Alan Semerdjian

Alan Semerdjian is an Armenian-American musician, writer, educator, and the 9th Poet Laureate of New York’s Nassau County. His work always seems to find its way to those who want a little more out of the music they let into their lives. Perhaps it's his insistence on doing things his own way and staying true to his vision of the world, one informed by years of creating art, writing essays and poems, and teaching high school English in the New York City/Long Island area. Or maybe it's his allegiance to the universal themes of longing and reflection. His is a fierce new kind of modern Romanticism that paints stark yet vivid portraits of our interior spaces and our vulnerabilities while always suggesting love for the human condition and hope for a better tomorrow. Whatever the reason, Semerdjian is beloved by his community of listeners and those in the know since the 1990s with his bands Surreal, Groove Pantry, Milquetoast, Stratosphere, watercats, and his solo work as a songwriter and spoken word artist and performing poet. For an annotated archive of Alan’s musical catalogue, please visit www.amerge.bandcamp.com 

“An impressive contemporary sound - rich, textured songs and poetic lyrics”

   (Relix)

“Seriously dreamy pop rock.” 

   (Jim Testa, Jersey Beat, on Surreal)

 “A journeyman singer-songwriter, Alan’s take on our culture spans the depth and breadth of the many collections of styles that make up rock & roll, and true Americana.”

   (Jim Faith, Creator, Great South Bay Music Festival)

"I've long been enamored of Semerdjian's unique blend of music, poetry, and performance art...his latest evokes a visual response apropos of his soulful introspection."

   (Jeremy Newberger, Ironbound Films, on Quiet Songs for Loud Times)

“One of the best albums I’ve received all year”

   (John Platt, WFUV, on When There Was Something Wrong With You)

“Required listening from an essential talent”

   (Wildy’s World on The Big Beauty)