Echo Orbiter | th

Echo Orbiter is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, based indie rock band founded by brothers Justin Emerle and Colin Emerle, described by Philadelphia Weekly as being "Widely considered two of the most inventive songwriters on the [Philadelphia] scene."

Working with engineer/producer Brian McTear and such bands as The Three-4-Tens, Lenola, and Lilys, this DIY band helped forge a unique scene which captured the creative zeitgeist of the Philadelphia underground with songs like One In A Million, I'm Ultracet, and Mouth of an Incomplete Twin.

Echo Orbiter had also often been associated with Elephant Six groups such as Of Montreal, The Olivia Tremor Control, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Early styles and influences were similar, and the bands interacted extensively, collaborating on shows, compilations, and a rare split 45 with Calvin, Don't Jump!.

Echo Orbiter formed in 1996 in Westville, New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia. The original line up of Justin Emerle (guitars, vocals), Colin Emerle (bass, vocals), and Jeremiah Steffen (drums, vocals) would go on to release the first two full length albums (A Moment in Life That’s Right and Laughing All The While). Both albums were engineered by Brian McTear (Burning Brides and Matt Pond PA, among others). Kurt Heasley of the Lilys co-engineered “Laughing all the while” which received favorable reviews, being deemed "...a wondrous, melody-packed celebration of unfettered creativity.”

EO also received criticism for their experimental tendencies. While headlining the 2000 Philadelphia POPfest they completed their set in a “Who-like” manner, smashing their instruments as well as the venue’s stage equipment. The crowd reaction was favorable, yet the media viewed the act less favorably. Nonetheless, the show and the antics received widespread coverage culminating in an article on SPIN.com. Around late 2000, Eventide Productions, a Philadelphia based film production company, was gearing up to produce a music video of Echo Orbiter, to be shot on 16mm in cooperation with the New Jersey Film Commission. The production company also began to film a video biography of the band that would be used to introduce new fans to their sound and style, but both projects were ultimately abandoned.

In 2001 the Emerle brothers unconsciously cut ties with their long time drummer, and Justin began writing music that was much different than the “Elephant 6” affiliated sound, including a variety of shoegazer, slowcore, and more indie rock than indie pop, with albums like Qu'est-ce Pour Nous, and Left Here Alone; Smiling, and tracks such as Daybreak's Race, and Sail The Cabin's Creek. EO found its way onto many compilations, and the group's founder has continued to record, despite distancing himself from the indie scene. Their 2008 release, “Orphan Kids Withdrawn Out Of This Comedy,” has been described as "a collection of superb three-minute pop bursts…" including the single Who Does That Remind You Of?. The prolific recording manner has allowed EO to accumulate over 30 releases, including albums, singles, E.P.s, compilations, and short-film music, developing a style "...all their own: subtly simple, vaguely ironic and just a little heartbreaking.”

In 2011, guitarist Robert Hart, Jr., joined the band and they are currently set to release a free EP recorded entirely on an iPhone and are continuing to record. .