September 25, 2020 – Like many artists, it’s been an interesting year for Los Angeles based indie artist Opus Vitae, whose new full-length album
Gramercy, is out today. Before the pandemic, things were hectic and building up to be busier for Banah Winn, aka Opus Vitae, but quarantine has forced the contemplative artist to take things a little slower; a regular yogi, he gives more time now to his practice. He takes on new adventures, seeking out pieces of LA he’d yet to explore. Even in his artistry, he’s taking it to new heights; this summer he performed acoustic on a cliff for
The Wild Honey Pie sessions.
As for Gramercy, the record is a compilation stretching to all ends of the rock spectrum, with lyrics that encase everything from thoughts on Stephen Hawking and the end of the world in “The End of the Road,” to manhood and the attachment to wealth in “Rich Man,” with childhood memories in “Chasing Ducks” and so much more. Since Banah began work on the music a couple years ago, life has evolved. A song for his girlfriend, has now become an ex. Certain things that seemed so important before COVID-19 hit, have changed very much so, giving new meaning to some of the tracks. Banah says, “Gramercy is an autobiographical product I intend to be a fluid narrative in which each song seeks to capture the emotion or feeling of a moment in time.”
Much in the same vein as Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Opus Vitae composes and records everything solo. As someone who places all the work on himself, Banah is a man of much contemplation and emotional discovery. In a similar discourse to Tame Impala, listeners can find themselves lost in the seemingly simple nuances that build into greater intricacies of the mind. Opus Vitae means “life’s work,” something Banah wants to capture and create all while living within the moment.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Banah grew up the son of hippie parents struggled to find his own voice after the generation of rebellion and excess. Moving to Los Angeles, he’s made a promise to find self-acceptance and empathy for others. In the fast-paced city of dreams, he finds peace through the daily practice of yoga and connecting with others on a visceral level through his music. He’s been featured on Buzzbands, Variance, Tower Records, Consequence of Sound, and The Wild Honey Pie, as well as the LA radio stations KROQ, KCSN, and Alt 98.7.
For more info and artist updates, connect with Opus Vitae on social media and follow him on streaming platforms.
