By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

It’s truly a glory when you find a band that is not only fronted by exceptional musicians and awesome music, but when that music is empowered by a genuine connection to the human spirit. The human spirit is as gorgeous as it is complicated, and the same could be said for the up and coming, deliriously rad band, a’tris.

Not familiar? Then do yourself a treat by tuning in. Saying that they’re a straight-laced indie rock wouldn’t do the band justice, as the music is far too smooth and elaborate to be typecasted. Listening to a’tris is like a fleeting but nourishing experience, like being struck with some special moment that only lasts for a few seconds, but changes the colour of everything around you. The strong, crooning vocals are a splice of audio magic, matching well with the raw skill found in the instrumental accompaniments.

Each member of the band forms a piece of the musical puzzle, individually contributing to the cornucopia of strange splendor. a’tris has a deep, moody vibe, accentuated by the uniqueness of their voices and the fabulous underbeat thrumming through them all.

Their most recent album, Lensing, released in 2008, is full of professional potential. All of their songs, particularly ones such as Light and Shadows or Automatic Doors, create a sense of eerie wonderment, as if the music is literally peeling back a part of your mind that you didn’t know existed. It seems that there is nothing entirely definable about it, and that is what makes it such a treasure to listen to. There is something really special about a song or an album when you can make it your own.

The explorative edge doesn’t stop with their music; even their name continues on the same trek of interpretive philosophy. As Nate Lueck, (who plays both guitar and bass for the group), puts it, “People often ask what our name means–remember 10 years ago when the word Google didn’t really mean anything? Now, it’s a noun, a verb, a concept, a tool…that’s the intent of our name; a word to which people assign their own meaning, with no right or wrong interpretation.”

This band realizes that in both life and music, the only way to truly be free is if you let yourself look at the world from every angle, no matter how strange or impossible it may seem. The only way to be completely happy is to know your insides through and through, and to accept that those insides will be constantly changing, like how water is constantly moving. It seems they really live by this, and it’s clear in their music. Nate goes on to say, “I think people are so used to being told what is popular or ‘right’ according to the current style, and we really want to break that habit, to get people to be more critical about how they think and what they listen to.”

Obviously, these fellas aren’t driving with their eyes closed; they are committed to knowing, learning, and guiding others to do the same. Pair that with their outstanding talent and piercing sound, and what do you have to lose?

Go on, give in to the awesome.

Automatic Doors from AirPlay Direct on Vimeo.

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