Signal Hill (Band)
Signal Hill are a 4-piece Instrumental Rock, band from Los Angeles, California and consists of members Tim Cooper (drums), Dave Masters (guitar), Brian Vasallo (bass/keys), and Rishi Arora (guitar). Originally constructed as a writing project for Brian and Rishi in the first months of 2003 but as it often is, members came and went making it difficult for the project to ever gain ground. At the same time Elegant Elephant, a solo project of Dave was undergoing similar difficulties. A fortunate meeting between Dave and old friend Tim Cooper at an M83/Six Parts Seven show one night in 2004 was to be turning point, as both groups found grace in each other’s music and Signal Hill had become whole. This is the 5th year Signal Hill are playing, recording and touring together. In an interview with Groupee.com the band mentions their shared love for mid 90's emo bands such as Mineral (band), Christie Front Drive, Jimmy Eat World and others.
The musical landscape of Signal Hill is influenced by bands such Tristeza & The Mercury Program to name a few. They have played shows with such bands as All India Radio, The Drift, You.May.Die.In.The.Desert, This Will Destroy You and Balmorhea,Beware of Safety, Caspian and they have toured up and down the west coast of the united states as well as shows internationally in Melbourne and Sydney Australia in support of their latest release More After We’re Gone.
Signal Hill have three releases to their name, starting with a limited Demo in 2005, a Self-Titled EP in 2007 and the aforementioned full length More After We’re Gone in June of 2009. According to the band's official website, they are going back in the studio in December to record a new EP which they hope to release early 2010. Their music has also been placed on multiple compilations, radio station performances, podcasts and films.
History
Early Days
The band began rehearsing and writing together as a four piece in September of 2004. Shortly after starting out, Signal Hill entered The Compound Studios (which by coincidence happened to be located in Signal Hill, CA) with good friend Jeff Lewis to record their demo. The band left the studio with a 4 song demo that was posted on their myspace page. According to their official website .
The early part of 2005 found Signal Hill playing shows in various clubs around the Los Angeles area. An email from new friends you.may.die.in.the.desert brought an invitation for the band to tour the West Coast with them and Strangers Die Everyday.
Self Titled EP
After a couple of years of writing songs and touring, Signal Hill had prepped all material for their debut release. In October of 2006, the band again headed into The Compound Studios with friend/producer/engineer/ Jeff Lewis and Anthony Arvisu to record six songs. Additional tracking was completed with Jeff Lewis at Stanley Studios in Los Angeles, CA. This became the self-titled ep which was met with positive reviews showing this group had promise. Needing artwork, the band enlisted good friend Rob Price of the art collective Thwart Design to design the eco-wallet packaging and on disc art. The cd release was held on February 10 at Pehrspace with Rajiv Patel opening.
Track List for Self Titled EP From Amazon
1. Standby, Sir |
2. Los Federales |
3. Celadon |
4. A Series of Trills |
5. This New Year's Absence |
6. California is Too Long |
More After We're Gone
Playing and writing songs through 2007 and early 2008, Signal Hill was now ready to get back into the studio. Once again enlisting help with Jeff Lewis and The Compound Studios, Signal Hill began tracking Bass and Drums in May 2008 for their debut full length album. Knowing this effort was going to be a much larger production than their previous releases, they reached out to good friend Patrick Murphy (who just finished tracking and mixing "Dogs" by Beware of Safety. Patrick agreed to take on the project and in late 2008, the band entered Veneklassen Studios in Santa Monica CA to finish tracking the 12 songs they had started previously. Tracking for the album took place on various weekends through the last two months of 2008, and early 2009.
Track List for More After We're Gone from Amazon
1. The Dead Vineyard |
2. Intelligentsiya |
3. Luna Park |
4. Men Before Them |
5. Floruit |
6. Stunning Clarity |
7. Men Before Us |
8. Eternal Return |
9. Llangollen |
10. Afternoon Lull |
11. A Secret Society |
12. Our Sisters |
Discography
Albums
- More After We're Gone (June 11, 2009)
Bass and Drums recorded by Jeff Lewis at The Compound Studios in May of 2008 Guitars, Pianos, Keyboards recorded by Patrick Murphy at Veneklassen Studios in Santa Monica, CA late 2008 and early 2009 Mixed by Patrick Murphy Mastered by Joe Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering Hollywood, CA
EPs
- Demo (February, 2005)
Recorded live by Jeff Lewis and Anthony Arvizu at The Compound Studios
- Self Titled EP (January, 2007)
Recorded by Jeff Lewis and Anthony Arvizu at The Compound Studios in October of 2006. Mixed by Rishi Arora at Righteous Rishkits House of Mixot December of 2006
Compilations
- The Silent Ballet: Volume 4 (May 18, 2007) - Featuring the track "This New Year's Absence"