the parcel

Formed by former “Robot God” member J.J. McCabe in the summer of 2003, “the parcel” has drawn comparisons to acts as diverse as The Magnetic Fields, Joy Division, and Johnny Cash. Driving electronic drum beats paired unusually with organic elements like banjo, harmonica, violin and the musical saw create a unique sound that’s not quite electro but still really makes you want to dance. J.J.'s wry, thoughtful lyrics convey a sincerity rarely found in electronica.
While living in Austin Tx., J.J. bought an old Roland Groovebox to do some home recordings with while trying to put together a live project. He teamed up with another musician, Jeremy Ward and created a local dance club hit “Magic Robot”. Growing weary of the tongue-in-cheek hipness of electro-clash, he turned his new found electronic tendencies to some old pop songs written on an acoustic guitar. Thus the Parcel was born.
In October of 2003 Brian, a musician who was also a radio dj for Kzsc in Santa Cruz, happened to catch a show of J.J.’s and the two immediately clicked musically. Brian’s Sonic Youth – esque guitar playing perfectly augmented the fat analog synth sounds that J.J. had been developing. As the two played more shows, opening for acts as diverse as “Captured By Robots!” and side projects of “The Devil Makes Three,” more instruments were incorporated into the live act, such as mandolin, electric violin and acoustic guitar. This aesthetic has influenced the songwriting, leaving the band somewhere between electronic dance music and alt country – while still being one hundred percent rock and roll!