Twins Josh and Jesse Hasko traveled all over North America for two years before they moved to New Mexico in 2006 and formed the instrumental band North America.
"Now that we are in the desert, we feel that it subconsciously affects our music," Josh said. "A lot of our music is based on a really blissful, very simplistic mood."
Lionhead Bunny and Chicago-based band Pillars and Tongues will open for North America on Sept. 22 at the Stove, at 114 Morningside Drive N.E.
Josh and Jesse spent their trip hanging out at campsites, drawing and playing the guitar.
"After a while, I forced Jesse to buy a drum set so that I would have someone to play with," Josh said. "I like to think that I forced my brother to bust out, to hone his artistic talents. Now, while he plays the drums, I either play the guitar or use samplers to thicken our sound."
They experiment with psychedelic rock and down-tempo dance elements.
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"All of our bands are looking to create something different," guitarist Josh Hasko said. "All of us have struck up a sweet friendship, and I think that with our camaraderie showing through at the concert, we are going to have an awesome show."
Pillars and Tongues, a three-member band, incorporates a gospel-trance vibe to its ambient pieces. Lionhead Bunny, a two-member band, keeps its music close to ambience, too.
"There are a whole lot of styles circling through our bands," Pillars and Tongues drummer Mark Trecka said. "There certainly are elements of ambient, soul and jazz in our music. We are really influenced by devotional music from many different cultures. (Bassist) Evan Hydzik and I listen to a lot of African and spiritual jazz from the '70s."
Members of Pillars and Tongues, who have been touring the country since Sept. 4 and will do so until Thanksgiving, said they love the diversity of their audiences.
"Given our style of music, the context of our venues are important," said Trecka. "We play at colleges, the occasional bar scene - all over the place. We are really excited to be playing second in line at the Stove Gallery. Being cushioned in between North America and Lionhead Bunny will be really interesting."
Pillars and Tongues will be releasing its album Protection in October. North America recently released a single called "Wood" on MySpace.com.
"I think that all of us have played a lot of shows," said Josh Hasko. "We are all pushing ourselves in terms of production these days. We have lots of good material and are now trying to pull it all together."
