound-alike music, On A Dare  stands apart as a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted, well-sung songs as well as the power of family connection.

Ethan, the grandson of New York City concert pianist and symphonic composer Josef Alexander, has been  playing piano since he was 6. He began singing professionally at age 8 as a member of the Charlotte based St. Peter’s Choir. He further honed his vocal skills as a member of the nationally recognized Jazz Arts Initiative and has appeared on multiple stages throughout the East Coast, both as a soloist and choir member. As for his vocal influences, Ethan says, “I have been influenced by such great vocalists as Frank Sinatra, Brian Wilson and Billy Joel.”

EXPAT has been honing their sound for many years, gathered around the home Steinway piano and appearing on stages and living rooms throughout North Carolina. Ethan’s father,  Matthew Alexander, has recorded eight CDs prior to On A Dare. Known for his finger-picking guitar style, Matthew’s music has been compared favorably to Mark Knopfler, Kris Kristofferson, James Taylor and John Prine. “As much as I have enjoyed working on my own albums, I have always wanted to stretch my wings and produce and arrange other artists’ records. I found the perfect opportunity under my own roof”, Matthew says.

The 12 songs on the album consist of nine original songs by Ethan and three covers of lesser-known Beach Boy classics. The original songs were all written during Ethan’s four years at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. “St. Andrews is a very atmospheric college town, facing the North Sea and far away from my home in Charlotte. The relative isolation of this part of the world was heightened during the pandemic when the University and the town of St. Andrews itself shut down. During my four college years, I felt a range of emotions from homesickness, heartbreak to love and exhilaration, all of which are reflected in my songs.” 

Ethan’s original tunes range from wistful coming of age songs such as “Little Joe Rider” and “My Old Friend” to the up-tempo post-breakup song “Alive.” As a history major at university, Ethan was well-qualified to compose the song “Time Goes On” which encapsulates the major historic events of the twentieth century in four minutes. “Bottles of Tanqueray”, the first single from the record will drop on all major platforms on October 21. 2025. On A Dare is slated for a full album release on November 11, 2025.

On A Dare sparkles with tight harmonies, intricate interplay between piano and guitar and sophisticated musicality. Ethan’s voice soars on songs such as “It’s a Town”, “Spring Leaves” and “I’m Your Guy.” As Ethan states, “While my Dad is a huge Beatles fan, I have always favored the Beach Boys. As such it was a natural choice to include three songs by the Beach Boys on this record.”  These three songs, “Aren’t You Glad”, “Caroline No” and “Till I Die” embed very naturally into the pristine sound of On A Dare. With their unique son-father collaboration and infectious songs, EXPAT scores big with their debut album.

 

(704) 371-3070

matthew@alexandertherapy.com

BOTTLES OF TANQUERAY Words and music by Ethan Alexander

 

Key of Eb

 

(Guitar, piano, bass, drums, Koto (World A089), Rock Organ (A072)

 

(16 measure intro)

 

Verse 1

 

Whoa, whoa

 

Bottles of Tanqueray

 

Fill my dreams at night

 

Window shades they slowly close

 

This town’s doing all right

 

Oh you go away

 

But it’s another day

 

And there’s nothing more to say

 

You’ve all been led astray

 

Verse 2

 

Well the night time 

 

Just goes right on

 

There’s movement

 

On the lawn

 

Oh I don’t know how

 

But you’ve got me off the rocker now

 

And I know it’s so

 

That I don’t want to let you go

 

And I hope that you know

 

That I love you so

 

Oh, oh, oh


Whoa whoa

 

Verse 3

 

How do I love you?

 

How do I know you care?

 

Oh I adore you


But there’s nothing for me for you

 

Well I walked and walked for miles and miles

 

Baby are you happy now?

 

But it’s just a game

 

So I’ll put it all just the same

 

And I hope that you remain

 

And I’ll try to remain tame

 

A a ame

 

And sane

 

Verse 4

 

Bottle of Tanqueray

 

Fill my dreams at night

 

Oh oh no

 

Please don’t go 

 

whoa, whoa, whoa

 

(8 intro then retard)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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