Artist description Trying to pigeonhole the music of Austin's My Education is akin to trying to stuff a pigeon in a hole: the sound is calamitous, there's movement all around, the frenized beating of wings against wall, and somewhere something is pumping out blood. There's great beauty as well, counterpointing the seeming chaos, and flowing like a mercury tear into the emptiness inside. Vocals were never necessary to begin with, and even Phil Spector couldn't envision a wall of sound this gorgeous.

Music Style post rock

Musical Influences beatles, zep, zappa, stones, velvet underground, iggy, my bloody valentine, suede

Similar Artists radiohead, GSYBE!, mogwai

Artist History Formed in 1999 featuring former and current members of Stars of the Lid, ultrasound, and Cinders, the seven-piece My Education is an instrumental hybrid: part space-rock cacophony, part punk rock sonic wipeout, and part ambient bad trip. Founding members Brian Purington, Eric Gibbons, and Sean Seagler left "dirty, nasty" San Angelo, TX, behind in 1999, relocating in Austin, TX, and promptly found themselves frightening clubgoers with their unique yet unsettling sound, and eventually recorded a two-track 7" at former 16 Deluxe snakepit/recording studio The Bubble with vocalist Joe Covington. Covington was later sacked to make room for larger mike stands, and with the addition of keyboardist Kirk Laktas and second, taller guitarist Chris Hackstie, assumed their current line-up, usual suspects all (including the amazingly talented James Alexander- ed.).

Group Members eric gibbons: bass brian purington: guitar sean seagler: drums chris hackstie: guitar kirk laktas: piano james alexander: viola travis weller: violin

Albums 5 Popoes

Press Reviews from delusions of adequacy Recently, there have been a few bands in the indie scene that have taken their level of composition up several notches. The Appleseed Cast and Ativin both come to mind as bands on the forefront of putting mood and tone as a priority over a particular structure. With this strategy, these bands have not only improved their sound, but have also helped take the indie scene in a new and exciting direction. Although the recently released material by these groups is exciting and cutting edge, there is another group that could give these mood masters a run for their money. My Education is a 7-piece band out of Austin, TX that has just released a self-titled EP that should open some eyes in the indie scene and make some labels take a look. Their sound is firmly rooted in the indie-rock style, yet the subtext of their EP adds somewhat of a grand feel to the mix. The band seems to have gotten their sound down to a science. The EP features a beautiful mood, cascading guitar lines, and intriguing atmospherics to boot. There are no vocals on the record, but that does not lessen the effect of the sound on the listener. In fact, the band does such a great job of immersing the EP in its wondrous sound that vocals could possibly even act as a distraction. "Concentration Waltz," the first track on the EP, opens quietly. It's reminiscent of some of the 80's albums of The Cure in terms of mood. The guitars sound alive and fresh as their light tones invoke feelings that most records can't touch. "Lesson 3" follows down the same trail that "Concentration Waltz" started the record on. It's an equally beautiful track chock full of delicate instrumentation and feeling. Things do get a bit more intense though as the volume cranks up about midway through the song right when every instrument seems to be hitting it's stride. Very nice! "Nightrider Meets the Waterfall" is a head-nodding, rocking number that changes the pace a bit, but it isn't quite as appealing as the previous tracks. Although the song is tightly played, it doesn't seem to suit them as well as the more atmospheric material. Following that track, "Deep Cut" and "Crime Story" are more akin to the first tracks on the EP and come off like a warm blanket of sound to the listener. They feature an equal amount of delicate instrumentation. The synth sounds are more at the forefront on these numbers and add to the already engaging mood of the EP. Although this record is self released, and therefore possibly hard to find, fans of atmospheric indie rock should take the time to track this release down. Their "Education" is one worth knowing about.

Location Austin, TX - USA

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