We’re looking forward to introducing you to Evan Opitz. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Evan, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
I’ve been so fortunate to have an opportunity in the last few years to take my time when it comes to Ames Window, my personal project. From the start, that project has been my musical journal where I break down feelings, memories, or events and process them into sound. Sometimes in the form of a jam, improvisation, or sometimes with fully fleshed out produced songs. Thankfully as an independent artist, I can create a vast variety of different sonic experiences. By moving slowly with the production and mixing processes I’ve been able to thoroughly explore every corner of possibility along with my close friends who are patient and just as excited to explore the void as I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Evan Opitz and I front a musical project called Ames Window. Originally of Chicago, IL descent, I currently reside in East Nashville, TN where I join many different bands in different styles both as a hired gun or creative counterpart. These artists include Noah Thompson, Travis Orbin, OTNES, City Mouth, The FBR, Bardo, Sunshine Scott, Weak Daze, Dethamphetamine, OVVEN, ARREIS, Jones & The Bones, The Phantom Broadcast, the list does go on! Over time I’ve had an absolute privilege working with tons of artists that have entrusted me with their vision. I tried to take both my experiences through my personal life and that stage world to channel into Ames Window, which has some very exciting things happening!
To start,our new ep, Asteraceae, dropped this Halloween. It is a record featuring my close friend from Chicago, Eric Novak (aka Dissonant Dessert). Eric came down to visit me shortly after I moved to Nashville back in 2021. They hopped on a Greyhound bus with a backpack and a flute for the weekend. We decided to head to my backyard with a TASCAM recorder and setup to record some free improvisation. We both have strong roots in experimental and spontaneous music, so we decided to record 3 improvisations with me on acoustic guitar and Eric on flute. Then 3 years later I dug those recordings back up. I was blown away by the sounds and the memories embedded in the music! So I decided to undertake a large project: augment the live improv with added harmonizations and unisons on Ukulele. What became was months of time sitting by the computer with the uke, peacemealing about 2 minutes of arrangement per 4 hr excursion. After that I added other layers of sound including e-bow on acoustic guitar, screwdriver on Ukulele, water bowls with mallets. Eventually I sent it off back to Eric, they proceeded to overdub clarinet, bass clarinet, hulusi, and sheng. Finally after 4 years we have this soundtrack of sorts that presents as a spontaneous free piece disguised as a chamber ensemble of sorts. It was broken into 7 movements titled different plants from the Asteraceae (Daisy) family.
This record acts as a prelude to a very exciting update, the upcoming debut full length record from Ames Window! “Angel’s Tintinnabulation: A Tear Before The Time Spirit,” will feature 13 songs that segue seamlessly for an hour long multigenre experience. The first single and music video will be dropping in the next month or so. It will be a vast departure from the experimental nature of the various eps under the Ames Window discography.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was dancing in my socks, in 7th grade, in my school uniform, in the basement jamming out to Amputechture by The Mars Volta when I should’ve been focusing on my math homework.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
It can be realy discouraging sometimes trying to think about releasing my own music and spending a ton of physical and emotional time lining things up, especially seeing how hard my friends work. And adding the financial and economical side of the music industry and making enough money to live, getting older… It all takes a toll, but you can choose to find a workaround or let it consume you, it’s a sacrifice to add being there for my partner and family and friends, while we are all losing time on the planet. I choose to continue my musical journey and am beyond excited to see where things go.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I owe a lot of my production decision making to my friends Conner Poole, who helped me finish this upcoming full length record) Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen, with whom I had the privilege of recording with for 2 full length records, and J Tom Hnatow, all of whom taught me the thoughtful approach to analyzing a musical idea and seeing the possibilities in where it could go, Also I always go back to the record Sky Blue Sky by Wilco, the way each of the 6 members in that group interlplay creates a mesmerizing space of openness and intuition.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I release and will continue to release music of all varieties, both straight forward and experimental, it will always be inspired by something in my life, whether it’s focus is storytelling or exploring sonic landscapes. Some of these experiences will not be as clean and dry as others, but it is my purpose to create them for what they are: human expression
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theameswindow.bandcamp.com/album/asteraceae
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameswindow_?igsh=MTl0bDN6ZHVtcmlkMw==
Image Credits
Ives Albert
Nick Pagan
Tim Hunter
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
