Battles (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Battles

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Img_capt = Battles at the 2008 Moers Festival. From left to right: Ian Williams, John Stanier, Dave Konopka, Tyondai Braxton
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = New York City, U.S.
Genre = Experimental rock
Math rock
Post-rock
Progressive rock
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Warp
Associated_acts = Helmet
Storm & Stress
Tomahawk
Don Caballero
URL = [http://www.bttls.com www.bttls.com]
Current_members = Ian Williams
John Stanier
Dave Konopka
Tyondai Braxton
Past_members =

Battles is a critically acclaimed American experimental rock band. The band's line-up includes ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier, ex-Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams, ex-Lynx guitarist Dave Konopka, and Tyondai Braxton (son of avant-garde jazz musician Anthony Braxton), who also plays guitar and keyboard and creates live voice samples.

Biography

Following a string of EPs, the band released their debut album on the Warp Records label in February 2006, which was titled "EP C / B EP". It is a compilation of their increasingly hard-to-find early releases, "EP C", "B EP" and the single "Tras".

Their first full-length album "Mirrored", recorded by Keith Souza at [http://www.machineswithmagnets.com Machines with Magnets] , was released on May 14, 2007. The album received positive reviews and appeared on several top album lists for 2007.

The first single from the album, "Atlas," was released on February 21, 2007 as streaming audio, and the accompanying streaming video was released on February 28, 2007.It was voted "Best Single of the Week" by "NME" magazine [ [http://www.nme.com/reviews/battles/8415 Battles - Battles - Track Reviews - NME.COM ] ] , and received a glowing review in the British "Clash Magazine", as well as ranking at number one in the second Dandelion Radio Festive Fifty. The song was performed by the band on BBC television's Later With Jools Holland in November 2007.

Battles released a streaming video for the track "Tonto", in which they collaborated with celebrated lights artists UVA (United Visual Artists). The accompanying single was released in late 2007.

Battles scored their first UK cover feature in April 2007, talking to "The Skinny" magazine about the making of "Mirrored".

Members

*Tyondai Braxton - guitar, keyboards, vocals
*Dave Konopka – bass, guitar, effects
*Ian Williams – guitar, keyboards
*John Stanier – drums

Discography

Albums:
* "Mirrored" (Warp Records, May 2007) - #70 (UK)

EPs:
* "EP C" (Monitor Records, June 2004)
* "B EP" (Dim Mak Records, September 2004)
* "EPC (The EP)(JAPAN ONLY special mix edition)" (Dotlinecircle, October 2004)
* EP C / B EP" (Warp Records, February 2006)
* "Tonto+" (Warp Records, October 22 2007 World, November 6 2007 USA)

Singles:
* "Tras" (June 2004, 12")
* "Atlas" (April 2007, 12")
* "Tonto" (October 2007)

References

External links

* [http://bttls.com/ Official Battles website]
*
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* [http://wannabes.be/artiest/battles// Live pictures of Battles]
* [http://www.tinymixtapes.com/Battles,4689 Interview on Tiny Mix Tapes ]
* [http://www.ignoremagazine.com/features/battles/index.html Interview/Photos with ignore Magazine]
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* [http://www.hatesomethingbeautiful.com/?p=926 Interview] from Hate Something Beautiful
* [http://www.ignoremagazine.com/qualitysmack/index.php/2007/08/15/hell-up-in-hassee-more-battles/ Concert photos]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/features/story/0,,2081826,00.html 'Musical Mathletes' The Guardian Interview May 19 2007]