Graham Czach

Graham Czach is an artist-activist and accomplished upright and electric bassist, composer, producer, vocalist, and guitarist.

Releasing his new full-length concept album Originalien on Ropeadope Records in 2023, the collection of 11 songs is not bound by any traditional convention. Started at the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, the album tells a sincere heartfelt story with larger-than-life musical arrangements featuring a host of all-star guests and collaborators, including GRAMMY nominated artist Rachel Eckroth, Angelo Moore of Fishbone, the Budapest Scoring Symphony Orchestra, drummer and artist Makaya McCraven, and many more.

When the pandemic stopped many musicians and artists in their tracks, Czach was inspired to dig deep and create something that would realize his passion to tell a story and make a difference through music once again. He started an ambitious project with the first song he wrote for the new concept album Originalien called “Come Home Again”, which features 33 professional musicians and friends benefiting the COVID Musicians Relief Fund to help musicians out of work and in need. With the success of this endeavor, it opened up a flood gate of ideas and creativity to take him on a journey for the next 10 months of writing, arranging, and organizing the “One Human” Project featuring a world orchestra and 123 Artists from 110 Countries benefiting UNICEF, which went on to break a world record for “Most Nationalities Contributing Vocals to a Musical Recording (Single Song)”.

“One Human” is a prime example of Czach’s purpose behind the album, which is to tell a collective story through music that no matter what our differences are, we must seek empathy and understanding for each other through the shared bond of co-existence and experiencing the human condition. “We are stronger together, and few things exemplify this message more than Graham Czach’s ONE HUMAN project – bringing together artists from all over the world to support UNICEF’s lifesaving work.”, says UNICEF.

The song and accompanying music video for “One Human” is an epic magical masterpiece that tugs at the heart strings and erases all borders literally and figuratively. It features performances by Senegalese legend Cheikh Lô, GRAMMY award winner Dobet Gnahoré, Juno award winner Alpha Yaya Diallo, Kris Myers (Umphrey’s McGee), Miss Bolivia Claudia Arce Lemaitre, Greek superstar George Perris, Japanese Taiko drumming group Yamato, and many more. Ethereal, euphoric and deeply spiritual, it is an example of world music at its finest. Written at a time when the very fabric of humanity’s existence was under threat, it is an astounding track that brought comfort at a moment when we needed it most. Czach explains the project, saying, "This song and video tell the story of all of us, and creates something special and unique in showing how we are so much stronger and better as a whole. By coming together as one, through compassion and the universal language of music, we can unite in a higher consciousness, as one people, to help solve our many crises in the world.”

From the musical melting pot of Chicago to the ethereal beauty of the Californian coast, Czach’s work is a stunning example of intricate sounds merged with a kaleidoscope of influences ranging from the jazz of Miles Davis to classical masterpieces by the likes of Debussy and Tchaikovsky to the classic rock of Led Zeppelin and the Beatles to the sounds of Fela Kuti’s afrobeat, James Brown funk, brooding singer-songwriters like Jeff Buckley, and beyond. Originally from the Windy City and now based out of Los Angeles, Graham has been releasing music for over a decade under various guises that have gone on to win awards and establish himself as an artist capable of anything and everything.

Fusing modern and progressive rock sensibilities with pop-like hooks, genre-bending arrangements and lush orchestrations, he defies classification as an artist with a unique sound all his own. According to the Chicago Tribune about Czach’s debut album Lucid (2010), “Graham Czach is already a music lifer… The album swings between polar extremes from guitar-heavy, prog-rock jams into more tender fare like “True Love”, a Paul McCartney-esque ballad bathed in lush strings.” From Czach’s live performances to his extraordinary studio and recording career, the dramatic and the brilliantly diverse soundscapes he delivers are complimented by the roster of incredible featured artists he collaborates with. He has garnered the respect of major music merchants as well, and has endorsements with D’Addario, Eden Amps, Fender, Guild, QSC, Mono Cases, and Souldier Straps.

“I’ve always been about breaking down barriers that separate people from each other and our true potential of coming together as a united global community, whether that be standing up for human rights or bringing people together of all kinds through the universal language of music.” He views his work as an extension of his inspiration and passion for helping people, explaining, “Any music, regardless of genre, that makes you feel something deeply and can change your life by inspiring you, healing you, or helping you take a step outside yourself and see things in a different way, including gaining a compassionate and respectful perspective, is the music that moves me the most and what I strive to create.”

Born in Chicago in the Summer of 1979, Graham’s music loving parents named him after the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Graham Nash of CSNY, and was raised on the classic rock of the 60’s/70’s, which he still cites as his main creative influences. Czach picked up the upright and electric bass at the age of 8 to play with his brother on guitar. He soon fell in love with all types of music and joined the orchestra and jazz band in school, going on to form a popular ska/rock band in the 90’s with drummer Kris Myers of Umphrey’s McGee called the Skalawags, selling out shows and getting offered a major label record deal with EMI. After the band rejected the offer, Czach continued his music studies with a scholarship to attend Illinois Wesleyan University where he graduated with a BM in Music Performance and Composition.

He returned to Chicago in 2002 and delved head into the music scene making several albums, winning multiple Chicago Music Awards, and doing extensive tours with the Chicago Afrobeat Project. During this time, his experience and talent grew by performing with some of the best in music including GRAMMY winners Paul Wertico and Howard Levy, as well as forming a progressive jazz fusion trio with now acclaimed jazz artists Makaya McCraven and Greg Spero called GMG (Greg, Makaya, Graham) releasing a self-titled debut album in 2009 with subsequent touring.

The Chicago Music Award Winner's 2010 debut album Lucid features Kris Myers (Umphrey's McGee) on drums plus brilliant artwork by album artist Jeff Jordan (The Mars Volta). Proceeds from the album release show were donated to Planned Parenthood of Illinois, who Czach partnered with for the event. Featured on WGN TV Morning News, the Chicago Tribune, and Chicago’s premiere LGBTQ+ newspaper, the Windy City Times noted, “Lucid contains the timeless "Keep You" and the sing-along-worthy "Gather Round”.”

Czach continued to hone his craft as a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist while writing music for his next record. Working from a palette that not only paints a picture of extraordinary textures, but also sends a socially conscious message that shines a light on what it means to be human, he was able to capture that ability to imagine the world through intelligent and empathetic eyes leading to collaborations and performances that have seen him in high demand by his peers.

He was featured on the Matt Nelson Trio album Nostalgiamaniac (2010) receiving 4-Stars in Downbeat Magazine, recorded double bass on GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco’s album Lasers (2011), and over the next few years performed and recorded with indie pop band Hey Champ, singer-songwriters Andrew Ripp and Jeff Goldford, and performed in an acoustic blues band with Big Head Todd and Chicago blues legend Ronnie Baker Brooks, which was featured on WGN TV News. Czach also shared stages with notable artists Les Claypool, Seun Kuti, the Wailers, and more, as well as recording on the debut album by Saint Asonia (2015) while working with GRAMMY nominated producer Johnny K. A standout moment for Czach was when he was invited by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins to perform at his teashop in Highland Park, IL, which Billy personally attended and then connected Czach with his producer/engineer. A “full circle” experience, Czach noted, drawing a lot of influence from Billy and the Smashing Pumpkins.

The critically acclaimed 2015 sophomore release Star By Star EP has songs co-produced by producer/engineer Bjorn Thorsrud (Smashing Pumpkins), Manny Sanchez (Fall Out Boy), and GRAMMY winner Greg Magers (J. Ivy). It also features Dylan McGee Jones (Gallant, Booker T) on guitar and Jonathan Marks (Dessa) on drums. Power Popaholic pronounced, “Like a modern Howard Jones meets David Bowie… Czach is a musical artist of the first order, and has both a solid voice and melodic gift, blending modern and progressive styles with pop hooks…” The EP was featured in LA Weekly, AXS/Examiner, Buzzbands LA, The Deli, PureVolume, and more. BVS Reviews stated that Star by Star, “…captured the essence of psychedelic 60’s music while wrapping it up in a modern rock package.”

In addition to his solo albums, after moving to Los Angeles, Graham formed Rebel Rampage in 2017, a protest rock power trio and released the debut full-length album Divided We Fall in late 2018 featuring Angelo Moore (Fishbone) and Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara). The album was recorded at the famed Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, CA with owner Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age) and mixed by 4-time GRAMMY winner Adam Kasper (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden).

"Armed with words and music to resist oppression by the government and inspire change for equality and justice.", Czach cites as the band mission statement and elaborates in interviews with LATV and All Access, “It's our reaction to the outrageous corruption and darkness that has fallen over this country and is dividing it, hence the name of the album. I hope that people get charged up and inspired to make a difference and take action from listening to these songs in order to make this world and country a better, kinder, and fairer place to live. If we can change just one person's life with this music and make a positive impact, then our mission is a success. One person at a time.” The band toured the U.S. in 2019 and partnered with the ACLU of Southern California, which led to opening for Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) at the ACLU 100 Year Anniversary Celebration in Downtown Los Angeles.

Originalien is a culmination of Czach’s long and diverse career in music. In a magnum opus of grand design with an accompanying concept story in and around the lyrics, the album challenges controversial issues like science, religion, war, racism, and more through philosophical and abstract ideas with universal messages told via large scale, ornate, and deeply emotional arrangements and songs. The concept is about a man that is born remembering his past lives and knowing that the human being, soul, or consciousness is extra-terrestrial, inhabiting our organic bodies to survive on Earth. He goes through life trying to help humanity learn from history with important messages about our beings that he carries with him from across the universe in order to make the world a better place, before it's too late and humanity meets its fate.

Originalien blazes a new path where music doesn’t need to fit into a genre or be classified, rather it ties together a wide range of influences from the past and present to propel the music forward into the future in a new light with a completely unique sound free from the molds that constrain us. Czach’s work commands instant attention of the listener with its authenticity and emotional sincerity wrapped in sonic spheres rich in texture and depth, where you discover something new upon each listen. Czach expands on his process and the new album, articulating, “I’m a very visual composer inspired by real life experiences, issues, and causes, where I can see the scene and story unfolding through the music. This album comes from a very deep place in my being during some of the hardest times the world, myself included, has seen and lived through. The limitless realm of sounds in all forms and genres of music, even in nature, help me to conceive ideas and bring the music to life, utilizing the textures of any and all instruments, as well as the help from the amazing talented musicians I collaborate with. I’m just trying to leave the world a better place than it was when I entered it.”

All Music and Lyrics by: Graham Czach

Orchestrated and Arranged by: Graham Czach

Produced by: Graham Czach; Additional Production by: Dylan McGee Jones

Engineered and Mixed by: Graham Czach at Sliced Tomato Studios, Los Angeles, CA

“Come Home Again” Mixed by: Geoff Foster at AIR Studios, London, UK

Mastered by: Howie Weinberg and Will Borza at Howie Weinberg Mastering, Los Angeles, CA

Album Cover Art by: Joanna Sokolowska

Performed by:

Graham Czach – vocals, electric bass, upright bass, synth bass, acoustic & electric guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion

Rachel Eckroth – vocals (3)

Angelo Moore – vocals (7)

Dylan McGee Jones – electric guitar (3, 4, 6, 7, 8), 12-string acoustic guitar (6), synth bass (4)

Matt Nelson – piano (6)

Al Cleveland III – drums (3, 4, 8, 9, 10)

Makaya McCraven – drums (5, 7)

Brandon Dickert – drums (6)

Orchestra Performed by:

The Budapest Scoring Symphony Orchestra

“One Human” Performers/Artists:

Vocalists: (alphabetical order by country)

Andorra - Juli Barrero, Antigua and Barbuda - Shermain Jeremy, Argentina - Nadia Larcher, Australia - Deline Briscoe, Austria - Nadine Beiler, Bahamas - Javan Hunt, Bahrain - Ala Ghawas, Bangladesh - Topu, Belgium - Lien Fournier, Belize - Melonie Gillett, Bhutan - Kilu Music School, Bolivia - Claudia Arce Lemaitre, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Davor Badrov, Brazil - Luciano Antonio, Brunei Darussalam - Neecia Majolly, Burkina Faso - Mai Lingani, Cabo Verde – Fantcha, Cambodia - Bonny B, Cameroon - Kareyce Fotso, Cameroon - Henri Dikongue, Cayman Islands - Sea N’ B, Chile - K-Bust, China, Macau - Soler, Colombia - Fatiniza, Costa Rica - Izmael Pacheco, Côte d'Ivoire - Dobet Gnahore, Croatia - Dado Topic, Curaçao - Izaline Calister, Cyprus - Constantinos Christoforou, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Junior Bay, Dominica - Exile One (Gordon Henderson), Ecuador - Margarita Laso, Estonia - Silver Sepp, Ethiopia - Minyeshu, Fiji - Elena Baravilala, Finland - Sakke Wallenius, France - Tom Frager, France - Diklau, French Polynesia - Florent Atem, Gabon - Jann Halexander, Gambia - Yusupha Ngum, Germany - Marius-Antonin Fleck, Ghana - Sherifa Gunu, Greece - George Perris, Greenland - Hans Peter Anthonsen, Guatemala - Mercedes Escobar, Guinea / Canada - Alpha Yaya Diallo, Guinea-Bissau - Kimi Djabate, Guyana - Terry Gajraj, Honduras - Polache, Hungary - Boggie, India - Silvia Fernandes, Indonesia - Sandhy Sondoro, Iraq / Canada - Nova Emad, Israel - Adam Ben Ezra, Italy - Enrico Nadai, Japan - Rie fu, Jordan / UK - Rania Kurdi, Kenya - Eric Wainaina, Laos - Sam Intharaphithak, Latvia - Katrina Bindere, Liechtenstein - Al Walser, Lithuania - Rasa Kaušiūtė, Luxembourg - Daniel Balthasar, Mongolia - Narandulam, Mongolia - Sosorbaram, Montenegro - Nina Žižić, Morocco - Hamid Bouchnak, Mozambique - Mingas, Myanmar - Graham, Netherlands - Frank van Engelen, Nicaragua - Ceshia Ubau, Niger - Alhousseini Anivolla, Nigeria - Aramide, Norway - Maria Spikkeland (Miriel), Oman - Thanae Pachiyannaki, Pakistan - Maaz Moeed, Panama - Rafael Moreno, Paraguay - India Guaraní, Peru - Karin Zielinski, Philippines - Joey Ayala, Poland - Agnieszka Iwanska, Puerto Rico - Marina Molina, Republic of Moldova - Ana Everling, Republic of Macedonia - Andrijana Janevska, Russia - Julia Samoylova, Rwanda - Ben Kayiranga, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Skarpyon, Saudi Arabia - Waed, Senegal - Cheikh Lô, Sierra Leone - Emmerson Bockarie, Singapore - Jonathan Chua, Sint Maarten - BettiV, Spain - Aurora Guirado, Sri Lanka - Tharanga Goonetilleke, State of Palestine - Lina Sleibi, Suriname - Conchita Leeflang, Sweden / Tanzania - SaRaha, Switzerland - Serge Gauya, Thailand - John Rattanaveroj, Togo - Lord Carlos, Trinidad and Tobago - John Skweird, Turkey - Sibel Tüzün, Turks and Caicos - Csavi, Uganda - Rachel Magoola, USA - Graham Czach, Uruguay - Max Capote, Uzbekistan - Nasiba Abdullayeva, Venezuela - Elizabeth Ayoub, Zambia - Yvonne Mwale, Zimbabwe - Victor Kunonga

Instrumentalists:

bagpipes - Stuart Liddell (Scotland), french horn - Richard Bissill (UK), trumpet - Ingrid Jensen (Canada), trombone - Luke Malewicz (Poland / USA), drums - Kris Myers (USA), djembe - Bolokada Conde (Guinea), taiko drums - Yamato (Japan), acoustic guitar - Alpha Yaya Diallo (Guinea / Canada), acoustic & elec. guitar, elec. & synth bass, percussion - Graham Czach (USA), mandolin - Alon Sariel (Israel), sitar - Sheema Mukherjee (India / UK), santoor - Abhay Sopori (India), violin 1 & 2 - Erica Carpenedo (Italy), viola - Julie Pusch (USA), cello - Katt Newlon (USA), double bass, oud - Adam Ben Ezra (Israel), hurdy-gurdy - Matthias Loibner (Austria)

“Come Home Again” Performers/Artists:

Vanessa Bryan - vocals, Cedric Jefferson - vocals, Leslie Beukelman - vocals, Rich Perez - vocals, Amber Tripp - vocals, Gina Saputo - vocals, Sarah Marie Young - vocals, Michele Thomas - vocals, Myles Hayes - vocals, Amanda Wolff - vocals, JD King - vocals, Graham Czach - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric bass, Chris Siebold - electric guitars, lap steel, Matt Nelson - piano, Greg Spero - piano, organ, Sam Barsh - organ, celeste, synth, Aaron Provisor - wurly, bells, Alex Burke - vibraphone, Jonathan Marks - congas, percussion, Rich Stitzel - percussion, Jerry Roe - drums, Brian Niebuhr - trumpet, Angelo Moore - tenor sax, Alexander Mathias - tenor sax, Mark Thomson - trombone, Luke Malewicz - trombone, Gina Wood - violin, Katherine Andrick - violin, Chihsuan Yang - violin, Arianne Urban - violin, Julie Pusch - violin, viola, Michelle Packman - cello, Judith Hanna - double bass