Airiel

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Airiel is an American shoegaze band from Chicago, Illinois, characterized by their melodic take on the shoegaze style.

Biography

Airiel was formed as Airiel Project One in 1997, in Bloomington, Indiana, by Jeremy Wrenn and former bandmate Shawn Delaney. This followed the break-up of Wrenn's previous shoegaze band, Black Olive, that released one CD called Verge. Airiel are currently signed to Highwheel Records, an independent record label.

Airiel released a series of EPs through Clairecords which were later re-released as a box-set entitled Winks and Kisses.^[1] In 2005, Airiel released their self-titled EP independently, and toured the eastern United States.^[2] Losing Today Magazine (Italy) wrote of the self-titled EP:

Chicago's Airiel have a tradition of releasing fine EPs (having released six to date), and this self-titled release continues that tradition with four tracks of newgazer bliss (two of which, "500 Deep" and "Kiss Me Sadly" are updates of earlier songs). Since starting earlier this decade, Airiel have developed a great Ride-esque dynamic interplay between instruments and a keen sense of songwriting, that allows their songs to stand side by side with the groups that inspired them. Their talent for beautiful and skillful songs is put on proud display in the EP opener "500 Deep" and continues through each of the EPs four songs. So, now that Airiel have established their ability to release good EPs, it's time for a full length album, no?

In 2007, the band recorded their debut full-length, The Battle of Sealand, which was released on Highwheel Records in August of that year.^[3][4]

Sealand

In honor of their contribution to the culture of The Principality of Sealand, a micronation, all the members of the band have been named official lords of Sealand [1], and were slated to be the first rock band to play a concert in the nation. This concert was to be broadcast live over the internet. [2] [3] In an email interview, Guitarist Chris DeBrizzio said that the concert would not in fact take place. DeBrizzio cited Sealand being unorganized and expecting Airiel to pay for their trip over as their reason for pulling out.^{[citation needed]}

Wrenn and DeBrizzio parted ways with Osborne and Rungger in late 2007. The band relocated to Bridgeport, a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago shortly thereafter. Airiel toured the UK and Ireland in April 2008 with Ulrich Schnauss. Schnauss had also contributed to The Battle of Sealand, on the track "Sugar Crystals".^[5]

Members

Current members

• Jeremy Wrenn - vocals, guitar
• Andrew Marrah - guitar
• Chase Johnson - bass guitar, synthesizers
• Spencer Kiss - drums

Former members

• Chris DeBrizzio - guitar
• Mikey Pinaud- drums
• Cory Osborne - bass, vocals
• Andrew Puricelli - bass, vocals
• John Rungger - drum
• Zeeshan Abbasi - guitar
• Shaun Mendez - drums, vocals

Discography

EPs

1. Winks & Kisses: Frosted (2003)
2. Winks & Kisses: Dizzy (2003)
3. Winks & Kisses: Melted (2004)
4. Winks & Kisses: Crackled (2004)
5. Airiel EP (2005)
6. Kid Games (2012)

LPs

1. The Battle of Sealand (2007)

Compilations

• Welcome to The Future (Highwheel Records Comp Featuring the song "Peoria") (2006)
• Never Lose That Feeling (Club AC30 Comp Featuring the song "Blowin Cool") (2006)

References

1. ^ Shoegaze Was Always Meant to Be Loud. Chicago Daily Herald, August 24, 2007.
2. ^ Biography at Allmusic.com
3. ^ Review, Pitchfork Media
4. ^ Review, Orlando Weekly, August 23, 2007.
5. ^ Review, Stylus Magazine

External links

• Airiel's official site
• Airiel's Myspace site