{{Short description|American musician (born 1993)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Alex G | landscape = yes | image = Alex G, Fort Presented by Converse, SXSW 2015-7294 (25281945365).jpg | caption = Alex G performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas, 2015 | alias = (Sandy) Alex G (2017–2020) | birth_name = Alexander Giannascoli | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|02|03}} | birth_place = Havertown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| *Indie rock *folk rock *folktronica *lo-fi *DIY }} | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer-songwriter|record producer}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|drums|keyboards|bass|banjo|accordion}} | discography = Alex G discography | years_active = 2009–present | label = {{hlist|Domino|Run for Cover|Orchid Tapes|Lucky Number|RCA}} {{Infobox person | partner = Molly Germer (2017–present) | children = 1 | embed = yes | signature = Alex G sig.svg | website = {{URL|sandyalexg.com}} }} }} '''Alexander Giannascoli''' (born February 3, 1993), better known by his stage names '''Alex G''' or, formerly, '''(Sandy) Alex G''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2087978/sandy-alex-g-name-change/news/|title=Alex G Officially Drops the (Sandy)|author-first1=Chris|author-last1=DeVille|website=Stereogum|date=June 16, 2020}}</ref> is an American musician, producer, and singer-songwriter. During live performances, Alex G is joined by his longtime backing band, which features Sam Acchione (guitar), John Heywood (bass) and Tom Kelly (drums).
Giannascoli started his career playing in local bands before he decided to pursue a solo music career. At 17, he began to release his own music and released his first album under the name Alex G in 2010. His first solo work was DIY self-releases on Bandcamp before his label debut, ''DSU'' (2014), released on Orchid Tapes to critical acclaim from various publications. He later signed with Lucky Number, who reissued his earlier releases, ''Rules'' and ''Trick'' (2012).
In 2015, he signed with Domino Recording Company and released his sixth studio album, ''Beach Music''. He followed it in 2017 with ''Rocket'', which received further acclaim and recognition. Giannascoli's eighth studio album, ''House of Sugar'', was released in 2019. In 2022, Alex scored American director Jane Schoenbrun's film ''We're All Going to the World's Fair'', and later released his ninth album, ''God Save the Animals''. He signed with RCA Records in early 2024, and additionally scored Schoenbrun's ''I Saw the TV Glow''. His tenth album, ''Headlights'', was released on July 18, 2025.
==Early life and career== Giannascoli was born on February 3, 1993, in Havertown, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb.<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|first1=Marcy|last1=Donelson|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sandy-alex-g-mn0003292911/biography|title=(Sandy) Alex G {{!}} Biography & History |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> His father's family originates from Abruzzo in Southern Italy.<ref name="Rumore">{{cite interview |interviewer-first1=Stefania|interviewer-last1=Ianne|subject-first1=Alex|subject-last1=Giannascoli|url=https://rumoremag.com/2019/09/14/intervista-sandy-alex-g-house-of-sugar-album/|title=Intervista a (Sandy) Alex G: "Il mio processo creativo è far girare i dadi, fino quando ti dici: oh eccolo!"|website=Rumore |date=September 14, 2019 |access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> At age 11, he learned how to play the guitar that his older brother gave him and began recording music.<ref name="Fader">{{cite web |last=McDermott |first=Patrick |url=http://www.thefader.com/2014/05/01/who-is-alex-g-meet-the-internets-secret-best-songwriter |title=Who is Alex G? Meet the Internet's Secret Best Songwriter |work=The Fader |date=May 1, 2014 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite interview |interviewer-last=V. |interviewer-first=Alexis |subject-first1=Alex|subject-last1=Giannascoli|date=2014 |title=Where Is My Mind?: Alex G |url=http://philadelphia.thedelimagazine.com/16929/where-my-mind-alex-g |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603111104/http://philadelphia.thedelimagazine.com/16929/where-my-mind-alex-g |archive-date=Jun 3, 2023 |website=The Deli}}</ref> While attending Haverford High School, Giannascoli made two albums that he shared with friends.<ref name="Philly">{{cite web |last=DeLuca |first=Dan |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dan_deluca/20141207_Alex_G__One-man_band_a_Philly_indie_success_story.html |title=Alex G: One-man band a Philly indie success |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=December 7, 2014 |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721220854/http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dan_deluca/20141207_Alex_G__One-man_band_a_Philly_indie_success_story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He experimented with different musical styles while making collaborative music. This included the "goth techno" he made with his sister in their band MOTHER, The Scoli Xtreme with his older brother, as well as the projects involving his high school band The Skin Cells, described as "pop rock that accidentally ended up being punk".<ref name="Fader" /> In 2011, Giannascoli enrolled at Temple University, where he studied English in hopes of becoming a teacher, eventually dropping out to pursue a career in music.<ref name="AllMusic" /><ref name="Philly" /><ref>{{Cite web |author-first1=Matt|author-last1=Borcas|date=September 30, 2015|title=The Prolific Alex G Professionalizes his Song Machine |url=https://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/the-prolific-alex-g-professionalizes-his-song-machine/|access-date=2024-06-04 |website=grantland |language=en-US}}</ref>
After self-releasing various albums, EPs, and singles on Bandcamp from 2010 to 2012, Giannascoli's popularity spread through word of mouth, blogs, and reverence by other musicians.<ref name="Phillymag">{{cite web |last=Feinberg |first=Hannah |url=http://www.phillymag.com/ticket/2014/04/08/alex-g |title=On Our Radar: Emerging Philly Musician Alex G. |work=Philadelphia |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> ''The Fader'' called Giannascoli "the internet's secret best songwriter."<ref name="Fader"/> This led to Orchid Tapes signing Giannascoli to its roster, as well as the release of his label debut ''DSU'' (2014),<ref name="Fader"/> which garnered acclaim from music critics.<ref>{{cite web |author-first1=James F.|author-last1=Thompson|date=6 January 2015|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/alex-g-feature |title=Alex G is sharing his hidden talents |work=Crack |publisher=Crack Industries Limited|access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> Following the release of the album, Giannascoli went on tour throughout North America and Europe.<ref name="Philly"/> In November, ''DSU'' was released by Lucky Number in Europe on all formats with two new bonus tracks. The label later also reissued his two preceding releases, 2012's ''Rules'' and ''Trick''.<ref name="TR">{{cite web |url=https://www.luckynumbermusic.com/news/alex-g-trick-rules |title=Alex G – Trick / Rules |website=Lucky Number Music |location=London|date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref>
In 2014, Giannascoli signed with Domino Recording Company and released his debut with the label ''Beach Music'' on October 9.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/prolific-indie-singer-alex-g-announces-new-album-beach-music-20150813 |title=Prolific Indie Singer Alex G Announces New Album, 'Beach Music' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> The following year, Giannascoli worked with Frank Ocean on his albums ''Endless'' and ''Blonde'', providing guitars and arrangements for several songs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/68982-alex-g-opens-up-about-working-with-frank-ocean |title=Alex G Opens Up About Working With Frank Ocean |work=Pitchfork |date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> He also joined Ocean's live band on guitar for his 2017 tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/08/01/frank-ocean-touring-band-alex-g-vegyn-blonde-panorama-fyf|title=Meet The Band Members Behind Frank Ocean's Intimate Festival Performances|author-first1=Ben|author-last1=Dandridge-Lemco|website=Fader|publisher=The FADER Inc|date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>
On March 2, 2017, Giannascoli announced that his second album with Domino, titled ''Rocket'', would be released on May 19 and shared the first two singles, "Bobby" and "Witch".<ref name="BW">{{cite web |last=Dandridge-Lemco |first=Ben |date=March 2, 2017 |title=Listen To Two New Songs From Alex G's Upcoming Rocket Album |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/03/02/alex-g-rocket-album-bobby-witch-singles |access-date=October 13, 2018 |work=The Fader}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rettig |first=James |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1927538/alex-g-bobby-witch/video |title=Alex G – "Bobby" & "Witch" |work=Stereogum |date=March 2, 2017 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> On April 4, Giannascoli announced the change of his stage name from Alex G to (Sandy) Alex G, with no further explanation, and shared another single from the album, "Proud".<ref name="Dandridge-lemco">{{cite web |last=Dandridge-Lemco|first=Ben |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/04/04/alex-g-announces-name-change-to-sandy-alex-g-shares-new-single-proud |title=Alex G Announces Name Change To (Sandy) Alex G, Shares New Single "Proud" |work=The Fader |date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author-first1=Michelle Hyun|author-last1=Kim |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/71740-alex-g-changes-name-to-sandy-alex-g-shares-new-song-proud-listen |title=Alex G Changes Name to (Sandy) Alex G, Shares New Song "Proud": Listen|website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast|date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> The music publication ''Spin'' attributed the name change to a legal conflict with singer and YouTuber Alex Blue, who was operating at the time under the trademarked name "Alex G".<ref name="Arcand">{{cite web |last=Arcand |first=Rob |url=https://www.spin.com/featured/sandy-alex-g-rocket-interview/ |title=(Sandy) Alex G Is Indie Rock's Humble Star: "I'm Just Trying to Make Songs That Sound Good" |work=Spin |date=May 19, 2017 |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819002622/https://www.spin.com/featured/sandy-alex-g-rocket-interview/ |archive-date=August 19, 2020}}</ref> On choosing the name 'Sandy', Giannascoli said it "was the first thing [he] put on Bandcamp" and that he had "just used that 'Sandy' as a sort of [social media] tag" since then.<ref name="Arcand"/> The "Sandy" was supposed to be silent, hence the parentheses, but he noticed that people kept pronouncing it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaca |first=Anna |date=2025-07-14 |title=The (Real) Alex G |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/alex-g-interview-headlights/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
On May 4, he released two more singles, "Brick" and "Sportstar", before the release of the album. ''Rocket'' received acclaim from music critics and appeared on multiple publications' year-end lists of the best albums of 2017.<ref name="BS">{{cite web |author-last=Richards |author-first=Will |date=May 4, 2017 |title=(Sandy) Alex G Shares Two New Tracks And Announces UK Tour |url=http://diymag.com/2017/05/04/sandy-alex-g-sportstar-brick-new-album-rocket-uk-tour-2017-listen |access-date=October 13, 2018 |work=DIY}}</ref>
Giannascoli's eighth studio album, ''House of Sugar'', was released on September 13, 2019. The album received positive reviews and placed 17th on Pitchfork's year-end best albums list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2019/ |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2019 |publisher=CN Entertainment |date=2019-12-10 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=2021-02-05}}</ref> In June 2020, he dropped "(Sandy)" from his stage name, returning to going by Alex G.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2087978/sandy-alex-g-name-change/news/|title=Alex G Officially Drops The (Sandy)|last=DeVille|first=Chris|date=June 16, 2020|website=Stereogum|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref>
Giannascoli scored the film ''We're All Going to the World's Fair'', released on April 8, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Torres |first=Eric |date=2022-04-19 |title=We're All Going to the World's Fair (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/alex-g-were-all-going-to-the-worlds-fair-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=CN Entertainment}}</ref> Giannascoli also scored Jane Schoenbrun's film ''I Saw the TV Glow'', which was released by A24 in 2024.
Giannascoli's ninth studio album, ''God Save the Animals'', was released on September 23, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |date=2022-06-21 |title=Alex G Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/alex-g-announces-new-album-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
In January 2024, Giannascoli announced his signing with RCA Records and an upcoming tour supporting the band Foo Fighters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=2024-01-20 |title=Alex G announces record deal with RCA and 2024 tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/alex-g-announces-record-deal-with-rca-and-2024-tour-3574219 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> He contributed to eight tracks on ''The Great Impersonator'' by Halsey.
On May 2, 2025, Alex G performed a 30-minute set at Bernie Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" rally held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
In late May 2025, Giannascoli announced his tenth studio album and RCA Records debut ''Headlights'', which was released on July 18.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2025-05-29 |title=Alex G Announces New Album Headlights, Shares Video for New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/alex-g-announces-new-album-headlights-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Musical style== Giannascoli's music is often characterized as indie rock with a lo-fi aesthetic due to him recording all his music by himself in his home. He is frequently compared to singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, who is an influence of his. Other comparisons include Built to Spill and the Martinis.<ref name="Fader"/>
''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' praised him as "a particularly gifted melody writer" whose "fuzzy, sometimes distorted songs, which hark back to slightly askew 1990s bands such as Pavement, can't hide his skill as a pop craftsman and a constructor of elliptical narratives that call for repeated listening."<ref name="Philly" /> He stated that his creative process consists of him usually working alone in his room with his guitar and adding other instruments later. When asked about working in a professional recording studio, he replied, "I feel like I'm eventually going to have to do that, but I just don't want to. Because I don't know how to work all that stuff, and I don't want anyone else to have control. I just want to follow my own ideas, and I'm uncomfortable doing it any other way."<ref name="Philly" />
Despite being formerly hesitant to record his music in professional studios, Giannascoli's ''God Save the Animals'' was studio-recorded with help from Jacob Portrait during the COVID-19 pandemic.
== Personal life == Giannascoli has been in a relationship with violinist Molly Germer since 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gaca |first=Anna |date=2025-07-14 |title=The (Real) Alex G |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/alex-g-interview-headlights/ |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovito |first=Michael |date=2022-10-05 |title=On God Save the Animals, Alex G Finally Puts it All Together |url=https://thepostrider.com/on-god-save-the-animals-alex-g-finally-puts-it-all-together/ |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=The Postrider |language=en-US}}</ref> Germer has provided violin and background vocals for every Alex G album since ''Rocket'', and occasionally plays with the band live. The couple have a son born in 2023.<ref name=":0" />
==Discography== {{Main|Alex G discography}}
===Studio albums=== * ''Winner'' (2011) * ''Race'' (2011) * ''Rules'' (2012) * ''Trick'' (2012) * ''DSU'' (2014) * ''Beach Music'' (2015) * ''Rocket'' (2017) * ''House of Sugar'' (2019) * ''God Save the Animals'' (2022) * ''Headlights'' (2025)
===Soundtrack albums=== * ''We're All Going to the World's Fair'' (2022) * ''I Saw the TV Glow'' (2024)
=== Live albums ===
* ''Live at The Headroom'' (2015) * ''Live at Third Man Records'' (2018) * ''Live from Union Transfer'' (2023)
===EPs=== * ''Easy'' (2011) * ''Paint'' (2013) * ''Split 7" with R.L. Kelly'' (2013)
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} *{{AllMusic}} *{{Discogs artist}} *{{MusicBrainz artist}} * [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKFGhhRzkJOpCy8RLje_kdg Alex G] on YouTube * [https://www.youtube.com/@alexgiannascoli7278/videos Alex Giannascoli] on YouTube
{{Alex G|state=expanded}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alex G}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:American indie rock musicians Category:American rock musicians Category:American people of Italian descent Category:Musicians from Philadelphia Category:People from Haverford Township, Pennsylvania Category:Musicians from Delaware County, Pennsylvania Category:Temple University alumni Category:Domino Recording Company artists Category:Third Man Records artists