Track-by-Track: Strat Andriotis Unpacks His Latest Record ‘Exits’

If you’ve followed Strat Andriotis’ musical career, you would know that he doesn’t commit himself to any particular sound or genre. Each of his seven studio albums has moved in many different musical directions. He has become known for his inventive blends of jazz, rock, and classical music.  It’s not surprising, considering his earliest musical influences were rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Cream. But then, as his interests diversified, he began to get interested in jazz, and it only took a Miles Davis record or two to get him hooked. Over the course of his career, Andriotis has collaborated with many wonderful artists, such as Grammy-winning pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, violinist Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), and legendary bassist Tony Levin.

Andriotis returned last month with his latest studio album, Exits, released via Dekatria Records. The album is a rich showcase of intricate melodies, harmonic sophistication, and rhythmic innovation. It also features plenty of his virtuoso guitar playing, which he has been honing for most of his life. It’s been an impressive musical journey for Andriotis, but there’s still so much more musical territory for him to discover and conquer.

We are pleased to be joined by Strat Andriotis today for an exclusive Track-by-Track rundown of his latest work, Exits.

1. “Dominions”

“A take on the consuming greed that envelops some individuals to want more possessions, properties, territories to rule over. The beginning progression of the song highlights chaotic stops and starts.”

2. Far Away Tears”

“Long distance relationships that usually end in sadness. I have been through this situation a couple of times. You think I would have learned my lesson the first time. This song has melancholy chords and melodies to reflect.”

3. “Replaced”

“That feeling not being wanted anymore and replaced by someone or something else. Sometimes people prefer the new shiny objects over the past ones. It could be devastating to some, especially when they don’t see it coming. The mysterious chords in the beginning followed by an intro melody may evoke that situation.”

4. “Between You and I”

“Secrets being kept by two people only. I am sure this has happened to all of us from time to time. Relationships can get challenged when one of the two people decides to mention their secret to a third person. This usually spirals to everybody knowing your business. The haunting melody reflects just that.”

5. “While We Wait”

“Imagine waiting for a situation to be resolved and not being told what the delay is. It gives you a sort of a Kafkaesque feeling of being sent to different places and not knowing why. You can also interpret this song as something less complicated like, ‘We are having a drink while we wait for our table.’ The beginning quirky chords might evoke this image.”

6. “Timer”

“The time changes in this song reflect just that. The time signatures are 4/4,6/4, with 5/4 and 7/4 for the bridge and then a nice 4/4 swing. I didn’t set up this tune for an exercise in different time signatures, it just happened to be the melody I had in my head. Timer was what came to my mind first to call the song.”

Strat Andriotis ‘Exits’ album artwork

7. “Will It Ever Be The Same”

“The feeling of knowing a fantastic moment in your life that probably will not give you the same wonderful experience that you originally had. Though we might try and try again to repeat that feeling, it’s just not there. The song has a few long spaces between chord changes to reflect solace.”

8. “Exits”

“Imagine looking for a way to get out of a bad situation or relationship. Your mind is racing with ideas and options to escape. You ask yourself, ‘How do I get out of this!’ and ‘Why did I put myself in this situation?’ Symptoms can get worse the longer you prolong. The erratic melody line in the beginning conjures that feeling.”