The Ultrasounds

I’m rejuvenated. Not by the sprouting sprigs or spring break, but by two separate epiphanies of these two separate Ann Arbor bands in two separate genres. (Both have shows this month!).

The Ultrasounds (Christopher Smith-bass/vocals, Patrick Conway-guitars, Sara Grif?n-drums) started with Smith and Conway fresh out of high school in ‘03, then the line-up solidi?ed in ‘06. Since then, they self-re- corded/self-released The Way Things Were, and recently ?nished the Give Up The Fight, an EP with Brandon Wiard (Pretty Suite) and then later with Tim Patalan (of Sponge, at The Loft). “2009 was a very emotion- ally intense year for all of us,” Grif?n said, noting that the EP push came from different California-based labels who wanted more, “and the new tunes de?nitely re?ect that.”

Current readers awarded/praised them as “most underrated” band in ‘08 – and they’ve since grown consider- ably from earlier perceptions of a Kinks-ian ‘60s psyche pop-negotiating-a-Strokes-ian-art-punk revival. “This record is a bit darker,” noted Conway, “the songs are denser and more intricate than before. Chris’ piano has a more prominent role, Sara has stepped forward to sing on almost half the tracks and her harmonies are present throughout.” Grif?n said their friendships’ duration and closeness shines through in writing/recording/performing, they’ve gotten more meticulous at sound-sculpting and used live performance as a means for a song’s evolution. Conway said he’s gained adaptability through playing in numerous nuanced line ups – and that together they’ve learned to be wary of how to measure their respective intensities for optimum sonic results. Sensibilities are shining through on the new writing: be it an electronic vibe from Grif?n, or a jazz in?uence from Smith or more echoing/fuzzed-out guitars from Conway. “Recently,” Smith said, “these things have been melding to form a uni?ed sound.” Expect much more than just “driving melodies and rhythm parts,” Grif?n said, there’s “more texture” but also a con?dence to utilize space and mini- malism. For more info on forthcoming recordings, visit www.myspace.com/ultrasounds or see them live at the Blind Pig on Thursday, March 25 with Scarlet Oaks, The Wall Clocks, the Ben Daniels Band and ask them all about it. - Current