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Formed in Edmonton, Alberta in the fall of 2000, Faunts original lineup consisted of brothers Tim and Steven Batke and Paul Amusch. After turning an old office space into a studio, the three spent a full year creating “High Expectations/Low Results”, which would later be re-released on New York’s rising label Friendly Fire Recordings. This remarkably assured debut album weaves together shimmering walls of pink noise with dreamy, languorous guitar, gently-treated vocals, and swimmingly beautiful melodies. In the following years, with the addition of Steve and Tim’s younger brother, Rob Batke, as well as bassist Scott Gallant, Faunts have evolved into a five-piece ensemble.
Originally written for a live performance hosted by the Film And Video Arts Society, Faunts’ second release, “M4” is composed of scores initially created to accompany three independent short films. Harnessing the use of electronics and synthesizers, “M4” is determinately more ambient and atmospheric than Faunts’ previous work, but still demonstrates their love for layered melodies and soaring refrains. The EP, which was released by Friendly Fire on December 11, 2007, has also had its title track featured—to critical acclaim—in Bioware’s Xbox 360 video game, “Mass Effect.”
Building on the success of their first two efforts, the fall of 2008 saw the release of “Faunts Remixed” featuring reworked tracks from both “High Expectations/Low Results” and “M4” with contributions from Cadence Weapon, Mark Templeton, Brightest Feathers (aka Saxon Shore), T.H. White, Paronomasiac (from Shout Out Out Out Out) and many others.
Now Faunts’ latest articulation, the full-length “Feel. Love. Thinking. Of.” (out February 17th, 2009 on Friendly Fire Recordings) stands as the culmination of two years of touring, recording, and crafting of another uniquely original sonic soundscape. At once orchestral and sprawling; ambient, yet driving, “Feel. Love. Thinking. Of.” encompasses perfectly Faunts’ ambitious devotion to sculpting not only a musical moment, but an entire atmosphere which accompanies that moment.
