I haven’t posted anything in a minute, but that doesn’t mean that things aren’t happening. I completed an interview last week and it should be up within the next couple of days. So don’t worry Inciter, old blog of mine, I haven’t forgotten about you!

By Van Sias

Needless to say, music is a big part of singer/songwriter/actor Mauricio Alexander’s life.
Classically trained pianist for 12 years. Alto saxophone for three years. Self-taught singer and guitarist since he was 12. Time spent as a hip-hop artist by the name of Enemy Combatant, spitting out rhymes (to quote that old “Law & Order” slogan) “ripped from the headlines.”
Now Alexander has started his most ambitious music mission to date: the 112,010 Downloads Project. The most songs that are downloaded on his Web site will be on his debut album. And that’s just the tip of the MP3 player as he’s looking to tally up more than 100,000 downloads by the beginning of the new year. The money raised will go toward the production costs of the album and a national tour.
A listen to “Summer Song” – with its lyrics of longing and upbeat groove that evokes the feeling of the season – on Alexander’s Web site is an example of the creative forces that have shaped the artist.
“When I first started writing, my very first influence outside of just the Led Zeppelin-Chili Peppers stuff when I was a kid, I have to comment on this: The first indie artist I started crafting my sound after was Ani DiFranco,” he said. “And the reason why she sticks out is because she’s one of those people that are very unique in how they blend their music. She’s a very soulful artist.”
Being “soulful” is a readily apparent feature of Alexander’s sound, enabling him to find a kinship with some of today’s leading musicians.
“Who I’m listening to that I feel is generating similar sounds is Citizen Cope,” he said, adding, “Dave Matthews has got one of the best jazz-pop bands, whatever you want to call it. “You probably hear that mixed with a little bit of indie rock (in my music).”
Music isn’t the only art form through which Alexander expresses himself. He graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in theatre, and has traveled the country as part of a national theatre tour. Acting is still a strong component of his life with one of his biggest career projects to date already in the pipeline.
“I recently shot and starred in my first SAG indie film called ‘Departure’ with Tracy Perez, Brian Luna and Chelsea Gregory,” he said. “It is in post-production for a 2010 spring release to film festivals.”
Alexander is currently doing stand-in work for actor Tony Plana on one of ABC’s most successful programs, “Ugly Betty.” He’s also done stand-in duty on such major motion pictures as “American Gangster,” “Righteous Kill,” “Illegal Tender” and “The Bourne Ultimatum”
“We live in a world where everything is cross-platform: If you’re a musician, you probably end up acting on a show,” Alexander said. “Companies are always looking for fresh ideas: My wish is that they can use my music for the show. All it takes is for a producer to say they really like that song.”
Rather than waiting for the opportunities to appear out of thin air, Alexander has decided to take matters into his own hands.
“Everyone needs a vehicle (to express themselves creatively) and if someone doesn’t create a vehicle for you, you have to create the vehicle yourself.
“I love that idea of being an entrepreneur,” he added. “That’s exciting to me.”

Check out Mauricio’s Web site at http://www.mauricioalexander.com.

Photo: Leyla Tatiana Rosario

by Van Sias

Trips around the world and cruises to some of the world’s hottest vacation spots are some of the perks now for independent casino host Tommy Cavigliano.

That’s a far cry from answering the phones at the Trump Marina casino in Atlantic City.

“I learned more at that job than I did anywhere else,” Cavigliano said.

Well, those courses in Low Man on the Totem Pole 101 have paid off as Cavigliano hasn’t looked back since, parlaying a love for taking chances into working in an industry where that’s the name of the game. After hosting in some of the top casinos on the East Coast and down South, Cavigliano decided to strike out on his own, forming Tommy’s VIP Tours in 2008. It was something that had a definite appeal to him.

“It’s something I’ve always thought about,” he said. “A friend of mine had been doing it for 30 years, and got me into it. It’s mainly about freedom and about being your own boss.

“I have a better quality of life, too,” he continued. “That was my biggest push. I just knew this was more me. Sometimes I work five hours, sometimes I work from when I wake up to when I go to bed.”

It’s hardly all work and no play, though, for Cavigliano. Last week he brought a group of players to New Orleans to see his favorite football team, the New York Giants, take on the Saints. And the day before, there was a little bit of playing in the casino. Blackjack was once his game, but now, it’s all about shooting craps.

“I can stay on a craps table all day,” Cavigliano said. “It’s a release; it’s kind of like a math game. I’ve always liked math since I was a kid. I enjoy the action, the camaraderie with the dealer and the other players. It’s the closest thing to me that’s like sports. You can control the game

“I have a certain system that works about 75 percent of time,” he added.

 And playing, while taking care of players, has an extra benefit.

“It keeps me on the same mind level as my clients,” Cavigliano said. “Anytime you’re selling something, you want to be able to relate to your customers.”

The fact that he’s obviously the “Tommy” in Tommy’s VIP Tours is something Cavigliano relishes, and has this bit of advice for others looking to mix business with pleasure.

“Find something that you enjoy and make that your career,” he said. “It’s not going to feel like work. The only time it feels like work for me is when someone calls bitching about something, but other than that the rest is fun.”

“When I was working inside the property, that’s what drove me nuts; I wasn’t having fun.”

Cavigliano added: “When I was in the casino, you always had to worry about your boss looking over your shoulder while you’re having a drink with a customer, and it shouldn’t have to be like that.”

That doesn’t mean the new job hasn’t had its share of challenges, especially at the beginning.

“Initially, it was discouraging,” he said. “It’s a commission job; I went from making good money to 90 days without getting a check. There are a lot of different angles to it.”

Cavigliano has a simple philosophy that helps him stay the course.

“Treat people how you want to be treated,” he said. “I try to give them what I expect in return. I like to be upfront and come from the heart – that goes a long way.

“People are gonna disappoint you personally and professionally; you’ll figure that out yourself,” he continued. “The more you go through different experiences, the further you’re gonna get.”

So whether it’s on the craps table or in his own business, Cavigliano is always willing to roll the dice. It’s only then that you can get the big payoff.

Check out Tommy’s Web site at http://www.tommysviptours.com.

Do I insert personal anecdotes into it? Do I stay detached and write it up as a simple profile. I guess this will be the good thing as I go through with the blog; I’ll get to experiment with different styles like that. And I guess that makes the whole thing exciting!

As I mentioned above, “Inciter” is the Latin word for aspire and this blog is about that. You see, while I’ve been editing for like 99 percent of my professional career, what I’d like to do, or “aspire” to do, is write more. And while I write fairly regularly (mainly on my blog, Tennis Talk, Anyone?) there are some areas I’m pretty rusty in, such as conducting interviews. So what I’m planning to do here at Inciter is interview like-minded individuals—mainly people I know—who are reaching for certain goals outside their day-to-day activities, such as pursuing a career in music while holding down a 9-to-5, or talking to people who struck out on their own and have made it or are making it. 

The postings on the blog will be in either question-and-answer format or full-on features: It’ll usually depend on the logistics. I can’t get out to California and go catch someone performing, but I can talk to them on the phone or communicate via e-mail. 

Also, if anyone has any comments on what I’ve written, please feel free to share them—hopefully it’ll be more than “that sucked” or “that was awesome.” But if that’s all you want to leave, that’s fine, too. I’ll try to do better next time!

And what I mentioned in the first paragraph about “starting fights”: This is a tool for me to fight any doubts I might have within myself and going against the way that I’m usually perceived as professionally. I plan on talking to like-minded individuals who want to “stir up” the status quo of doing things. 

Sorry this is so long, but I want to add another disclaimer: I won’t be trashing anyone on the site, so if you’re looking for that here, it’s not going to happen. This is a practice exercise for me, and I’m thankful to the people willing to talk to me and help me reach my goals. I hope I can help them as well, by writing something recognizing their accomplishments.

And one more thing before I go, the layout I’m using on this blog is called “Hemingway.” I thought it would be appropriate with the whole “aspiration” theme!

Thanks, and the first interview will be up soon: I’ll keep you posted!

Van