Andrew Maz and His Band Debut 'Winter' Album with Emotional Symphonies

After spending nine focused months in the studio, Andrew Maz and his band have emerged with their latest creative venture, an album entitled Winter. The inception of this project occurred serendipitously when Maz attended an annual winter solstice party thrown by a friend—a gathering characterized not only by celebration but also by musical performances. Initially, Maz penned the album's titular track for this festive event; yet, it remained unperformed, living in silence for two years before Maz found the muse to develop an album around it.

The idea of Winter as a love story gradually took shape in Maz's mind, although the conclusion of this narrative remained undefined until the album's construction began. Imagery of winter personified and the romantic allure of the season played a significant role in defining the album's direction. Maz cites influences from the fantastical, such as the Ice Queen from 'The Chronicles of Narnia', as he considered the enchantment of a winter wonderland and its translation into sound and emotion.

The album itself stands firmly in the rock genre, yet it features orchestral accompaniments that bring depth and emotion to the unfolding story. Since their last performance, which occurred before the interruption caused by Covid-19, the band has seen the introduction of new members who have added fresh dynamics to their sound.

Formed in 2019 by Maz, the band initially consisted of three of his former students—Sergio German, Mikey Enriquez, and Joel Alvarez—who all brought unique contributions to the mix. German, the guitarist, spurred Maz to add lyrics to one of his instrumental pieces, which led to the idea of creating a band. Enriquez joined after an amusingly abrupt invitation, and Alvarez was recruited after a chance late arrival to class secured him the role of bassist. Later additions include Eric Orellana to manage the rich orchestral parts originally meant for a sole keyboardist, and Nadia Aponte, joining in 2020, bringing her piano expertise to the fore. Mars, the final addition as a vocalist, managed to complete her tracking in just three weeks, showcasing the efficient and committed nature of the band.

After completing the album, the band quickly pivoted to rehearsals, with each member contributing and collaborating to hone their unique sound. Despite the original plans for a 2020 release being waylaid by circumstances beyond their control, the band's enthusiasm for their work has not diminished. They look forward to sharing the fruits of their labor with an eager audience.

Listeners can now experience Winter on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify, where the emotional and auditory journey crafted by Andrew Maz and his band awaits.

album, inspiration, creation