Album Notes

Modulator is a five-member band from Houston, Texas that combines American guitar rock with European synth-pop. By mining influences such as 60s lounge, 70s progressive and punk rock, 80s new wave and 90s indie rock, the band performs an energetic musical mix that manages to be both familiar and fresh at the same time.

Most recently, Modulator entered into Jaggo Studios in Los Angeles to record their "Don't hold out on me" three-song EP with producer (Suede, Pulp, Stabbing Westward, Steve Burns) and ex-Psychedelic Furs keyboardist Ed Buller.

Modulator's music begins with lead singer and keyboardist Julie Omran. With her cool, lucid vocals and roaming synthesizer melodies, Omran creates songs that often use modern technology (computers, space travel) as a metaphor for human relationships. The rest of the band bring their respective talents and influences to flesh out Omran's compositions. Keyboardist and backup singer Jennifer Mergele provides spare electric-piano chords and delicate vocal harmonies. Guitarist Rob Smith brings a punchy, neurotic crunch. Bassist Tom Lively and drummer Randy Zamora form a limber rhythm section that can groove, swing or rock out. Together, Modulator crafts richly-arranged songs about love and heartbreak.

Forming in late 1999, Modulator took time to perfect its sound and to establish itself as one of Houston's best live bands. In October 2001, the band released an eponymous, four-song EP, which immediately received praise and airplay on radio stations across the country. Modulator has since played with a number of national acts, including Berlin, Nico Case and the New Pornographers, Steve Burns, the Starlight Mints, the Electric Six and Junior Senior.