Manchester Orchestra

by Corey Apar As led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Andy Hull, the maturity of Manchester Orchestra's songwriting belied the fact that the bandmembers were barely legal when their group came into existence. Based in Atlanta, GA, the indie rock outfit grew out of songs that Hull had begun writing while a junior in high school. Encouraged by positive response, he opted for home schooling senior year to be able to spend as much time as possible in the studio writing and recording. Friends started collaborating with him over time, and Manchester Orchestra soon solidified into a trio filled out by bassist Jonathan Corley and drummer Jeremiah Edmond. Hull's songwriting had noticeably progressed with the addition of his friends, and at that point, the decision was made to trim their growing album down to only five songs for an EP release. You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, But Brilliance Needs a Good Editor thus appeared in 2005 through the band's own Favorite Gentlemen Recordings. With the EP out, Manchester Orchestra began playing shows around the Southeast and added keyboardist Chris Freeman into the mix along the way. Their record turned heads in and around Atlanta, and also started making a stir beyond the city limits. The guys were invited to play slots at the South by Southwest and Lollapalooza festivals in 2006 before work on their full-length album began that summer; the resulting I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child was issued by the year's end. The record proved to be a poignant collection of memorable hooks and thoughtful narratives that showcased a similar style to acts like the Weakerthans and Death Cab for Cutie. Eventually, studio intern-turned-guitarist Robert McDowell joined on permanently, and as a steady buzz continued to grow, especially on Internet blogs, Manchester Orchestra snagged an opening spot on Brand New's largely sold-out spring 2007 tour.