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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Alan Arena

Alan Arena has been chasing the muse of music for over four decades, carving out a songwriting journey defined by raw emotion, grit, and a deep reverence for the roots of rock and blues. With his long-awaited album Fortune Wheel, Arena reminds us that true artistry is not bound by trends or timelines—it’s a lifelong road trip, driven by the soul.

Alan wrote his first song back in 1978, when he was just 17. He had no idea that his high-octane rock track, “Doing 110 at 3AM,” bore the unmistakable fingerprints of Chuck Berry. “I didn’t even know I was being influenced by Chuck at the time,” Arena laughs. “It just came out of me naturally.” That innocence, that unfiltered connection to the roots of American music, has always been central to his work.

Arena’s songs are born from real life—nights behind the wheel, heartbreaks that linger for years, and the small triumphs that keep us going. His guitar playing is steeped in the blues, his lyrics in lived experience. He doesn’t just write songs; he tells stories, each one a time capsule of a moment, a feeling, or a revelation.

His 2016 release, Limelight, earned him a spot on Limelight Magazine’s prestigious list of Top 10 Solo Artist Albums of the Decade. It was a breakthrough moment for an artist who had spent years quietly honing his craft, gigging in smoky bars and small stages, and writing songs that cut straight to the bone. That record was a culmination of decades of passion—and it caught fire with fans and critics alike.

Now, with Fortune Wheel, Alan Arena delivers the long-anticipated follow-up, a 12-track album that spins with wisdom, grit, and soul. It’s the sound of an artist who’s lived through the high-speed chaos of youth, the heartbreak of detours, and the clarity that only comes from staying the course.

“Blues man Alan Arena strikes pure gold with Fortune Wheel,” raved veteran music journalist Bill Copeland. And he’s not wrong. The record is a masterclass in modern blues-rock storytelling. From the driving groove of the title track to the introspective haze of “Old Ghosts on the Radio,” Fortune Wheel is both fresh and timeless, gritty yet polished. Arena’s voice—weathered but unwavering—carries each lyric with the authority of someone who’s been there, done that, and wrote a damn good song about it.

Longtime blues radio DJ Holly Harris echoed the sentiment simply: “I love the CD.” And that love is spreading. Whether it’s among seasoned blues heads or new listeners just discovering the power of a well-told story over a killer groove, Fortune Wheel is finding its audience.

Arena is the kind of artist who refuses to follow the cookie-cutter formula. He isn’t chasing radio hits or viral fame. He’s following something far more elusive—truth. His songs don’t come from committee writing rooms or algorithm-friendly hooks. They come from long drives on back roads, from journals full of half-sketched lyrics, from nights sitting alone with a guitar and a feeling that just won’t go away.

And yet, there’s nothing outdated about Alan Arena’s sound. His music has a pulse. It breathes. It resonates with listeners who are hungry for authenticity in a time when so much music feels plastic and overproduced. Arena’s guitar tones are rich and raw, his rhythm section tight and driving, and his lyrics feel like they were pulled straight from the barstool confessions of someone you just met, but somehow already trust.

For Alan, Fortune Wheel isn’t just another release—it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that time doesn’t diminish creativity. If anything, it sharpens it. This is the work of an artist who’s not only still passionate after all these years but is arguably writing the best material of his life.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, Alan Arena’s music offers something rare—honest-to-the-bone songs, grounded in tradition, delivered with fire and finesse. He stands as a reminder that music doesn’t need a fresh coat of digital gloss to be powerful. Sometimes, all you need is a voice, a guitar, and a story that demands to be heard.

With Fortune Wheel, Alan Arena has spun the next chapter of his musical journey—and it’s nothing short of gold.

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