Battles

Battles emerged in 2002 from New York City, founded by guitarist/keyboardist Ian Williams, who previously contributed to Don Caballero and Storm & Stress. The initial lineup also included drummer John Stanier, formerly of Helmet; composer/vocalist Tyondai Braxton; and guitarist/bassist Dave Konopka. The band quickly garnered attention for their distinctive blend of experimental rock, math rock, and electronic influences. Their early recordings, including EPs such as ‘EP C’ and ‘B EP,’ were compiled and released as ‘EP C / B EP’ in 2006 after signing with Warp Records.

The group’s debut studio album, ‘Mirrored,’ released in 2007, was met with critical acclaim, with publications like Pitchfork highlighting their innovative approach to integrating electronic elements with traditional band instrumentation. The album’s lead single, ‘Atlas,’ achieved recognition, including NME’s Single of the Week. Battles’ music found its way into various media, including the video game ‘LittleBigPlanet’ and soundtracks for films like ‘Twilight Saga: Eclipse.’ Over the years, Battles has toured extensively, including performances at renowned events such as the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival and appearances on BBC television.

Following Braxton’s departure in 2010 and Konopka’s in 2018, Battles continued as a duo comprising Williams and Stanier. This period saw the release of ‘Gloss Drop’ in 2011, which featured collaborations with artists such as Gary Numan, and ‘La Di Da Di’ in 2015. Their most recent album, ‘Juice B Crypts,’ released in 2019, further showcased their collaborative spirit with contributions from Shabazz Palaces and Jon Anderson of Yes, among others. The band remains active, undertaking tours and opening for other notable acts.