Album Notes

"[These] songs don't unfold; they glide along. Some prompt you to dance a little, while others are perfect soundtracks for chilling out. The high-quality musicianship, though, always begs to be heard." -- James Reed, Boston Globe.

AMUN RA is a Boston-based rock band blending soulful pop songwriting with breakbeats and electronica. The music mixes lush melodies, swarthy jazz breakdowns, and frenetic drum'n'bass beats to create a passionate melange of crowd moving electro-rock. The work follows the modern-day musical tradition that has been established by the likes of Stereolab, U2, Thievery Corporation and Boston underground heroes, Club d'Elf.

AMUN RA was founded in mid-2002, and consists of veteran drummer Ed Arnold, bassist Nate Horney, Neil Larson on synthesizers, guitarist Misha Rutman, and vocalist Emily Shirley whose electrifying presence and heart-stopping voice have left audiences reeling from Boston to NYC to Burlington, VT. AMUN RA has built an enthusiastic following among Northeast music fans that come back again and again for their energetic performances.

In 2003 the band had released their debut CD aptly titled "Bloom." The CD earned praise from both critics and music fans, and after repetitive stops across New England and a highly successful radio push the initial pressing has sold out. The album is currently spinning on a number of college and AAA radio stations such as, WFNX, WERS, WMBR, and WMFO. Their sophomore effort, recorded and co-produced by Brian Knoth at Theta State Studios, is nearing completion and is slated for a fall '05 release. The new album, titled "A Thousand Ticking Clocks", showcases the more driving and dance-oriented side of AMUN RA. It bends and sings and never lets up on the beat.

In 2004 the Boston Globe named AMUN RA one of four up-and-coming bands to see live. While AMUN RA has only been together for two short years, its mailing list has grown to nearly 1000 fans. AMUN RA keeps a steady gigging schedule in the Northeast, and continues to win new fans in the Boston area venues such as the Lizard Lounge and The Middle East, in New York City's Lion's Den, Brooklyn's Stinger Club, as well as other venues across New England.

AMUN RA has played over 100 live shows in it's two year existence while sharing the stage with other notable Boston bands such as Moonraker, Lovewhip, Emergency Music, Superhoney, Nikulydin, Fluttr Effect and many others. AMUN RA has also performed around New England with some esteemed national acts, such as Melvin Sparks, Cyro Baptista's Beat the Donkey (Trey Anastasio, Paul Simon), Aaron Katz (Percy Hill), Sam Kininger (Soulive), Mister Rourke (Soulive, Club d'Elf).