Echo Orbiter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Echo Orbiter | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Genre(s) | Indie Rock Alternative Rock Shoegaze |
| Years active | 1996–Present (as Echo Orbiter)
1995–1996 (as Delta 9 Sound) |
| Label(s) | Looking Glass Workshop |
| Associated acts | of Montreal, Medicine, Lilys |
| Website | Myspace.com |
| Members | |
| Justin Emerle Colin Emerle |
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| Former members | |
| B.C. Camplight (live keyboards) Bryan Michael (Alka) (keyboards, 2nd album) Kyle Costill (Trouble Everyday) (live keyboards) |
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Echo Orbiter is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based band created by brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle. After finding local success, brothers Justin and Colin spent time in London to promote their project, and have since released several albums with indie acclaim. Subsequently, the EO brothers have created the indie record label know as The Looking Glass Workshop.
The Philadelphia underground music scene, in which the Echo Orbiter finds its roots, was one of self-promotion and truly defines the term "Indie." Working with engineer/producer Brian McTear and such bands as The Three-4-Tens, Lenola, and The Lilys Kurt Heasley, the EO helped forge a unique scene which captures the creative zeitgeist of the late 90's Philadelphia underground.
Outside of Philadelphia, Echo Orbiter is often associated with Elephant Six groups such as Of Montreal, The Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, Beulah, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Though the EO originated in Philadelphia, unlike the mostly Athens Georgia based groups of the Elephant Six, the style and influences of the early Echo Orbiter were similar to the Elephant Six, and the bands had interacted extensively, collaborating on shows, compilations, and a rare split 45 with Calvin, Don't Jump.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
Echo Orbiter formed in Late 1995 in a small, hidden town in Southern New Jersey; not too far from Philadelphia. The original line up of Justin Emerle (guitars, vocals, songwriter), Colin Emerle (bass, arrangements),and Jeremiah Steffen (drums, vocals)[2] would go on to release 2 (Out of their total of about 10) full length albums (“A Moment In Life That’s Right”[3] in 1999 & “Laughing All The While” in 2000). Both records were engineered by Brian McTear (Burning Brides, Matt Pond PA, Lefty’s Deceiver, among many others)[4][5] and would turn out to be successes for the band. Kurt Heasley (of Lilys fame) would come in to co-engineer “Laughing all the while”.[6]
As they began to find indie success, the band also received criticism for their sometimes highly experimental tendencies. For example, while headlining the 2000 Philadelphia POPfest they completed their set in a Who-like manner, smashing their instruments as well as stage equipment.[7][8] The crowd reaction was favorable, though the media viewed the act less favorably.[9] Nonetheless, the show and the antics received widespread coverage culminating in an article in Spin magazine.
Around late 2000/2001 Eventide Productions,[10] a Philadelphia based film production company, was gearing up to produce and direct a music video of the Echo Orbiter, to be shot on 16 mm in New Jersey in cooperation with the New Jersey Film Commission, as the band began to expand into greater markets.[11] Along with the video, the production company began to film a 90 minute biography of the band that would be used to both introduce new fans to their unique sound and lifestyle, as well as fill a growing need for EO media in a blossoming Philadelphia music scene (The EO was then a top selling Philadelphia local artist).[12]
In 2001 after the first night of an 18 city U.S. tour with the Starlight Mints, the Twin Towers were attacked, thus ending the tour, and the brothers Emerle had then unconsciously cut ties with their long time drummer.
As the months wore on, and drummer after drummer was brought in to rehearse, Justin began concocting music that was undoubtledly much different than the “Elephant 6” affiliated sound from the past. The direction in which Justin was heading was a variety of Shoegazer, Slowcore, and more indie rock than indie pop. Colin wasn’t altogether on board with the direction that Justin had flirted with for years before Echo Orbiter was even conceived, so he did what was natural; attend an Ivy League university.[13]
Album idea after EP idea had been conceived and scratched before settling to record 4 more full length albums, 2 EPs, and 2 singles in Justin’s own “Looking Glass Workshop” between early 2002 and late 2003. Justin grew increasingly secluded and withdrawn after the collapse of the band in 2001. In an interview with Club AC30, Justin noted that it was both a relief to step away from the extreme pressures of writing, promoting the band, booking the tours, networking at shows in Philadelphia almost every single night, as well as a bit frightening to lose what Justin had become over the years -- a full time musician.[14]
In recent years the music of the EO has found its way onto several compilations, and the group's founder has continued to record, despite having distanced himself from the former indie scene of which Echo Orbiter was once part. The prolific recording manner has allowed the EO to accumulate over 30 total releases, including many albums, singles, E.P.s, Compilations, and film music.[15]
The interest in Echo Orbiter has not faded over the years, even without playing live shows. The sporadic interview over the years is all but the only “word” that had been heard of the EO, but the underground fanbase has remained strong.
Included among those that have played with Echo Orbiter are B.C. Camplight (live keyboards),[16] Bryan Michael of Alka (keyboards on second album),[17] and Kyle Costell of the Trouble Everyday and Manic Mirrors (live keyboards).[18] Justin has also performed in the Three-4-Tens.[19] Colin has also performed in the Perils of Pauline.
[edit] Musical Style and Influences
Echo Orbiter's sound is most often compared with such late 60's acts as Syd Barrett, and late 90's groups such as those of the Elephant Six.[20][21] However, the band originated as a small Pop-Punk trio, grew into a five piece orchestrally driven Psych-Pop experiment, returned in 2002 to a more Garage sound via Pavement, and eventually introduced Shoegazer/Slowcore sounds with a Guided by Voices-esque Indie Pop. Additionally, EO film compositions[22] ranged from Orchestral, to Jazz and have even sometimes bordered modern Techno. In fact, to pin Echo Orbiter down to simply one style of music, Psych-Pop for example, is to only consider one album or stage of their career. Their sound has proven to be more of an evolution with progressive mobility rather than simply a "style".
[edit] Original Albums, EPs, Singles, and Compilations
| Album information |
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The Echo Orbiter Presents... A Moment In Life That's Right
Tracks: 1.Long Strange Day (An Evening's Lament) 2.Friday's Exuberant Smile 3.Old Man Jimmy's Psychic Emanations 4.Oh My, What A Morning! 5.Sunlightshine 6.Around Merrily Carousel 7.Ain't It Nice 8.Trippy Adventure Playground 9.Moonlight Daydream 10.Sunflowers & Plumtrees 11.Have You Got It Yet 12.One Thinks Of It All In A Honey Drop Dream |
Legion Of Boom, Vol. 1
Tracks: Spring Is Here |
Happy Happy Birthday To Me, Vol. 2
Tracks: Mrs. Walker's Ice Cream |
Through The Looking Glass: Indie Pop Plays the Monkees
Tracks: I'm A Believer (Monkees cover) |
The Echo Orbiter Presents... Laughing All The While
Tracks: 1.Aqua's Own Pocketwatch Odyssey 2.Southern Belle 3.Silence the Little Sparkle Girl 4.Song of the Missing Forest 5.Curious Time Machine 6.Cooling Down By The Sea 7.Golden Wash Of The Sunset 8.Melody to Accompany A Stroll Through A Park 9.Hey Mr. Moonman 10.Blue Stew, Oh The Witches' Brew 11.How Nice To See You 12.She Seldomly Joked |
Mortality
Tracks: Golden Wash Of The Sunset |
The Winter Report
Tracks: Silence The Little Sparkle Girl |
On A Deranged Holiday
Tracks: 1. Confession Of The Impressionism Major 2. The Great Day Has Arrived 3. Some Other Day's Swaying Response 4. The Self-Indulgent Trial 5. In Order To Quiet A Rollercoaster 6. Impassive Light In The Astral Silence |
Christmas Underground
Tracks: Christmas In Paris |
The Great Day Has Arrived
Tracks: 1. The Great Day Has Arrived 2. While The Eyes Still Move In The Head a. Otherwise Insistent Junk b. Good As Any Mistake c. Pure Source Of Truth 3. The Repose Is Never Complete |
Split 45 with Calvin Don't Jump
Tracks: Lost In The Light |
Left Here Alone; Smiling
Tracks: 1. a: Staging The Grand Escape b: (The Space Inbetween The Trees) 2. a: Awaken To Clear Skies b: (Good Morning Astral Voyager) 3. a: Sail The Cabin's Creek 4. a: A Night In A Galaxy Of Nights b: (Christ; I Really Wish That You Could've Been There) c: (Good Afternoon Astral Voyager) 5. a: Dawn's Short Requiem (For A New Day) b: (Approaching Evening) 6. a: I Hope It's Wonderful 7. a: Seen At The Hour Of Midnight b: (Hang In There Astral Voyager) 8. a: Dusk's Short Requiem 9. a: Luna's Last Dance b: (The Breeze Has Carried Me To You) 10. a: An Echo From May b: (Whispering Voices Haunted) 11. a: Sweet Dreams Astral Voyager 12. a: Space Cadet Promenade b: (A Reach For Embrace) |
Dreaming Up The Perfect Pop
Tracks: August Landscape Green |
Sail The Cabin's Creek
Tracks: 1. Sail The Cabin's Creek 2. Seashore Calliope |
Qu'est-ce Pour Nous
Tracks: 1. Cut The Wheel 2. Daybreak's Race 3. Dreaming Keepsake 4. Help Is On The Way 5. Geography Inbetween 6. Life Is Great 7. Wise At A Cafe In Philadelphia 8. One In A Million 9. Today Is The Day That I Got Old 10. Anchors Away 11. Awake; Waiting To Sleep (slumber & pills) 12. Out of order |
Small Town America
Tracks: 1. Help Is On The Way 2. Autumn Leaves 3. Country Windmills 4. Blue Whale |
Four.50
Tracks: 1. Intelligentsia 2. Elevator Scene 3. My Dear |
The Khyber Passed
Tracks: 1. Subtract The Setback 2. I'm Ultracet 3. Gaslamp Admiration 4. Fly Like The Birds 5. Hitting The Sixth New Years Wind 6. Sarah's Radio Broadcast 7. One More Step Before It's Too Far |
I'm Ultracet
Tracks: 1. I'm Ultracet 2. Teen Love 3. Range Signal 4. A Fate Too Slim |
Soundscapes, Vol. 1
Tracks: 1. Spend Some Time Killing Time 2. There's A Light Off In The Distance Burning Full Moon Blue 3. She Threw Her Arms Up In Disgust And Accidentally Caught Thunder 4. The Interpretation Lost In Static Shock 5. Fire Rained Down As We Clapped Hands 6. Dialed In Signals Broke Trembling Uncertainty 7. Sensation Of The Vast Movement Of Voices 8. Seconds Passed As If Soldiers At War. 9. Armageddon Out Of Here........ |
The Delta Nine Sound (Unreleased Tracks From The Very Beginning)
Tracks: 1. Glorious Day And The Magical Train 2. Those Weird People 3. Vegetables Run The Garden 4. Mermaid Submarine 5. Huge Horror Eyes 6. Outer Space Plan |
Apathy Cuts Through The Silence (Unreleased Tracks, Vol. 2)
Tracks: 1. The Firm Resolve Of A Determined Soul 2. Molded Chocolate Candy Hearts 3. A Day In The Life Of A Young Man Who Brought It All Upon Himself 4. What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? 5. Pleasant Passover 6. Bringing On The Implications 7. Hearing Is The Key To Understanding 8. Home And Away 9. Greenland, 1906 10. Just Put On A Smile |
Never Lose That Feeling, Vol. 1
Tracks: Never Click (Medicine cover) |
A Cold November Day
Tracks: 1. November Grey 2. Whisper 3. If I Could See 4. Memorial Day 5. Evergreen 6. Bakersfield Park 7. Avalon 8. Help Is On The Way (Autumn Rendition) 9. Massachusetts 10. Life Goes On |
Whisper
Tracks: 1. Whisper 2. The Night Evangelia Died 3. Music For Open Fields |
Life Cycle
Tracks: 1. ::::Infancy:::: 2. ::::Childhood:::: 3. ::::Adulthood:::: 4. ::::Old Age:::: |
The Time of Ghosts And Clouds
Tracks: 1. Skeleton Trick 2. Sirens 3. Jeep 4. Cocktail Party Effect 5. Anniversary 6. Elm Station |
The Lost Generation And The Golden Age Of Mysteries
Tracks: 1. Intro 2. Colson Flyer Bicycle 3. Carry A Torch For Dumb Dora 4. Victrola Gramophone Evening 5. Struggle-Buggy Heebie-Jeebies 6. A Night At The Speakeasy 7. Flat Tire Flapper |
A Chance Succession Of Otherwise Impossible Events Vol. 1-6 Boxset
Tracks: 59 unused songs from '95 to '06 |
Orphan Kids Withdrawn Out Of This Comedy
Tracks: 1. Back On The Map 2. Laws Of Nonsense 3. The Idea Of Laissez-Faire 4. Non Smoking Bingo Progressive 5. Winner's Circle 6. Hungry For Fame |
Back On The Map
Tracks: 1. Back On The Map 2. Time Slides Faster Away 3. Who Does That Remind You Of? |
[edit] Unreleased Media
| UnReleased | Title | Label | |
| 2000 | Live at the 2000 Philadelphia POPfest | ||
| 2008 | The Moody Madness That Only Children Aspire |
[edit] Film Soundtracks
| Released | Title | Production Company | Other information |
| 2000 | Mortality | Eventide Productions[23] | Short Film |
| 2002 | Counterfeiters | Eventide Productions[24] | Short Film |
| 2003 | 4.50 | Get-Kinetic Productions[25] | Short Film |
[edit] General References
- Brett Burton - Philadelphia City Paper (2000). "Through the Looking Glass: A Peak Inside the Strange World of the Echo Orbiter."
- Stephen Cramer - Allmusic.com. "Search: Echo Orbiter."
- Answers.com. "Echo Orbiter Information
- IMDb. "IMDb Movie Database - Soundtrack Info.
- Club AC30 "Echo Orbiter Bio"
- Myspace Page "Echo Orbiter"
- Joey Sweeney - Philadelphia Weekly "Of Montreal & Echo Orbiter Review"
[edit] External links
- Myspace Page Echo Orbiter
- Guitar Geek Justin Emerle's Guitar Setup
- Planting Seeds Records Official site
- Perhaps Transparent Records Official site
- Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records Official site
- BumbleBEAR Records Official site
- Miner St./Cycle Sound Recordings Official site
- Club AC30 Official site
- Clair Records Official site
- Yum Yum Publicity Official site
