2014 - Written in multiple studios and sometimes dreary rehearsal spaces, Americaanonymous' self titled debut EP touches on dark conceit and passionate sophistication. Selected from the first collaborative collection of music created by Michael Furrer (vocals/occasional percussion), Todd Hoenicke (bass), Seth Bawcum (guitar), Brian Smith (horns, percussion, keys) and Robert McMahan (drums), this 5 song EP embodies the sonic departure from their previous endeavors they were searching for. As we started our creative process, working together for the first time, we immediately knew we were hitting on something different. We would favor a riff that one of us brought in, building on it to collectively create a song that we felt was meaningful and congruent. It just felt natural. Each song is a concept brought to reality. From theMEMO's jazz occupied rhythm to Lying on Sunbeams' 1960's psychedelic rock infusion, each song has been sculpted to selfishly fulfill their vision. Lyrically I wanted to fill the listener with a storied theme for them to run with and interpret however they saw fit. There is a specific purpose/story there but leaving room was warranted as our listeners discover the relation to their personal lives. Furrer credits this open ended writing to the flexibility and unrestrictive process they allow. There are no bad ideas, everything is brought to the table, it's just that some things speak to us louder. Sometimes we beat up an idea for hours, realize it isn't going to make it, and then months later come back to it, reinventing it completely. The idea of self titling their first EP was based on an effort to simply identify the group and set a point of origin for future work. 2012 - Conceived in multiple recording studios and backroom rehearsal spaces, Americaanonymous have been madly scheming, creating a fervent brand of music. This indie-alt collaboration between musicians and friends Michael Furrer (vocals/ occasional percussion), Todd Hoenicke (bass), Seth Bawcum (guitar), Brian Smith (horns, percussion, keys) and Robert McMahan (drums) has surprised and enraptured a worldwide audience via web and live performance. The five piece (originating from Detroit) pulls from a scattered array of influences that make their sound familiar but not obvious, touching on early 20th surreal moments of melodic elegance au courant Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, delicate hints of swing based beats, sometimes raw guitar junk blues, late 60's rock fired reaction and vocals that firmly grasp the entire spectrum. When asked about this amalgamation of sound they make a home in, Furrer replied We are really just the mechanism of our predecessors They thrive on the idea of being a conduit in which music emanates, reinvigorating the musical expression of life experience, delineating the storied sequences that interoperate between us. Live they are locked in, groove connecting the audience with their stripped down, roots based sound. Sometimes spacey and often crunchy, it's difficult to not be moved, leaving skeptics questioning their own humanity!
