The earliest incarnations of Solo the Master began in Birmingham, Alabama in 1996 when Peter and Ben met and decided to form a band. That project, dubbed The Lorelei Quartet, took its course and eventually went the way of most high school bands, but their creative chemistry has drawn them back into collaboration ever since. In 2003, Peter moved from Birmingham to Austin, TX to pursue music in a city more immersed in it. Ben followed shortly. After several months spent writing and honing their style, they were joined by Fernando, a longtime drummer from Austin bands such as X-Ray Eyes.
Originally influenced by the sounds of such early 90’s bands as Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, Solo the Master has followed their musical tastes through the Pavement and Modest Mouse eras of indie rock to the electronic styles of Boards of Canada and the harder-edge sounds of System of a Down and Tool. Today their music has come full circle, but everything in between plays a role in the songs they write – a sound that has been described as “the soul of Seattle grunge through the eyes of modern indie rock”.
The members of Solo the Master bring a perspective to their writing that results in a sound both accessible and artistic, layered but not obscure. In the past, they have focused their musical drive on creating a formidable library of recordings, and the current band adds a powerful and energetic live show to their extensive studio experience. With their rhythm section firmly in place, the band is eager to extend themselves into the live arena in Austin as well, and they plan to expand their reach at every opportunity.
