sean craypo/ ContraNova

"Like Phil Elvrum, Craypo crafts amazingly poignant and revelatory moments within odd, elliptical narratives, and Infinity is worth the wait." -The Austin Chronicle-

".......ContraNova has created a masterpiece beyond comparison, and a truly affecting piece of art. Captured in it's 53 minutes are exceptional musicianship, unparalleled lyricism, and beautiful, captivating storytelling. It is rare that an album contains such magic, but "Infinity In All Directions" is absolutely brilliant from almost every aspect imaginable. It is one of those few works that everyone should hear, and one that needs to be listened to in it's entirety to be fully appreciated. I will not be forgetting "Infinity In All Directions" any time soon, and that is something that I am thrilled to say."

Recommended for fans of Elliott Smith, Sun Kil Moon, and Sufjan Stevens.

Key Tracks:
1. "Slanted Light (My Mother Wakes Me)"
2. "Same Side of the Day"
3. "Avalanche of Days"
4. "In Disguise"
5. "Andeline"

9 out of 10 Stars -Audio Overflow-

ContraNova, a chamber pop ensemble from Austin TX, was started in 1997 by singer-songwriter Sean Craypo. A mix of The Beatles, Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Fruit Bats and Belle and Sebastian, the songs are backed by an unusual array of instruments. Bass clarinet, bassoon, vibes, harp, trombone, contrabassoon and tambourine were all utilized in the recording of �infinity in all directions.� The 12 songs on �infinity in all directions� are linked thematically by depictions of love, loss and time travel. Tracks of interest include 2 (slanted light (my mother wakes me)), 7 (in disguise) and 12 (infinity in all directions).

Sean Craypo joined a central Texas Fire Department as a Firefighter in 2005 after a year of intense training and probationary exams. In order to prepare himself for the strenuous requirements of application, he studied music at the University of Texas at Austin and received a Music Studies degree in 2000. He then taught private lessons in bassoon in the Austin area and went on scholarship to study bassoon at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland. His classical compositions have been performed in many venues in Austin as well as in Houston and on the popular radio show Eklektikos on KUT. The PBS documentary �The Future of Tomorrow� currently features some of his classical and pop compositions. Sean�s trio for bassoon, cello and horn titled �Boat Song� won second place in the Trio Neoteric call for scores.

Rian Craypo, the only other constant member of the band, has been playing the bassoon since she was 12 years old. After obtaining degrees from UT Austin and Rice University in Houston she won the principal bassoon position with the Houston Symphony in May of 2007. She has advanced to the finals in several competitions, including the Gillet-Fox International Bassoon Competition, and attended summer orchestral institutes in RoundTop, Texas and at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachussetts.