Echo Orbiter
Background information
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre(s)	Indie Rock Alternative Rock
Years active	1996–Present (as Echo Orbiter) 1995–1996 (as Delta 9 Sound) Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x592, 55 KB) Wes Weiser photo, copyright echo orbiter This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... Alternative rock (also called alternative music or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of rock music that emerged in the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s. ...
Label(s)	Looking Glass Workshop
Associated acts	Elephant Six, Lilys
Website	Myspace.com
Members
Justin Emerle Colin Emerle
Former members
B.C. Camplight Bryan Michael (Alka)

Echo Orbiter is a Philadelphia 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 record label know as The Looking Glass Workshop, which has also found moderate success. This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Elephant Six Recording Company is a musical collective founded in Denver, Colorado (but figuratively in Athens, Georgia) by childhood friends Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart, Jeff Mangum, and Robert Schneider. ... Lilys are an Indie Rock band formed in Philadelphia at the beginning of the nineties. ... Justin Emerle is the lead singer, guitarist, and a founding member of the Echo Orbiter. ... Bass Player for the Echo Orbiter. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... Justin Emerle is the lead singer, guitarist, and a founding member of the Echo Orbiter. ... Bass Player for the Echo Orbiter. ... The Looking Glass Workshop is an Indie/Underground music label and art collective created by Justin Emerle. ...

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 such bands as The Three-4-Tens, The Perils of Pauline, and The Lilys Kurt Heasley, the EO forged a unique scene which captures the creative zeitgeist of the late 90's Philadelphia underground. In popular music, indie music (from independent) is any of a number of genres, scenes, subcultures and stylistic and cultural attributes, characterised by perceived independence from commercial pop music and mainstream culture and an autonomous, do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. ... Lilys are an Indie Rock band formed in Philadelphia at the beginning of the nineties. ...

Outside of Philadelphia, Echo Orbiter is often associated with Elephant Six groups such as Of Montreal, The Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, Beulah, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Calvin, Don't Jump. Though the EO originated in Philadelphia, unlike the Athens Georgia groups of the Elephant Six, the style and influences of the early Echo Orbiter are similar to the Elephant Six, and the bands have interacted extensively, collaborating on shows, compilations, and a rare split 45 with Calvin, Don't Jump.[1] The Elephant Six Recording Company is a musical collective founded in Denver, Colorado (but figuratively in Athens, Georgia) by childhood friends Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart, Jeff Mangum, and Robert Schneider. ... Of Montreal is an American indie pop band formed in Athens, Georgia, fronted by Kevin Barnes. ... The Olivia Tremor Control was an Athens, Georgia indie rock band in the mid- to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects. ... Elf Power is a psychedelic indie rock band. ... Beulah was an indie rock band from San Francisco, CA, often associated with the Elephant Six Collective. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Promotional artwork for Black Swan Networks album The Late Music by Will Cullen Hart. ...

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, vocal, 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 (both records have since completely sold out). Kurt Heasley (of Lilys fame) would come in to co-engineer “Laughing all the while”.[6] This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Justin Emerle is the lead singer, guitarist, and a founding member of the Echo Orbiter. ... Bass Player for the Echo Orbiter. ... Burning Brides is an American hard rock/heavy metal band. ... Matt Pond PA is an indie band formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1998 by singer/songwriter Matt Pond, along with guitarist/bassist Josh Kramer, violinist Rosie McNamara-Jones, cellist Jim Hostetter, and drummer Sean Byrne (previously of Lenola and The Twin Atlas). ... Lilys are an Indie Rock band formed in Philadelphia at the beginning of the nineties. ...

As they began to find indie success, the band also received criticism for their sometimes highly experimental tendencies - far too much for the Philadelphia adult contemporary alternative bands to handle. 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. Spin is a music magazine that reports on all the music that rocks. Founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione, Jr. ...

Echo Orbiter live in concert

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] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x608, 34 KB) {albumcover} I am a band member This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x608, 34 KB) {albumcover} I am a band member This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced...

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 which was sure to put EO on the map for good, and the brothers Emerle had then unconsciously cut ties with their long time drummer. Starlight Mints are an indie pop band from Norman, Oklahoma. ...

Echo Orbiter at the Khyber Pass

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] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x608, 48 KB) Jess Kelly, taken at live show with permission from the Echo Orbiter This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x608, 48 KB) Jess Kelly, taken at live show with permission from the Echo Orbiter This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album... The Elephant Six Recording Company was a musical collective founded in Athens, Georgia, USA, by Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart (both, now formerly, of Olivia Tremor Control), Jeff Mangum (of Neutral Milk Hotel), and Robert Schneider (of the Apples in Stereo), the four of whom grew up making music in... Shoegazing is a style of music that emerged in Britain in the late 1980s. ... Sadcore/Slowcore is a subgenre of alternative rock that developed from the downbeat melodies and slower tempos of late 1980s indie rock. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn[3][4]) is a private, coeducational research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

Album idea after album idea after EP idea had been conceived and scratched before settling to record 4 more full length albums, 2 EPs, and 2 singles with 3 b-sides a piece in Justin’s own “Looking Glass Workshop” between early 2002 and late 2003. None of which were ever "officially" released. Justin grew increasingly secluded and withdrawn after the collapse of the band in 2001. 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]

Echo Orbiter brothers

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] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x608, 33 KB) Michael Dooling photo, copyright echo orbiter This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (896x608, 33 KB) Michael Dooling photo, copyright echo orbiter This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced...

The interest in Echo Orbiter has not faded over the years, even without playing live shows or "officially" releasing any records. 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,[16] Bryan Michael of Alka,[17] and Kyle Costell of the Trouble Everyday.[18] Justin has also performed in the Three-4-Tens.[19] Colin has also performed in the Perils of Pauline.

All Music Guide Biography

Echo Orbiter live in NYC

Echo Orbiter formed in Philadelphia in 1996 when brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle recruited Jeremiah Steffen to flesh out some of their songs. The band proceeded to perform in the area while perfecting their unique sound. In 1999, Echo Orbiter released an album of their strongest demo songs, entitled A Moment in Life That's Right. 2000 saw the release of Laughing All the While on Looking Glass Workshop. The album was recorded by producer Brian McTear at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia. It was released by the Looking Glass Workshop, a record company owned and operated by Justin Emerle, as well as the name of a community of Philadelphia artists. Their third release, Quest'-ce Pour Nous, was released in early 2002. The band gained recognition with their appearances on various compilations on labels such as Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records,[20][21] Planting Seeds Records,[22][23] Bumblebear Records,[24] Tremolo Feedback Records, Perhaps Transparent Records,[25] Claire Records,[26] Club AC30,[27] Hype City Records, and Looking Glass Workshop, among others. The band continues to ceremoniously celebrate their enthusiasm for music and they remain active in the Philadelphia music community. Their upbeat style of modern playful and chaotic pop continues to turn heads. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (880x608, 45 KB) {albumcover}} This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced the recording or cover artwork... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (880x608, 45 KB) {albumcover}} This image is of a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced the recording or cover artwork... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... Justin Emerle is the lead singer, guitarist, and a founding member of the Echo Orbiter. ... Bass Player for the Echo Orbiter. ... The Looking Glass Workshop is an Indie/Underground music label and art collective created by Justin Emerle. ... Label logo Happy 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 bands in the Elephant 6 Collective. ... Perhaps Trasparent is a Brooklyn, New York based record label founded by Gabriel Walsh and Stephen Connolly. ...

~ Stephen Cramer, All Music Guide[28] The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music, owned by All Media Guide. ...

Musical Style and Influences

Syd Barrett

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.[29][30] 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[31] 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". Image File history File links Download high resolution version (700x692, 68 KB) Summary source:otterpop. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (700x692, 68 KB) Summary source:otterpop. ... Roger Keith Syd Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist, and artist. ... The Elephant Six Recording Company is a musical collective founded in Denver, Colorado (but figuratively in Athens, Georgia) by childhood friends Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart, Jeff Mangum, and Robert Schneider. ... Pavement was an influential American indie rock band in the 1990s. ... Shoegazing is a style of music that emerged in Britain in the late 1980s. ... Sadcore/Slowcore is a subgenre of alternative rock that developed from the downbeat melodies and slower tempos of late 1980s indie rock. ... Guided by Voices (often abbreviated as GBV) was an extremely prolific lo-fi/indie-rock band from Dayton, Ohio. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... Orchestra at City Hall (Edmonton). ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... For the comic book character previously known as Techno, see Fixer (comics). ...

Original Albums, EPs, Singles, and Compilations

Unreleased Media

Film Soundtracks

Trivia

• EO brothers are related to Michael Sembello who wrote for Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Celine Dion, and the Grammy Award winning number 1 hit song "Maniac"
• EO once turned down a recording contract with legendary producer Shelly Yakus, former vice president of A&M Records who has worked with John Lennon, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, The Band, The Ramones, Frank Sinatra, Madonna (entertainer), U2 and many others - just to remain Indie![35]
• EO comes from the same town, and has worked with Pro-Wrestler Lobo
• EO brothers are related to famous Philadelphia Restaurateur Stephen Starr through marriage.[36]

Michael Sembello (born April 17, 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American musician. ... Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris),[1] is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. ... Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958), commonly known as MJ as well as the King of Pop, is an American musician, entertainer, and pop icon whose successful career and controversial personal life have been a part of pop culture for the last three decades. ... “Temptations” redirects here. ... Barbra Joan Streisand (born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, theatre and film actress, composer, liberal political activist, film producer and director. ... For the author-illustrator, see Diana Ross (author). ... Donna Summer (born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, on December 31, 1948) is a legendary American singer, songwriter, and artist, best known for a string of dance hits in the 1970s that earned her the title Queen of Disco and as one of the few disco-based artists to have longevity on... Céline Marie Claudette Dion, OC, OQ, (born March 30, 1968) is a Canadian pop singer and occasional songwriter. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Flashdance is a musical and romance film released in April 1983. ... Shelly Yakus is considered as one of the best engineers and mixers in the music industry. ... A&M Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Universal Music Group. ... John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980), (born John Winston Lennon, known as John Ono Lennon) was an iconic English 20th century rock and roll songwriter and singer, best known as the founding member of The Beatles. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... Thomas Earl Tom Petty (born October 20, 1950) is a singer and guitarist. ... For other uses, see Band. ... The Ramones (L-R, Johnny, Tommy, Joey, Dee Dee) on the cover of their debut self-titled album (1976), cementing their place at the dawn of the punk movement. ... “Sinatra” redirects here. ... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as simply Madonna, is a six-time Grammy[1] and one-time Golden Globe award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... This article is about the Irish rock band. ... Joe Eubanks (b. ...

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"

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Echo Orbiter

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Echo Orbiter

• 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
• Echo Orbiter Fan site (unofficial)