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Taken from Pressparty (Nov 15, 2024)
Guitarist and Songwriter Sam Uctas Releases Experimental New Album 'Redacted Lines'
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
by Decent Music PR Limited
Sam Uctas - Redacted Lines. Coverwork |
After a lifelong journey with guitar, starting at the age of seven with classical and transitioning to electric guitar at 13, Sam Uctas is proud to announce the release of his latest album, Redacted Lines. The album, a fusion of traditional songwriting and experimental soundscapes, was recorded on vintage analogue equipment, creating a deeply textured and organic listening experience.
Growing up, Sam Uctas immersed themselves in the music of legends such as Jimi Hendrix, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Parliament/Funkadelic, Jeff Beck, and Frank Zappa. “I became obsessed with the electric guitar,” he said. “I practised up to six hours a day, mimicking the styles of my early influences and learning everything I could from their music.”
This dedication to guitar is still at the heart of their songwriting process. “All of my songs are written on guitar first. The lyrics usually come second, or I adapt previously written poems into songs,” Sam Uctas shared.
Redacted Lines, was recorded using vintage tape machines—a 1985 TASCAM 34b and a 1982 TASCAM 244—bringing a raw, characterful sound to the album that is often lost in modern digital production. “I feel like my music style suits the imperfections of tape. Where digital can sometimes sound lifeless, tape brings warmth and texture,” he explained. “I try to avoid VST plugins as much as possible because I can get overwhelmed by too many options. I prefer to run individual tracks through outboard compressors and equalizers to shape the sound in a way that feels more hands-on and personal.”
The album balances more conventional songs, such as "Redacted Lines," "Falling Out," and "In Your Eyes," with boundary-pushing experimental pieces like "Everything Is Becoming," "Everyday Is an Eternity," and "VRBA." These latter tracks, described by Sam Uctas as "noise paintings," reflect a more abstract, atmospheric approach to composition. “I imagine time as a canvas, sounds as colours, shaped by melody and rhythm, all viewed as one complete piece,” he said.
The lyrical content of, Redacted Lines, is heavily influenced by Beat Generation writers like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs, as well as authors Charles Bukowski and Hubert Selby Jr. Sam Uctas approaches their songwriting with a poetic sensibility, ensuring that the lyrics can stand alone as poetry. “I try to write my song lyrics so they could also be read as a poem. I’m inspired by the way Jack Kerouac or Linton Kwesi Johnson would read their poetry alongside music,” he added.
With, Redacted Lines, Sam Uctas offers a deeply personal and boundary-defying body of work, blending their decades-long love of guitar with a fresh, experimental approach to both sound and lyricism.
About
Sam Uctas is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist with a passion for blending traditional guitar-driven songwriting with experimental soundscapes. Drawing influence from the greats of rock, funk, and jazz, as well as the writers of the Beat Generation, his work pushes boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in a love of music and storytelling.
Contact:
www.instagram.com/sam.uctas
open.spotify.com/artist/1kUkfYjJJUE1NvsUUWqhnE
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