In Session: Amassed
ALBANY – Amassed, spearheaded by singer-songwriter Alex Urdanoff, is set to release another single, “Train Tracks,” on Dec. 15th. With some unconventional recording techniques employed, the song has such a unique sound to it, that is all beset under lyrics that easily tell a story. Having a rhythm that emulates the song title, the tune moves along fairly quickly.
Recently, I had a chance to sit down with the budding songwriter. What follows is our conversation.
Lucas Garrett: Hey there, Alex! Nice to sit down and chat for a bit! How’ve you been?
Alex Urdanoff: Hello, Lucas! I’m well. Hope all is well on your end as well.
LG: Tell us a bit about the name of the project, Amassed. How did it all start, and how was that name chosen?
AU: So, Amassed is the latest incarnation of bands that I’ve attempted to start. In early 2021, my previous band had broken up due to conflicting interests. I then decided to continue solo for the time being and, under the advice of a musician friend, get a series of songs recorded and try to recruit some new band members. I recorded my first four singles at a studio but decided to record the rest at home. I started to release them in 2022 under the name, Amassed, as a means of getting my foot in the door. The name comes from the idea that the songs would be influenced by a myriad of styles and genres.
LG: Perusing not only your Instagram, but also your other tunes you’ve released, It’s clear that you have a distinct vision for your arrangements. Where did this vision come from, and who are some of your top creative influences?
AU: I knew early on that if I were to stand out, I probably shouldn’t sound too much like anyone else. So, I was pretty experimental early on with arrangements and chords progressions and such. Admittedly, a lot of things didn’t work, but I think I’ve since honed in on a sound. My song, “Your Urbanite Love,” for example, utilizes a prominent string section and jazzy chords.
I would have to say that my top influences would probably be The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, and The Doors. There are probably more, but I can’t think of them at the moment.
LG: Your new song, “Train Tracks,” comes out Dec. 15th. I’d like to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of this song. Can you go into some detail regarding how this song came to be?
AU: The song is in the perspective of someone who has hitched a ride in a boxcar in search of a new kind of life, free from the burdens of modern living. I wrote it in a four-day stretch where I had written “Court Under the Stars” and “On the Other Side,” two of my other singles. I’d like to think it is a little bit cinematic or theatrical. The drums for most of the song are meant to imitate the sound of a train riding along the tracks.
LG: Are any of these singles planned to be part of an album?
AU: These singles will be part of a 10-song EP.
LG: On a day where independent artists are having a harder and harder time to cut through the crowd, so to speak, how has the process been for you?
AU: I’ve been almost strictly online for the time being, so my focus has been more on social media marketing. I’ve been having very moderate success with content creation and getting my name out that way. I feel that ultimately, I just need to carve out my corner of the world and work from there.
LG: Are there any upcoming plans on the horizon for Amassed? Live shows?
AU: Aside from the single and EP, I am planning on recruiting other band members (who I am hoping write songs as well!). Ultimately, I am looking for Amassed to be a collaborative project. Part of the process would be playing at open mics and meeting people there. I think for the time being, I’d settle on having at least one person to bounce ideas off of.
LG: Thanks for your time!
AU: Thanks for the opportunity!
[…] Source […]