Ancient Sky are a hard, neo-psychedelic space rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. Their music is a hybrid of sounds that reveals the influences of early
Pink Floyd and
Hawkwind,
Black Sabbath, droning electric Delta blues, Krautrock, and dark 21st century ambient electronic soundscapes à la
Demdike Stare.
The band was founded in 2007 by Virginia natives guitarist/vocalist Brian Markham and drummer Pat Broderick, the only two permanent original members and principal songwriters. Upon meeting in New York, the pair began to discuss mutual acquaintances and music. Having much in common, they decided to play together almost immediately. With a constantly shifting landscape of players, they rehearsed and played local shows. Their self-titled debut album appeared from Sons of Vesta in 2009.
More personnel shifts occurred alongside a wealth of live playing experience. Over the next three years, the band developed a dark, moody sound, which was documented on 2012's T.R.I.P.S.
Ancient Sky began playing out and rehearsing even more as they embraced new musical ideas, and all the while their recording was garnering favorable notice in the international independent press. They signed to
Wharf Cat for 2013's All Get Out, a set that featured a guest appearance by saxophonist Danny Fisher-Lochhead and also marked the first appearance -- also in a guest role -- of synthesizer player Brandon Evans.
Broderick and Markham focused on reflecting the band's live persona on a recording and adding to the force of their attack. Evans and bassist Keith Lamiell (both native Virginians) came on board, and second drummer Adam Bugalsem (who, along with Markham is a member of
the Holy Sons and
Dommengang) was added. This quintet rehearsed for a year, and played a few select shows before recording Mosaic for
Wharf Cat. It was released in the early summer of 2015 and followed by a tour. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi