Album Notes

amphora blends textures and sounds that both soothe and create tension depending on the mood of the song. The band has a strong belief in variety and it shows in the music. Influenced by all types of rock and electronic music from David Bowie and the Doors to Radiohead, Sigur Ros, and NIN, the sounds are dreamy but catchy and songs are written with continuity and focus.

amphora began in early 2002 as a new musical venture for guitarist Ian Watts and drummer Crist Giotes. As their last band dissolved, the two decided to adopt a more experimental style and set out to find a vocalist who could grow with the sound. During the next year they wrote songs and auditioned vocalists. It took the better part of that year to find Michael Grofe. He had recently come to Sacramento from San Francisco where he had been working with various bands for the last seven years. Michael had the style and personality that was necessary to form the core of amphora based in tension and beauty with common sense in song writing. The band continued as a trio for only a short while before running into bassist Ryan Armes (better known to most as "Squeak"). Ryan left the band to pursue other projects and George Katz came in to fill the position. After almost a year of writing songs and recording, amphora's debate about adding another member was resolved when Ian met keyboardist Adam Rice. Adam added the decorative texture that makes the music three-dimensional and blends the vocals to the bottom end. amphora now has released their first EP "Iconography" available now!