He quit his day job in 1997 and ever since then, music has encompassed his life. He runs his own grassroots musical promotion for himself and still makes time to hop out to the ocean to ride the waves. It's no wonder Alex Woodard is such a down-to-earth guy with so much to say.

The San Diego resident started his musical career playing the piano by ear. In college, he picked up the guitar after hearing a Toad the Wet Sprocket song that he wanted to learn.

"[The] guitar was a more easily carried instrument, so I stuck with it. I still play a lot of piano and it's showing up more and more in my live shows. People seem to gravitate towards it," Woodard said.

His first full-length album, Nowhere Near Here, opened a lot of doors for him, recalls Woodard. He worked with The Posies and the Fountains of Wayne musicians to start touring.

"While that year and a half was great, I also went through some pretty low times," Woodard said. And that is where his story gains interest.

"Somebody had given me an astrological reading on tape for my birthday, and I found it in my car a year later and finally listened to it. The guy pretty much nailed everything that had happened in my life, and said all these rough times were in this period of Saturn Returns, which is when the planet Saturn Returns to your birth sign," Woodard explained.

Although he wasn't a big believer in astrology, all the changes in his life were hard to explain. Still, the concept of Saturn returning caught his interest, hence the name of his most recent release.

Woodard said the release was more "dense" than Nowhere Near Here, yet harder-edged in places.

"It reflects a lot of what I was going through, trying to reconcile some decisions I made and living in the aftermath," Woodard said. "If anything, it's way more upfront and autobiographical and that's why I love that record. It was the first time songwriting-wise that I wasn't afraid to step out and say, "this is who I really am"."

In January 2004, Woodard's new record will be released. And this time around, he had the help of Pete Droge in producing it.

Woodard crossed paths with Droge while he was living in Seattle in the late 1990s and the earlier part of 2000.

"Pete is kind of a legend up in the northwest," Woodard explained. "He has been in the scene since he was 18 and been successful at every level…. just a great songwriter and producer."

Droge and Woodard stayed in contact yearly and it was last year when Droge asked Woodard if he wanted a producer for his next title. Excited about the opportunity, Woodard welcomed Droge's invitation.

"I said "hell yes" and we've been working on the record at his house in Seattle whenever he has time away from The Thorns," Woodard explained. Droge is part of the newly formed three-man band featuring himself, Matthew Sweet and Shawn Mullins.

Woodard said Droge was a pleasure to work with and is very dramatic with his work. He said Droge likes to try things not commonly thought of and uses obscure instruments and "thrift store" keyboards.

"He's also an amazing guitar player and singer, so it's great having him play these songs with me. A lot of times when we're recording, it was just him and me in the room, miked up and playing together live," recalled Woodard. "I love that vibe."

And as for his forthcoming album, Woodard let us in on his personal thoughts.

"It's much more of a singer-songwriter record," said Woodard of his upcoming album. "The songs really breathe, and the reaction so far has been really strong. So I'm looking forward to finishing it up next month and getting it out there in late January."

"I'm in a better place now than I was a couple of years ago, and the songs reflect that," Woodard said. "[I'm] kind of looking at the journey and the twists this road can take. I wouldn't say it's light-hearted, but it's definitely more balanced lyrically than Saturn Returns." Woodard said both albums are reflective of him in different ways.

Besides music, there's one other passion in Woodard's life…and that is surfing.

"I've surfed all my life, and it's definitely a grounding factor for me. It re-establishes my connection to the ocean and the earth, but it's also just a great time. In other words, it good in a lot of different ways... physically, spiritually, and just for having fun.

Woodard devotes much of his time to self-promotion, and he's chosen the grassroots method for getting his tunes out there. He's been on the national airwaves before, but chose to avoid that route with Saturn Returns.

"I am opting for a grass-roots approach that seems to be working well and doesn't demand a national radio campaign," Woodard said. "If I can go out and sell out a 300 person room in every city I play, I'd be happy with that for the rest of my life. If that means national radio and major label support, then fine. But I'd be just as happy to keep building from the grass roots level."

Woodard said he does not mind putting in the work that comes with grassroot publicizing. He works closely with a few helpful people in the industry to write songs, place songs on movie soundtracks, plan tour dates and venues, and sell merchandise.

"It's what I do and I think there's room for indie artists that are willing to keep putting out songs and working hard."

In the meantime, Woodard keeps his stereo full while he pounds out hours of work. Currently, he is listening to U2, Guns N'Roses, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Counting Crows and Bruce Springsteen.

"I'm kind of all over the place but I ain't into the hip hop thing," Woodard added. "Not yet at least."

Woodard added that his fans have been outstanding through his musical career.

"My fans have been everything to me, and a lot of good things have happened though word of mouth on the internet," said Woodard, who recently found out that his songs have been downloaded more than 20,000 times on Kazaa. He said he is friends with many of his fans, including one who started as an acquaintance and now runs his street team.

So for those looking to hear his Cali surfer's dreamy tunes, you're in luck. He's working on a tour for late November. Woodard said details will be available shortly at www.alexwoodard.com.

For more information visit: www.alexwoodard.com