Airiel

Infobox musical artist
Name = Airiel


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Chicago/Illinois/United States
Genre = Psychedelic rock
Shoegaze
Noise
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = Highwheel, Clairecords Roisin
Associated_acts = Bloodfalcon
URL = [http://www.airiel.com airiel]
Current_members = Jeremy Wrenn
Chris DeBrizzio
Andrew Puricelli
MP Lovechilde

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

Biography

Airiel was formed 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". In 2005, Airiel released their self-titled EP independently, and toured the eastern United States. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0pfrxqldldhe~T1 Biography] at Allmusic.com] 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.

ealand

In honor of their contribution to the culture of the micronation Sealand, all the members of the band have been named official lords of Sealand [http://www.sealandnews.com/airiel-are-now-lords-of-sealand_157.html] ,and are slated to be the first rock band to play a concert in the nation. This concert will be broadcasted live over the internet. [http://www.sealandnews.com/literally-rocking-sealand_162.html] [http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=33961&hilite=] In an email interview, Guitarist Chris DeBrizzio said that the concert would not in fact be taking place. DeBrizzio cited Sealand being unorganized and expecting Airiel to pay for their trip over as their reason for pulling out.

Live

Airel has been known for their excruciatingly loud live shows. Wrenn and DeBrizzio have both been cited in interviews stating that Airiel is almost unbearable in concert on purpose. Although airiel would never laud their concerts as simply being loud for the sake of loud, they have never apologized for their painful loud setting. The addition of MP Lovechilde and Andrew Puriclli has introduced the band to an electronic element never before seen.

2008 and beyond

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 will make their first trip to the UK and Ireland in April 2008 for a 10 date tour with Ulrich Schnauss. They are to break ground on the follow up to The Battle of Sealand afterwards.

Members

;Current members
*Jeremy Wrenn - vocals, guitar
*Chris DeBrizzio - guitar
*Andrew Puricelli - bass, vocals
*Mikey Pinaud- drums

;Former members
*Cory Osborne - bass, vocals
*John Rungger - drums

Discography

EPs

#"Frosted" (2003)
#"Dizzy" (2003)
#"Melted" (2004)
#"Crackled" (2004)
#"Airiel EP" (2005)

LPs

#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

External links

* [http://www.airiel.com Airiel's official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/airiel Airiel's Myspace site]