Odesza - The Musical Biography of a Contemporary Mastermind

From playing small gigs in the Pacific Northwest, Odesza (Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight) has gone on to become one of the most sought-after contemporary electronic music producers. Both of them grow up in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and were college-mates in Western Washington University.

Together, Odesza began their journey playing at festivals and releasing albums that quickly gained widespread acclaim. They've become known for their dreamy, warp-speed beats, echoing soundscapes, and otherworldly vocals.

If you're curious to learn more about Odesza's musical biography, this article will take you on a journey through his evolution as an artist, from his beginnings to his most famous albums and projects.

Early Days and Influences

Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight quickly strayed from the mainstream path, heavily influenced by indie rock and shoegaze experimentalism during their college years.

Odesza's production style has roots in early electronic pioneers such as Boards of Canada and Cam?o. Harisson said in an interview that It's impossible to understate how much early electronic music influenced us. It gave us permission to experiment with our sound while retaining that consistent groove that still resonates with people today.

Noteworthy Albums:

Odesza's first full-length album, Summer's Gone, debuted in 2012. Since then, the group has consistently put out chart-topping albums. In My Friend's Never Die (2013), Odesza embraced a new wave of electronic pop with intricate, snappy beats. Actress would refer back to In Return (2015) as a beautiful time capsule of a moment where music was at a certain tipping point in terms of experimentation.

Their most recent album, A Moment Apart (2017), explores various territories of sound by combining synthesized sounds with live instrumentation. The album features collaborations with Regina Spektor, Leon Bridges, and more.

Their most recent album, A Moment Apart (2017), explores various territories of sound by combining synthesized sounds with live instrumentation. The album features collaborations with Regina Spektor, Leon Bridges, and more.

Most Famous Songs

Odesza has multiple hits to its credit such as Say My Name, Say Something, and Line of Sight. Say My Name, became an instant sensation with its soulful earworm of a chorus. They expanded their sound with Line of Sight, a brightly-hued dance-pop track featuring vocals by WYNNE and Mansionair.

Say Something is a quintessential Odesza teaser that quickly builds up with soaring strings and soulful instrumentation while vocalist Naomi Wild croons about the power of spoken words.

Odesza's music is a treat for the ears, and his biography is one to be inspired by. Gaming from beginnings in the Pacific Northwest, Mills and Knigh's musical journey is a testament to what dedication, experimentation, and risk-taking could do.

With his music, Odesza has developed a unique sound that is distinctly his, with the style evolving over time. If you're a music lover and haven't listened to Odesza's tracks, go on, I dare you to give him a listen.