Lights Out Asia

Lights Out Asia is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based post-rock and Electronic band that formed in February 2003. Lights Out Asia is an electronic musical project that formed in February 2003 when Chris Schafer and Mike Ystad, themselves members of Aurore Rien, decided to abandon the traditional post-rock band concept of their previous group and explore the intersection of post-rock, electronic and ambient music. In a short period, the two had written enough material for a full length album. This work would be come to be known as 'Garmonia', Lights Out Asia's first documented recording as a band. 'Garmonia' was released on the Sun Sea Sky Productions label in 2004 to favorable reviews. Shortly after the release of 'Garmonia,' Lights Out Asia added bassist/guitarist Mike Rush to the lineup. The band was signed to electronic label n5MD in 2007, and has released three albums on that imprint, as well as several remixes and contributions to the Chicago-based electronic/industrial label Tympanik. The band is currently working on a follow-up to 2010's 'In the Days of Jupiter.' The band is known for their blending of synthesized atmospheres, samples and electronic beats with tracks of effects-laden delayed guitars. Chris Schafer's vocals are often mixed low, treated almost as another instrument, akin to dream-pop or shoegazing arrangements.