Captains Of Entropy

BIOGRAPHY

Fate, creativity, and a license to chill make up the DNA of this instrumental groove marvel. In just a few short years, this tight-knit trio has pushed the limits of rhythm and harmony, crafting richly textured, enchanting soundscapes as eccentric and sun-soaked as their West LA stomping grounds. When keyboardist Mike Kanon, bassist Reilly Wareham, and drummer Jason Young first met as neighbors, starting a band was the furthest thing from their minds. When the pandemic threw the world into disarray, their garage jam sessions became both a refuge and a creative lifeline. Their improvisational jams soon evolved into original material beaming with playfulness, curiosity, and wonder. By the time masks came off and interconnected life resumed, the group was perfectly poised to invite the world into their sanctuary.

In comes Captains Of Entropy: United by a love for improvisation, the playful nature of spaghetti western soundtracks and other textile-based media, the trio draws from across the musical spectrum: Young spent 15 years as a core member of indie rock staple The Ruse and now leads the kaleidoscopic solo project Heartour. Kanon brings an experienced background as a DJ, and psychotherapist Wareham contributes a creative fervour that fuels their dauntless journeys without words. The result is a body of work woven with classic rock, jazz fusion, psychedelia and so much more. Nonchalant and nonconformist, cinematic and ponderous, the sound of Captains of Entropy has evolved into something more intricate and explorative than merely stand-alone instrumental tracks–something pensive, inquisitive and even daring.

With Captains of Entropy’s upcoming EP Beatrice Comes Home, the trio made their first attempt to create a fuller narrative-based emotional arc, taking the music beyond free-flowing improvisations by fine-dialing their sound at the legendary EastWest Studios. Each recording session found the band trekking across the city of Los Angeles from West LA to sunny Hollywood, basking in the mystique and–entropy–offered up by the city. Upon arrival, they were then reminded of the lingering fables of musical legends (The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and so many more) who graced the same studios in not so distant history. The result is a hero journey-like body of work that modulates through frenzies of ride cymbals, rumbling bass-driven funk and glitchy electric guitar riffs.

EP opener “On Juno” sets the scene with a steady pace and an almost deceiving meditative groove. “Infection” switches up with a sense of lingering unease carefully curated through cascading synth and a literally-infectious guitar build. “Rosetta” feels like the EP’s catalyst, filled with metamorphosizing moments perfected with a glitchy, digitized production. “Travelin’” takes on a more psychedelic, jazzy approach, making “Van Knees” an even more satisfying emotional closer to the project. While this project still echoes the rogue spirit of influences Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Headhunters, Medeski Martin & Wood, Phish, and more, there’s a newfound sense of control balanced with a lightheartedness absent from the band’s pandemic-era work.

Looking onward, the Captains are ready to get even more adventurous and experiment with more out-of-left-field genres and sounds. While Beatrice Comes Home would certainly make a fun soundtrack for an afternoon ride down Mulholland Drive, the road only gets bumpier, more amusing from here.

CONTACT

Gomi Zhou
gomi@bighassle.com