Finding a passion in music
By the time Alex Trail (1998-2008) reached secondary school, he was well on his way to making a significant mark in music. Playing the saxophone and drums, he was a constant performer in most of the school’s bands and ensembles, gaining triple colours for music and colours for service on the way.
In 2007, with William Green (1999-2008) and Andrew Szetho (2005-10), Alex formed a heavy metal rock band, the life of which extended way beyond their school days. Alex commenced an arts degree and diploma in language courses at the University of Melbourne in 2009 and continued to write songs for the band. A “demo” extended play CD was cut in Sydney and the band performed around Australia.
Garnering success
Re-branded as Storm the Sky in 2010, the band recorded again that year and in 2011. Their Vigilance extended play CD received a number of awards in 2012 in Australian music publications for “Best EP” and “Best Newcomer”. Interest was being shown from the United States, New Zealand and Japan and the band supported headline acts on tours of both Australia and New Zealand. 2013 saw the band in Arizona and a full-length CD Permanence led to label endorsement by Warner Brothers in the UK, Rise in the USA and UNFD/New World Artists in Australia. They were featured on BBC Radio in prime time and received heavy coverage from renowned music publications Rolling Stone, Kerrang, Rock Sound, Blunt and more which gave coverage to the 2013-2014 tour around Australia and overseas, this time playing in major venues. In mid-2015, they played for seven weeks in Brunswick workshopping their follow-up record and most successful CD Sin Will Find You, which was later picked up for distribution by Sony.
In 2016, the band gained a Top 30 ARIA ranking and Sin Will Find You was the number one digital record for a month, gaining excellent reviews in major publications. It was off to the USA and New Zealand again in 2016 and the making of several music videos prior to playing the festivals tour in January 2017. Music from the band’s catalogue was also picked up to soundtrack the acclaimed Australian drama series Wentworth as well as home favourite Home and Away.
Pursuing accountancy
Needing to supplement his income, Alex had begun part-time work with the National Australia Bank in 2014 in settlements and account management. As the NAB recognized Alex’s abilities, work grew in time and responsibility. In 2017, he left the band and began a full-time role in managing change and implementation and embracing regulatory change.
Branching out to fashion
Banking and rock music were not enough to exhaust Alex’s talents. In 2017, together with a business partner, he established an online fashion label TOKA-MI, marketing tailor-made, high-fashion, unisex street wear, focussing on craftsmanship and quality rather than branding. The label was launched at a function in September, 2017, and is doing well.
So now it is banking and fashion. Although he is no longer a drummer in a heavy metal rock band, rumour has it that Alex has dusted off his saxophone, is doing some practice, and he might just be heard as a guest artist with a jazz band later in 2018.
Read more about our alumni involved in music:
Feature photo by Alexander Yemchenko on Unsplash.
