The Alchemy Unit was formed by New York-based guitarist and songwriter, Ash Umhey. Initially conceived as a solo studio project, it grew to include additional musicians, and ultimately developed into a full band. The debut album Moon Strings on the Fringe was independently released in December 2006. Its unique blend of psychedelic indie rock, punk, funk, jazz, and experimental music garnered enthusiastic reviews.

This was followed by the expansive Eprouvette Ascenseur album in 2010. The band performed numerous live shows during this time, including the Rock the Resort Festival headlined by KRS-One, DJ Logic, Soulive, and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Subsequent lineup changes and the emergence of other projects resulted in a two-year hiatus during which Ash performed and recorded with Plush Crustaceans, Venture Lift, Les Bicyclettes Blanches, and other artists in the Hudson Valley, New York, and Paris.

The Alchemy Unit returned with the Time and Space album in 2014, its strongest effort to date thanks in large part to a re-vamped rhythm section. A new lineup was established in 2017, playing occasional live shows while working on material for the next album. Recording sessions continued through 2019 but unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic marked the dissolution of this incarnation of the band. The resulting Sketches From a Dark Cloud album was eventually released at the end of 2021.

Currently, Ash is working on new music with Walking Bombs, Sacred Crab, and other artists. There are tentative plans to record and release new Alchemy Unit material in late 2023 or early 2024.

Ash Umhey - vocals, guitar, bass, organ & keyboards, synthesizer, percussion

Members and Guests:

Matias Gagliardone – alto saxophone

Garett Grassi – guitar, bass, keyboard and effects

Trevor Grassi – accordion

Stephen Hoelter – drums and percussion

Don Hover – guitar, bass, ukulele, percussion

Ben Larkin – drums and percussion

Ben Orick – drums and percussion

Alana Orr – bass

Skip Piper – drums and percussion

Alan Silverman – drums

Aaron Thomas – vocals, percussion

Stanton Warren – alto saxophone, keyboard

Scott White – bass, backing vocals, drums

Brandon Wolf – drums

James Zemlock – bass and drums