by Kevin C. Thomas, OurMaine.com, 02.08.01

Honesty and integrity are the guiding virtues for NOW is NOW. More of a musical project than a band, it is the brainchild of Mitch Alden, who recruits musical friends for each new performance.

Alden is a native of New York who grew up surrounded by music. “My Dad was the one who got me into music. He used to be part of a 50’s doo-wop group, and bought me my first guitar.” As Mitch attended college in upstate New York, he immersed himself in his influences (AC-DC and Rush) and branched out to folk.

In his junior year, inspired by the Indigo Girls and R.E.M., Alden put together an acoustic band, which eventually moved out to Colorado. But after six years, the members of the band had their creative differences and parted.

Alden headed up to the Boston area and began a new project called Seven Acres. That band had a chance to be signed by major record labels. Although his musical partner was willing to cater to the record labels’ needs, Alden didn’t want to sacrifice the music for what he calls a “homogenized” sound.

“One out of ten artists don’t even get released. I found myself going away from the honesty. But that made the gigs feel like a day job.” One label even told him that if they wanted a record contract, the band needed to get a producer to spice up the music and take the honesty out of it.

Tiring of what he calls the “blood band” – all for one, one for all - Alden came to Maine.

His experience with major record labels changed his approach to music. “I wasn’t going to be playing with a strict band or unit. I believe it’s better to book a show, then find players after you do it.” Mitch formed NOW is NOW. He travels around the Northeast, playing gigs with many musical friends.

Not having a permanent band has been well received by fans and by musicians alike. “Every gig is like the first time. Playing with different musicians every night helps to keep the energy fresh on stage. It’s like a vacation for the other musicians. The less stress I can put on my players, the more fun it is.”

The most impressive part of Alden's music is his songwriting approach. He loves books, especially The Gunslinger by Stephen King, the inspiration for the song “Other Worlds.”

The Grapes of Wrath inspired him to write the song “Part of Me”. After reading those books and others like The Alchemist and Be Here Now, Alden decided to step into the shoes of the characters he read about. This “first-person” approach to his songwriting has created a strong connection between him and his audience. “Anybody can relate to it and put it into their own circumstance. But, it doesn’t become a cheesy pop sort of thing.”

The first three tracks of the self-titled album, “Other Worlds”, “I Take It As It Comes”, and “Sail Away,” were recorded at a studio in Massachusetts. The last two, “Young Man” and “Part of Me,” were recorded live at “The Bitter End” in New York City.

He hoped the album would have the “production feel” of a Nirvana album, but the musical feel of the Indigo Girls and Bob Dylan. If you haven’t heard NOW is NOW yet, you will find the music breathtaking, a departure from a lot of the empty pop songs you hear on radios across the country. You’ll also find that the album has a rather interesting cover. A close friend who works with the FOX Family Channel made the image for him. Alden describes the cover as “infinite,” evoking many different interpretations of it.

You can catch Mitch Alden and NOW is NOW at The Ale House in Portland on Feb. 9, The Skybar in Somerville, Mass., on Feb. 13, The Free Street Taverna in Portland on Feb. 16, and at the State Theatre in Portland on Feb. 18.