Stinky Artists

guitars, Andy Wagner on guitars and keyboards, Michael Bruce on bass, and Sam Coe on drums. Evocative of early Pink Floyd, T. Rex, The Dandy Warhols, The Stooges, Mercury Rev and even The Doors, Low Flying Owls’ musical oeuvre was the intersection at which British shoegazer rock and California psychedelic pop meet, their music a “beautifully crafted sonic landscape” (CMJ New Music Report).

Low Flying Owls’ critically-embraced “Take The Scenic Route” album, released in 2002, marked the band's first full-length release, followed by the release of a self-titled EP, both self-released through The Americans Are Coming Records. Then, in early 2003, singles label Isota Records released a 7” special limited edition single featuring a Low Flying Owls track called “Georgie Shot Johnnie”, taken from Low Flying Owls’ first album for Stinky Records, “Elixir Vitae”.

Released in North America on Stinky Records in August 2003, “Elixir Vitae” marked Low Flying Owls’ national album debut. The album showcases frontman Southard’s lyrical penchant for approaching morbid subject matter with an ironic, satirical twist -- which Southard describes as a sort of “dark happiness” – and marrying this approach with a musical mélange of explosive guitar-driven rock, British-influenced pop and swirling psychedelic grooves. Ranging from the eerie yet epic “Looks of A Killer”, to the balls-out rock & roll groove of “Glad To Be Alive”, to the twisted romanticism of “Strange Connection”, to the dark odyssey of “Mama Said”, to the Beatles-esque grandeur of “Georgie Shot Johnnie”, “Elixir Vitae” is hypnotic and richly textured, its lush and complex melodies complimented by idiosyncratic and irreverent lyrics that would do psychedelic rock icons Syd Barrett and Roky Erickson proud. Not only did “Elixir Vitae” garner widespread critical acclaim and college radio play, but Low Flying Owls’ track “Glad To Be Alive” was heard in an episode of the television series “The Sopranos” (in a scene at the Bada-Bing, no less!), as well as in a national Nissan car commercial campaign. And, across the pond, legendary UK DJ Steve Lamacq spun their record on his influential BBC1 program.

In support of “Elixir Vitae”, Low Flying Owls toured relentlessly throughout 2004, with highlights including a sold-out show at the South By Southwest Music Festival, where the band “wowed the crowd” (LiveDaily.com), Spring 2004 tours with Clinic and with legendary UK band The Fall, a month-long club residency at uber-hipster Los Angeles venue Spaceland in June, and, finally, a a triumphant, sold-out show at the CMJ Music Festival.

Following a relocation by Southard and Wagner from Sacramento, CA to Los Angeles, CA, Low Flying Owls decided to call it a day. Southard and Wagner recently formed the Los Angeles-based band called Strangers Smile. For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/strangerssmile.