Pillow Theory

ROLLINGSTONE.com described this NYC modern rock group's sound as "introspective groovalicious pop rock", OCEAN DRIVE magazine hailed Kelsey as "a full-fledged musical virtuoso and an accomplished songwriter" and STEPPIN' OUT magazine "loves the unique sound these guys possess".

From CBGB to Whisky A GoGo to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Pillow Theory delivers a high-powered, dynamic live show while successfully genre hopping under the alt-rock umbrella (metal, punk, pop, free jazz). Selected as one of Tommy Hilfiger's "Best Unsigned Artists" and a semi-finalist in DiscMaker's Independent Music World Series, Pillow Theory was chosen to perform at the CMJ Music Marathon in NYC.

The band's debut disc, 9 1/2, was independently released in 2001. After a slight hiatus, Pillow Theory regrouped and collaborated with sonic genius Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, NIN, PJ Harvey) for their sophomore release OUTPATIENCE.

With Albini, they were able to manipulate their ever-changing moods to blend a sporadic yet cohesive sound. The album displays a delicate balance between heavy and light with change ups that may seem bizarre on paper, but work eloquently in sound. The Outpatience recording took place at Chicago's Electrical Audio in one week, was mixed by Steve in three days and mastered by Wharton Tiers in NYC.

Outpatience was chosen as one of the VILLAGE VOICE's best of 2005 in their yearly Pazz & Jop poll before the CD was even released. Shortly thereafter, the band signed a licensing deal with Ingrooves.

The album was available at itunes.com and a top ten seller on albumunderground.com before Pursuance Records signed the group and officially released the album.

One of the album's tracks, "Drama Fiction Fiend", was pre-released on the Black Rock Coalition's 2005 CD compilation, ROCK N' ROLL REPARATIONS. The album's opening track and first single "Jealous" was featured on the SONY PSP UK website.

Kelsey studied jazz guitar and classical vocal at the University of Miami before moving to NYC to pursue his rock endeavors. He immediately crashed into the downtown improvisational jazz scene working with Glenn Branca and opening up for Pharaoh Sanders.

Kelsey's musical world intertwined with future Pillow Theory anchor Jon Cornell in Brooklyn. At a young age, Jon was a highly sought-after session bassist in Las Vegas cutting his chops with Chaka Khan, Shirley Bassey and many other R&B/pop giants. Jon studied at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada and found his niche while traveling internationally with the university's acclaimed jazz ensemble.

While at UNLV, Jon befriended drum prodigy Chris Benham (who's been bangin' since the age of four). He became a first-call freelance musician while in Vegas, moved to Brooklyn and reconnected with Jon who lured him into the Pillow family.

Ryan Bull also attended UNLV where he studied jazz guitar and crammed for piano performance exams. His path crossed Chris's and Jon's within the music programs of the university and the rock clubs around town. Ryan shortly followed his brothers to Brooklyn, met Kelsey and became the band's utility man doubling as keyboardist and guitarist.

Danos Enrick and Kelsey were in rival bands and fans of each other's musicianship in the downtown NY scene. Danos has a classical guitar background but found his place in the NY punk and hardcore scene.