Pittsburgh’s Knot Feeder is comprised of bassist Andy Curl, guitarist Mike Banfield (ex-Don Caballero), guitarist Andrew Grossmann (ex-Tabula Rasa) and drummer and vocalist Rob Spagiare (ex-Tabula Rasa). Formed in 2006, this four-piece primarily instrumental band immediately began to develop notoriety locally and on the East Coast by enveloping live audiences in a mathematic overflow of expression and energy. Sharing stages with the likes of Battles, The Poison Arrows, and Tone, Knot Feeder rapidly developed a name for themselves and an album’s worth of material.

Light Flares is an ambitious recorded debut documented by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Against Me!, Murder by Death) at The Magpie Cage studio in Baltimore, MD. Technicality is intertwined with complex melody on this 13-song album clocking in at over 48 minutes. The album ebbs and flows in its series of compositions featuring thoughtful instrumentals that on occasion veer into an unexpected territory with the addition of vocals by drummer Rob Spagiare. Additional elements like abstract loops and the cello playing of Gordon Withers make this debut a powerful and captivating listen. Light Flares is co-released on March 10, 2009 by the band’s Strings & Hammers Recordings and Chicago’s File Thirteen Records on CD and digitally. Look for plenty of live performances to follow the album’s availability.

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