Getting to Know Pyramids

Over the past few weeks, we've received several inquiries from people both in and out of town concerning Denton's Pyramids, a band that has recently signed to Hydra Head Records (home to Boris, Isis, Torche, and Big Business, among others) and collaborated with the legendary Blus Aus Nord.  The group's dreamy, relatively formless wall of ambient reverb and drone has been compared to the likes of Jesu and My Bloody Valentine, and the two tracks on their Myspace page are both quite striking, existing in that delicate balance between the heavy and the celestial. So yes, they have this great record deal, they've already been covered in Pitchfork, and their songs are actually pretty good, but the funny thing about all this is that no one in the local "scene" seems to know anything about them.  Who are these dudes?  Why don't they play shows?  How did they get a record deal?  Well, we decided that since we are pretty much the coolest people in town, we'd just ask them ourselves. We sent Pyramids an email full of questions, and they were nice enough to answer some of them.  I didn't say they were all very informative answers, but answers all the same.   Here is our exchange:

1. The main question everyone is asking about you guys: who are you? where did you come from? A lot of people suggest that Pyramids couldn't possibly be from Denton because it's such a small town and most people seem relatively unfamiliar with you. So could you tell me your names, and where you are from, and why you might be relatively unknown in the area?

We fell from the sky. Half of the band is currently in l.a., but I run the joint out of North Texas. There is something in the water in Denton...

2. How did you end up on Hydra Head?

We are kindred spirits.

3. A lot of people mention things like "shoegaze," and Justin Broadrick and drone and Earth when talking about your music. Could you tell us about what influences you musically? I hear more gentle things in your sound like Atlas Sound and Animal Collective and stuff like that a bit too.

Aside from Blut Aus Nord and Cocteau Twins, the other artists on our remix disc really make up the founding fathers of our sound. It is such a mind blowing situation to be in, collaborating with every single musician that reflects the reasons why music controls our very beings. Toby Driver, JK Broadrick, the extremely underrated Blut Aus Nord, lovesliescrushing, Campbell Kneale, and of course the true genius behind the sound of this record James Plotkin.

4. Have you played out in the area any time recently? Do you plan to any time soon?

We have never played and are not sure if and when we will, but if the situation is absolutely right, then it just may.

5. How did you hook up with Blut Aus Nord?

They are one of the three best bands of all time and probably the most underrated. We are just really respectful fans and Vindsval enjoyed our music, so we collaborated.

6. What are your plans for the immediate future?

We have a follow up album already in the works that is just as epic, with a slew of collaborators to make it just as fun. This will be a Hydra Head release as well, though we don't know when.