Music
The best kept secret in music
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For those of you who don't know, Absent I is Alex Anderson (Staija) on vocals, Alton Welter (Staija) on bass, Ryan Guanzon (Quazar/guy who mixes at the Ascot room) on drums and Colt Leeb on acoustic guitar and programming and Mr. Mac on sequencer.
In a nutshell, this is the coolest band I have heard in a long time. I wasn't aware but this Fine Line show was their first show as a full band ever and it ruled. The core of their sound is Alex's voice. He is very subdued and melodic and there is no screaming. In fact, a lot of the sound is the programmed electronic elements, be them keyboards, percussion tracks or whatnot. That and the acoustic guitars laid down by Colt give this band a VERY atmospheric sound and vibe. Ryan’s drumming was dead nutz on with the programmed stuff. So much so that I asked him whether or not he was using triggers on his kit to trigger sampled electronic drum sounds. He was not. I was extremely impressed.
I wouldn't really know who to draw comparisons with in terms of this style of music but what I can tell you is that for a band's first show ever, these guys sounded like they had been refining their sound and songwriting for years. Their stuff on MySpace is just Alex and Colt with no live drums but the band thing live was very cool. Ryan spent some time playing with mallets instead of sticks for different tonal qualities on the kit. One song's vocals reminded me a little bit of Maynard James Keenan (Tool) where others were more straight up with less of the strained vibe that Maynard is known for. Again, it is all really hard to describe. Musically, the only comparison I could draw might be older Kate Bush/Peter Gabriel style sounds with lots of layered sonic textures and Depeche Mode and A Perfect Circle for some of the more melancholy moods as well as some of the electronic elements.
This is a fantastic band that I plan to follow closely. Their stage presence was very subdued but it fit the music very well without being shoe-gazey. Great stuff. I can't say enough about this band. Check them out at least once!
- MusicScene.org
Discography
Debut Demo out now!
Full length release coming Fall/Winter 2006 from the Somnio Artist Group!
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Absent I is a project of two like-minded musicians, but more importantly, long-term friends. Vocalist Alex Anderson first befriended Colt Leeb in their teenage years when Leeb was performing in a local Twin Cities hard-rock outfit Thieves Army. Anderson managed and assisted the band and helped get them involved in the local music scene. After a short time, Anderson and Thieves Army mutually split paths so Anderson could pursue a music endeavor of his own.
Over a few years of development, Anderson created STAIJA which has become one of the most respected and successful hard-rock acts of Minneapolis. Meanwhile, Leeb disbanded from Thieves Army and pursued a career in audio production by attending IPR in Minneapolis.
Later on, a chance meeting for Anderson’s band STAIJA landed them in the hands of Grammy-Award-Winning engineer/producer Steve Hodge. Hodge began working with STAIJA and offered to produce a 3-song E.P. When Hodge needed to choose an engineer to assist on the project, unknowing of the connection to STAIJA, Hodge chose a promising new intern non-other than Colt Leeb. With the old-friendships re-formed, STAIJA completed the 3-song E.P. entitled “Show Yourself” and continued to work with Leeb on a full length release due out mid-2006.
While working in the studio with Anderson and STAIJA, Leeb showed Anderson a half-written song sans-vocals that he had been working on independently. Anderson immediately attached to the song, and offered to work with Leeb to add vocals and finish the song. The song came to be known as “For You” and Absent I was born.
With several songs now written, Absent I is ready to share the gift of their most personal music with anyone willing to listen. Absent I is not necessarily trying to do anything different from anyone else, but in the process of creating music that feels natural for them, Absent I have created songs that seem familiar, yet unique. Even if it’s just for a moment, take a listen. Absent I will grab you, move you, and surprise you. Press play. Enjoy.
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