Matt Alber is one of the few openly gay singer songwriters out there. His video for “End of the World” may have one of the most romantic endings our community has seen on Youtube. He heads to the coast for a very important tour. End of the World

Hello, Matt. I can’t stop watching your video for “End of the World.” Tell me about your background.

I am glad you like it. I grew up in the Midwest, in St. Louis. I was born in Wichita, Kansas. I was always a choir geek. I started singing in choirs when I was a little kid. I went to school for classical music after high school. I was always on the fence between classical and pop music. I loved singing Handel Arias and then Billy Joel. I did both on my senior recital. I continued that practice onto my adulthood. I moved to California after college to join a group called Chanticleer and toured for five years with that professional group. They have twelve members and they are a full time classical group. I got to sing in a choir for a living, which I didn’t think was possible. We made a bunch of records for Warner Brothers. Two of them won Grammys when I was with the group.

That must have been an experience.

It was. Then I decided to start writing solo songs. I left Chanticleer and maxed out all of my credit cards, bought a computer, some recording equipment and hired a tutor. It was time to start writing my own music. That was in 2003. I released my first record on Tommy Boy in 2008. They helped me make that video that you saw. Nowadays I don’t work with a label anymore and I am working on my own. That video spurred enough interest for people to come and see me sing. I started touring about a year and a half ago. I very made the transition into full time touring so that is all I do now. I give solo concerts and write songs. It is basically a freaking dream come true.

What a journey!

Yes, it is cool because there are a lot of people writing music now. Before an artist had to have a record deal or someone had to discover you, now with computers and software everybody can make records in their bedroom now. I think that is really exciting. Part of what I do is encourage people to be creative in general. Hopefully when people come to a concert they get inspired.

You seem very positive about the music business.

You caught me at a good time! (laughs) I am really happy. I just moved to Seattle. I live on a tiny little island just off of Seattle called Vashon. I moved there with my boyfriend and two pups. I have a beautiful place to write music.

You will have to leave Paradise Island to go on tour!

I am very excited about three different dates in California. I will be in San Diego, San Francisco and LA.

Are you a fan of Rufus Wainwright?

Oh yeah, I love Rufus!

Your sound is similar to him in some ways.

Some people say that. I am totally flattered. He is a great songwriter. I just started working with a new booking agent and I am convincing them that it is possible, like Rufus, to be a gay singer/songwriter, be out onstage and be successful in the music industry. They booked a bunch of shows around the country. This shows in California are out to prove to them that a gay artist can sell at a mainstream venue.

The pressure is on!

Yes, it is so get the word out.

Hopefully it is not the “End of the World” for you! What is the meaning behind that song?

For me it is like The Star Spangled Banner. The end of the song is a question. Being in love can feel like a roller coaster sometimes and you are always wondering if this is really going to last or am I capable. All those questions are going through your mind. The last line leaves it open ended. “If there is nothing left then why are you holding on to me like it’s the end of the world?” Hopefully when people walk away from the song they will have hope that love can happen.

People can go to http://www.mattalber.com/matt.htm and find out more about you.

Yes, my whole album streams from there. I hang out on Facebook a lot and love to talk to people that are coming to the shows.  I like the feedback to songs people want to hear. I hear stories like I brought my boyfriend and proposed to him at your show.

Sounds like a very emotional time to see you live and in concert.

Not only that but in each city a portion of the ticket sales will go to local organizations to make life better for the next generation of LGBT leaders.