Our Wild America originated as a 5-piece band formed by singer-songwriter Alec Gross in NYC in 2014. With residencies at clubs like Rockwood Music Hall, The Living Room, and Caffe Vivaldi, OWA quickly established itself as a leading band in the Americana/Rock scene of the city’s Lower East Side, performing a dark and heavy brand they refer to as “Cinematic Americana”.

As for the origins of the name:

“I was writing about tall tale characters in Greek tragedies but taking place in rural, 19th and early 20th century American settings.  ‘Our Wild America”’was supposed to hint at what that imagined kind of American music would sound like, but now. It was supposed to hint at the lost wilderness, of the land and of the spirit. And since I was writing about supercharged characters, mainly, it was about all the weirdos and freaks who continue to make this a wild place. A shared wild place. Our wild place.” – Alec Gross

Moving to Los Angeles in 2018, the project took on additional literary and theatrical elements, composing and staging “Ghost In The Girl”, an original musical, and “The Outlaw Tales”, a collection of songs and scenes all about figures too righteous or too villainous to live by the law.

As for comparisons and inspiration, look to Wilco, Beck’s “Sea Change” and “Morning Phase”, and “Cold Roses”-era Ryan Adams. Alec talks about his biggest songwriting influences:

 “Dylan was the force that blew me out of the water when I was 13. He translated all the music that came before him into something I could hear and then he twisted what pop music and rock n roll could be into something that was wild and challenging and literate and weird. And personal. Folks who haven’t listened to Dylan all that much might not realize how vulnerable and personal his voice and his songs are. That’s what hooks the die-hards.

I’m also a devoted Beatles fan and worshipper as everyone should be. I’m a John guy, but I love Paul more and more as I get wiser.

Bob Marley blows me away with the economy of his lines. In “Turn Your Lights Down Low” he wrote one of the best lyrics of all time when he sings, “Oh, I, oh, I, oh, I”, because in two words he’s told you everything.

Paul Simon can fit wild lyrics to meter and tell deep personal stories filled with mystery and musicality.

Bruce Springsteen showed how the mundane is the richest source material for art, and how to work tirelessly for your craft and for your audience. He demonstrated what the power of a band can do better than anyone.

Ryan Adams showed me how you could write timeless songs in our time. 

Jeff Tweedy and Wilco showed me what being a lifelong songwriter and musical experimentalist means.”

Leading off with the cosmic western single, “Fuel To Burn” Our Wild America released 7 new singles in 2021 on all streaming services. A new album featuring the songs Rosa and Read My Fortune will be released by Fall 2025.