Alex Amen is making waves as one of the new breed of songwriters to keep a very close eye on. Born in Texas, he has lived in communes on the West Coast, formed and played in bands, before finally settling in New York, at least for the time being. His sound looks back to that sweet spot in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s when folk and country merged with artists like James Taylor, early Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Cat Stevens, and Jim Croce. Alex is a passionate rock climber, and his love of nature naturally flows into his songwriting. His performances on the festival circuit made people prick up their ears, and while he has released an EP and several singles, his new album “Sun Of Amen”, on ATO Records, is his first full album release. Americana UK’s Martin Johnson caught up with Alex in his backyard in New York, or as we in the UK call it, the garden, and he explains how much of a constant change is in his life, likening it to the natural flow of the seasons. He shares the influence that the guitar playing of the late great Clarence White has had on his own approach to guitar. Interestingly, he explains that California Blues was written when he was only 15 and before he had even been there, which, in his mind, leads him to believe that songwriting can also involve writing about future experiences. However, this is not always clear at the time. Finally, he confirms he will be playing the End Of The Road Festival in the UK in September.
Alex Amen’s “Sun Of Amen” is out now on ATO Records.
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