Biography
“The idea of naming this project No Accidents,” says Alex Sniderman, "came from reading a lot about spirituality during the period these songs were written. I was in a rough place and looking for answers, and was reading work from a variety of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. They all agreed that there are no coincidences in life—that every occurrence, no matter how large or small, has meaning and something to teach. That was really a sea change in my perception, and it's reflected in this group of songs.”
The Ann Arbor, Michigan-born, Tennessee-raised, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter-guitarist has spent more than 20 years building a formidable, personally charged body of work, making consistently compelling music that's won the hearts of those fortunate enough to hear it. Sniderman's admirers include legendary MC5 guitar hero Wayne Kramer, who produced his first album and called Alex "a true undiscovered genius."
The five-song Vol. 1 was written, played, and produced at Sniderman's home and at revolutionsound, the Brooklyn studio that he shares with noted musician/producer dr. Israel. The new songs marry Sniderman's sharp lyrical turns of phrase and raw guitar drive with elements of hip-hop production that take the songs in unexpected directions.
Vol. 1 reflects Sniderman's experiences working on hip-hop sessions at revolutionsound, and the lessons he’s learned working with young inmates at Riker's Island and two NYC juvenile facilities through Jail Guitar Doors, a nonprofit organization that offers songwriting workshops for inmates across America and the U.K. He also works as a musician and facilitator with clients living with conditions including schizophrenia, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
The songs on Vol. 1 were inspired by the demise of several musical and personal relationships that took Sniderman to the brink of despair and forced him to find a way back. "Writing these songs was therapy," Sniderman recalls, "but I wasn't sure I'd be able to play them for anyone, much less perform or record them."
Enter old friend Jason Loewenstein (Sebadoh, Fiery Furnaces), who recorded Sniderman's rhythm guitar and vocals to a click track at their shared apartment. After befriending dr. Israel at his weekly DJ gig, Sniderman knew he'd found his new direction. Doc encouraged Sniderman to keep working and build the tracks up with loops, samples and live instruments. The result is the most technically accomplished and emotion-charged music Sniderman's ever made.
Onstage, No Accidents is Sniderman solo with guitar, voice, electronics and occasional guest players, offering the audience a unique experience at every show. The approach welcomes what some might call mistakes, but Sniderman knows there are No Accidents.
