Alexander McCowan began playing guitar at age 19.
As the story goes, Alexander McCowan was a long distance runner, but developed an overuse injury, causing him to stop running for three months. It was during this time, he happened to watch an episode of 'Austin City Limits' on PBS. This particular episode was a Songwriter's Special, with Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Dave Matthews and Buddy Miller performing.
It was after this incident, Alexander McCowan first picked up the guitar.

He wrote his first songs while living in Kilkenny, Ireland. He was 23.

Alexander McCowan released his first record, entitled 'Thief' in November of 2009. He was 28. The record was produced by Dale Penner of Paradise Alley Studios in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The year of 2010 had Alexander McCowan embark on a 26-date tour of Canada promoting 'Thief'.