Explosions In The Sky
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Explosions in the Sky is an American post-rock band formed in Austin, Texas in 1999, renowned for their elaborately developed guitar work and emotionally powerful instrumental compositions. The band is a quartet composed of drummer Chris Hrasky from Rockford, Illinois, and guitarist/keyboardists Michael James, Munaf Rayani, and Mark Smith, all of whom hail from Midland, Texas. Originally performing under the name Breaker Morant, they changed to Explosions in the Sky in 1999, a name inspired by a comment Hrasky made about fireworks after they played their first set and recorded their first track, "Remember Me as a Time of Day."
The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their narratively styled instrumentals—which they refer to as "cathartic mini-symphonies"—and their transcendent live shows. They primarily play with three electric guitars and a drum kit, though James occasionally exchanges his electric guitar for bass, and all three guitarists add additional keyboard and synthesizer parts. This multi-instrumental approach creates their signature expansive, cinematic sound.
The band released "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" in 2003, which is generally considered their most famous album and a landmark in post-rock music. After being contacted by Brian Reitzell, Explosions in the Sky wrote the acclaimed soundtrack for the 2004 film "Friday Night Lights," which introduced their music to a wider audience. The band has released eight studio albums to date, with their most recent, "End," released in September 2023, continuing their tradition of creating wordless music that speaks volumes through pure instrumental emotion.