ALEX JOHNSEN – SINGER, SONGWRITER AND WAIKATO ROCKSTAR

Alex in his element singing with Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends

By Zoe Braithwaite

Since a young age Alex Johnsen has loved music. When he was introduced to Hamilton music teacher Robert Mullen, his musical talents grew and grew, and with his mentor and a group of friends they formed the band Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends Alex’s regular performances in the Waikato, including last year’s performance at Special Olympics New Zealand’s One year to go event, have locals calling him a rockstar. Alex in his element singing with Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends. “I got involved with Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends since 2016. In that time, I got involved and our new music is doing well,” Alex says. Robert Mullen was Alex’s first music mentor and aimed to mentor his ability to express himself creatively through music. After trying guitar, they discovered Alex’s talents lay in singing and rapping. After mentoring Alex for a month more band members joined, and Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends was born, a fully-fledged band who practice regularly and perform at public events in the Waikato. When talking about his role in the band Alex says “I’m the front leader in the band and singer, songwriter, I sing and play harmonica and I actually write songs most of the time.” His favorite part of being in the band? “The best bit would be performing to people.”

Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends at a local performance

In December Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends performed at the one-year-to-go countdown event for the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games at the Hamilton gardens, treating the local crowd to several songs. “It went really well, the best bit was the getting along with other people,” Alex remembers. Some audience members said that Alex and his friends were like rockstars, when asked if this was a good description, Alex agreed. “Yeah, with me it would be a rockstar and with my mates it would be rockgods.” When asked what the future holds for Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends, Alex says: “We’re aiming to do a concert.” Alex also writes and performs as a solo artist across Hamilton. “For me, I do music also, not just with Robert Mullen Jnr, I do music by myself as well and when I do my music, I’m not just writing songs, I go and do gigs sometimes.” “My singing and music helps me grow, because I’ve been doing music since about two to four years now.” Alex Johnsen’s confidence and love of performing is an inspiration to people with an intellectual disability looking to get involved with music. To those who are interested Alex has some great advice. “I would say follow your heart, follow your dreams and if you are scared or shy, don’t worry we’ll make you welcome.” We’re looking forward to seeing Robert Mullen Jnr and Friends continue to perform and make incredible music in 2021. You can follow them on their Facebook page, Instagram and YouTube channel under the name Robert Mullen Junior and Friends.