Echo Orbiter
Encyclopedia
Echo Orbiter is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, based indie rock
band founded by brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle, described by Philadelphia Weekly
as being "Widely considered two of the most inventive songwriters on the [Philadelphia] scene."
when brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle began performing with drummer Jeremiah Steffen. Still in high school, the band entered Miner St. Studios in Philadelphia to record their first album, A Moment in Life That’s Right . Engineered by Brian McTear, the album was “a consistent incorporation of pleasingly-textured pop tunes.” with what one writer called a resemblance to “Guided by Voices
when they made albums that didn’t suck.”
Soon after the release of their first album, the appearance of the track “Spring is Here” on a compilation of Philadelphia’s newly emerging indie
bands helped EO gain a spot at the Philadelphia PopFest in 1998 and 1999, and a headlining spot at the PopFest in 2000. The band received widespread coverage after “group members pummeled a giant cardboard robot head, obliterated a couple of guitars and violently dismantled their drum kit,” while destroying the venue’s stage equipment in a “Who
-like” manner at the 1999 PopFest.
The band re-entered Miner St./Cycle Sound Studios in 1999 and recorded their second album, Laughing All The While , which was again engineered by Brian McTear and partly co-engineered by Kurt Heasley of Lilys
. At this time, EO began to associate with the Elephant 6 Collective, appearing on compilations with of Montreal
, often performing with Beulah
, of Montreal, and the Minders
, and releasing a split-45 with Calvin, Don't Jump!
.
In 2001 the band was in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
, touring with the Starlight Mints
, when the September 11th attacks abruptly ended the tour. Following the broken tour, along with the theft of their instruments, EO discontinued playing live shows altogether, last performing in Providence, Rhode Island
, September 18, 2001 and not returning until 9 years later to the day.
“Never Click” on Never Lose That Feeling released in the United Kingdom
and Japan
on Claire Records and on Club AC30 in the United States.
During this time EO also recorded 6 albums, 3 EP's, 5 singles, and 9 full-length compilation albums to accompany the albums and EP's, “clocking up 15 years at the coalface of indiedom” with a prolific "collection of superb three-minute pop bursts...."
. The album’s experimental nature mixed a range of influences from writer Ayn Rand
to The Flaming Lips
. The album was recorded to reflect the same Cubist style of Picasso’s paintings
in music form and was described as “an innovative landmark in the world of indie rock.” In 2010 EO also appeared on Sick of the Radio’s New Wave Moons: R. Stevie Moore
Tribute along with Ariel Pink
and XTC
’s Dave Gregory, and represented the United States on Indiecater Record’s Fast Forward compilation for the FIFA World Cup
in South Africa
.
Working along with Green Light Go Publicity to promote Euphonicmontage, Echo Orbiter played their first show in 9 years at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia with Joe Jack Talcum
of The Dead Milkmen on September 18, 2010, 9 years to the day of their last show, and were highlighted as a Cover Story in the Music Issue of the Philadelphia City Paper
.
Echo Orbiter is currently set to release a free EP
of songs recorded entirely on an iPhone
, and are working on their 10th studio album set for release in 2012.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, based indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band founded by brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle, described by Philadelphia Weekly
Philadelphia Weekly
Philadelphia Weekly , is an award-winning alternative newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, published every Wednesday.The paper was founded in 1971 as a sister publication to the South Philadelphia Press. In 1995, the paper became Philadelphia Weekly...
as being "Widely considered two of the most inventive songwriters on the [Philadelphia] scene."
Early years
Echo Orbiter formed in 1996 in Westville, New JerseyWestville, New Jersey
Westville is a Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,501. The Borough of Westville is known as "The Gateway to South Jersey."...
when brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle began performing with drummer Jeremiah Steffen. Still in high school, the band entered Miner St. Studios in Philadelphia to record their first album, A Moment in Life That’s Right . Engineered by Brian McTear, the album was “a consistent incorporation of pleasingly-textured pop tunes.” with what one writer called a resemblance to “Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
when they made albums that didn’t suck.”
Soon after the release of their first album, the appearance of the track “Spring is Here” on a compilation of Philadelphia’s newly emerging indie
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
bands helped EO gain a spot at the Philadelphia PopFest in 1998 and 1999, and a headlining spot at the PopFest in 2000. The band received widespread coverage after “group members pummeled a giant cardboard robot head, obliterated a couple of guitars and violently dismantled their drum kit,” while destroying the venue’s stage equipment in a “Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
-like” manner at the 1999 PopFest.
The band re-entered Miner St./Cycle Sound Studios in 1999 and recorded their second album, Laughing All The While , which was again engineered by Brian McTear and partly co-engineered by Kurt Heasley of Lilys
Lilys
Lilys are an American indie rock band formed in Washington, D.C in 1988. The only constant member is Kurt Heasley, with the line-up changing regularly...
. At this time, EO began to associate with the Elephant 6 Collective, appearing on compilations with of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
, often performing with Beulah
Beulah (band)
Beulah was an indie rock band from San Francisco, California, often associated with The Elephant 6 Recording Company.-Early Years: 1996-1998:...
, of Montreal, and the Minders
The Minders
The Minders is a band closely associated with The Elephant Six Collective. Started by Martyn Leaper in Denver, Colorado in 1996, the band's original members included Leaper on guitars and vocals, Rebecca Cole on drums, Jeff Almond on guitar, and Marc Willhite on bass.Leaper formed the Minders in...
, and releasing a split-45 with Calvin, Don't Jump!
Calvin, Don't Jump!
Calvin, Don't Jump! started as the solo recording project of J. Kirk Pleasant, a musician with extensive connections to the Elephant 6 Collective. Before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he contributed to releases from bands like the Olivia Tremor Control, Black Swan Network, and...
.
In 2001 the band was in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, touring with the Starlight Mints
Starlight Mints
Starlight Mints are an indie pop band from Norman, Oklahoma. The band was formed in the '90s and has varied in size between four and seven members. The current lineup consists of Allan Vest , Andy Nunez , Marian Love Nunez , Ryan Lindsey and Javier Gonzales...
, when the September 11th attacks abruptly ended the tour. Following the broken tour, along with the theft of their instruments, EO discontinued playing live shows altogether, last performing in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, September 18, 2001 and not returning until 9 years later to the day.
2001 to 2010
Although no longer performing live, brothers Justin and Colin continued to record prolifically. During this period the band recorded music for Eventide Production’s short-film Mortality and Get-Kinetic’s short-film 4.50 and appeared on over a dozen compilations by various record labels, including their “life affirming” cover of Medicine'sMedicine (band)
Medicine is an alternative noise-pop/rock band from the San Fernando Valley, United States. They were formed in 1991 by guitarist Brad Laner and signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings label the following year...
“Never Click” on Never Lose That Feeling released in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on Claire Records and on Club AC30 in the United States.
During this time EO also recorded 6 albums, 3 EP's, 5 singles, and 9 full-length compilation albums to accompany the albums and EP's, “clocking up 15 years at the coalface of indiedom” with a prolific "collection of superb three-minute pop bursts...."
2010-present
In 2010 Echo Orbiter released their ninth Studio album, EuphonicmontageEuphonicmontage
Euphonicmontage is the ninth studio album by Echo Orbiter. It was released on Looking Glass Workshop in 2010. The album has been described as “an innovative landmark in the world of indie rock.” All songs were written by Justin Emerle.-Track listing:...
. The album’s experimental nature mixed a range of influences from writer Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism....
to The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
. The album was recorded to reflect the same Cubist style of Picasso’s paintings
Three Musicians
Three Musicians is the title of two similar collage and oil paintings by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. They were both completed in 1921 in Fontainebleau near Paris, France, and exemplify the Synthetic Cubist style...
in music form and was described as “an innovative landmark in the world of indie rock.” In 2010 EO also appeared on Sick of the Radio’s New Wave Moons: R. Stevie Moore
R. Stevie Moore
Robert Steven Moore is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. In addition to having numerous albums released on labels around the world, the prolific Moore has self-released over 400 cassette and CD-R albums since 1968, as well as dozens of home videos, mostly through the R. Stevie Moore...
Tribute along with Ariel Pink
Ariel Pink
Ariel Pink is a Los Angeles-based recording artist who is sometimes associated with the freak folk scene.-Biography:...
and XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
’s Dave Gregory, and represented the United States on Indiecater Record’s Fast Forward compilation for the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Working along with Green Light Go Publicity to promote Euphonicmontage, Echo Orbiter played their first show in 9 years at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia with Joe Jack Talcum
Joe Jack Talcum
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Genaro is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the guitarist and co-lead vocalist for the punk rock group The Dead Milkmen. Currently residing in Philadelphia, Genaro has performed with a number of punk and indie rock groups, most recently including The Low...
of The Dead Milkmen on September 18, 2010, 9 years to the day of their last show, and were highlighted as a Cover Story in the Music Issue of the Philadelphia City Paper
Philadelphia City Paper
Philadelphia City Paper is a free alternative news weekly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established in November 1981 as a spin-off of the now defunct WXPN Express newsletter. New issues are released every Thursday....
.
Echo Orbiter is currently set to release a free EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
of songs recorded entirely on an iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, and are working on their 10th studio album set for release in 2012.
Albums
- A Moment In Life That’s Right (1998), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Laughing All The While (2000), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- On A Deranged Holiday (2001), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Left Here Alone; Smiling (2002), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Qu’est-ce Pour Nous (2003), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Soundscapes, Vol. 1 (2004), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Orphan Kids Withdrawn Out Of This Comedy (2008), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Soundscapes, Vol. 2 (2009), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- EuphonicmontageEuphonicmontageEuphonicmontage is the ninth studio album by Echo Orbiter. It was released on Looking Glass Workshop in 2010. The album has been described as “an innovative landmark in the world of indie rock.” All songs were written by Justin Emerle.-Track listing:...
(2010), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
EPs
- The Khyber Passed (2004), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- The Time Of Ghosts And Clouds (2006), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- The Lost Generation And The Golden Age Of Mysteries (2007), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- More Batteries (2011), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
Singles
- “Lost In The Light” (2001), (split 45 with Calvin, Don't Jump!Calvin, Don't Jump!Calvin, Don't Jump! started as the solo recording project of J. Kirk Pleasant, a musician with extensive connections to the Elephant 6 Collective. Before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he contributed to releases from bands like the Olivia Tremor Control, Black Swan Network, and...
) Perhaps Transparent Records - “Sail The Cabin’s Creek” (2002), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- “I Hope It’s Wonderful” (2002), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- “Small Town America” (2003), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- “I’m Ultracet” (2004), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- “Who Does That Remind You Of?” (2008), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- “Bicycle Superstar” (2010), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- "What Scissors Sing In Their Halo Of Fog" (7" single) (2011), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
Compilation appearances
- “Spring Is Here” appears on Legion of Boom (1999), Ispy Records
- “Mrs. Walker’s Ice Cream” appears on Happy Happy Birthday To Me Vol. 2 (1999), Happy Happy Birthday To Me RecordsHappy Happy Birthday To Me RecordsHappy Happy Birthday To Me Records is an American independent record label based in Athens, Georgia, whose catalogue is rather heavily weighted towards twee indie pop music, with several of its bands being related to or influenced by The Elephant 6 Recording Company...
- “I’m A Believer” (Monkees cover) appears on Through The Looking Glass: Indie Pop Plays The Music Of The Monkees (2000), Planting Seeds Records
- “Silence The Little Sparkle Girl” appears on The Winter Report (2001), Hype City Records
- “Christmas In Paris” appears on Christmas Underground (2001), Bumble Bear Records/Planting Seeds Records
- “August Landscape Green” appears on Dreaming Up The Perfect Pop (2002), Planting Seeds Records
- “Never Click” (MedicineMedicine (band)Medicine is an alternative noise-pop/rock band from the San Fernando Valley, United States. They were formed in 1991 by guitarist Brad Laner and signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings label the following year...
cover) appears on Never Lose That Feeling (2005), Claire Records (UK/Japan), Club AC30 (US) - “Hurry Up Andy” appears on Winter Holidays with Little Pocket Records (2009), Little Pocket Records
- “Game Without A Name” appears on Fast Forward: An Indie Music Companion To South Africa 2010 (2010), Indiecater Records
- “I Hope That You Remember” (R. Stevie MooreR. Stevie MooreRobert Steven Moore is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. In addition to having numerous albums released on labels around the world, the prolific Moore has self-released over 400 cassette and CD-R albums since 1968, as well as dozens of home videos, mostly through the R. Stevie Moore...
cover) appears on New Wave Moons: R. Stevie Moore Tribute, Vol. 2 (2010), Sick Of The Radio
Short-film music
- “Golden Wash Of The Sunset” appears in the short-film Mortality (2000), Eventide Productions
- "Intelligentsia," "Elevator Radio," and "My Dear" appear in the short-film 4.50 (2003), Get-Kinetic Productions
Echo Orbiter full-length compilations
- The Delta Nine-Sound (2003), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Apathy Cuts Through The Silence (2003), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Aerial Laughter of Dreadful Magnificence (2004), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Bonne Pensee Du Matin (2005), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Oh Damned Night; You Again? (2006), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Everything Was Truth And Humor (2007), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Trashcan Funeral Service (2008), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- The Smoke Endures Around All The Lights (2009), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- The Three Penny Eggplant Symphony (2009), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....
- Snowglobe Catastrophe (2011), LGWLooking Glass WorkshopThe Looking Glass Workshop is an indie/underground music label and art collective. The Looking Glass Workshop has put out underground acts, mainly in the Philadelphia area, including Echo Orbiter....